Lake George is the second-largest lake in Florida, a wide, shallow bowl on the St. Johns River. Its size means wind and open water — but also acres of grass flats, points, and the river channels running through it.
It's slightly brackish at times, which mixes the fishing up. Largemouth are the main draw, with the lake fishing best when you can find bait and cleaner water on the grass lines.
Known for
- Big open-water grass flats and points
- Largemouth roaming with the shad
- A true big-water Florida experience
Target species
Through the year
Seasonal patterns
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Pre-spawn fish stage on the edges of the flats and around the river mouths — shiners and slow presentations shine.
Spring (Mar–May)
Spawn on protected flats out of the wind; work soft plastics and wacky rigs shallow.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Early topwater on grass, then follow the bait to deeper edges. Mind the wind and afternoon storms on open water.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
Schooling activity as bass push shad — cover water with moving baits along the grass lines.
Boat ramps & access
- Drayton Island Ferry ramp — 122 Drayton Island Ferry Rd, Georgetown (north-end access to Lake George)
- Also reachable via the St. Johns from Georgetown-area ramps; Salt Springs Run enters on the west side
Ramp hours, fees, and conditions can change — confirm locally before you go.
Local tip
Watch the wind forecast. Lake George gets rough fast in open water — plan to fish protected shorelines on breezy days.
Book a guide who fishes itLake George fishing — FAQ
- How big is Lake George in Florida?
- Lake George is the second-largest lake in Florida (after Lake Okeechobee), covering roughly 46,000 acres on the St. Johns River between Putnam, Volusia, Lake, and Marion counties.
- What do you catch in Lake George?
- Largemouth bass are the main target, along with crappie and catfish. Because the lake is slightly brackish at times, the fishing can vary — focus on grass flats, points, and river channels.
- Is Lake George safe to fish in a small boat?
- Lake George is large and open, so it can get rough quickly in wind. On breezy days, fish protected shorelines and watch the forecast; a bigger, seaworthy boat is safer on open water.