Bluegill fishing at Lake Jacksonville

In spring, bluegill run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. They move out to 4 to 15 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 25 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring bluegill. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig gets it done.

Channel Catfish fishing at Lake Jacksonville

Spring channel catfish on Lake Jacksonville hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 11 to 36 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 31 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in winter. Best bite is after dark and the evening.

Common Carp fishing at Lake Jacksonville

In spring, common carp run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 3 to 15 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 30 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for common carp in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.

Crappie fishing at Lake Jacksonville

Start shallow in spring: crappie sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 10 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 31 ft that scores prime in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Lake Jacksonville

Spring largemouth bass on Lake Jacksonville hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait gets it done.

Striped Bass fishing at Lake Jacksonville

Spring striped bass on Lake Jacksonville hold shallow, usually 5 to 20 ft. They move out to 11 to 36 ft in summer and finish the year down in 11 to 36 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 31 ft, rated prime for summer striped bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A flutter spoon (deep) or a umbrella rig (trolled) covers the summer program.

How deep is Lake Jacksonville?

Lake Jacksonville is about 36 ft (11 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Lake Jacksonville?

Anglers target largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, striped bass, white bass & hybrids, common carp on Lake Jacksonville.

Where is the best fishing spot on Lake Jacksonville?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for bluegill in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Lake Jacksonville?

For bluegill, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.