Florida Freshwater Fisheries Offices--Lake City, North Central Region

NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL FISHERIES OFFICE, LAKE CITY

North Central Region Headquarters
3377 E. US Highway 90, Lake City, FL 32055

Phone: 386/758-0525
Fax: 386/758-0533
Manager: Mr. Allen Martin
Email: allen.martin@MyFWC.com

The Regional Office is responsible for general fisheries management in their designated counties (See map for counties, clicking on a region will display the list of Fish Management Areas). Personnel have a general knowledge of all fisheries in the region with more specific management responsibilities for Fish Management Areas in their region. The Jacksonville Urban Pond Project is a major project of this region.

OVERVIEW
The Lake City regional fisheries office is responsible for managing all of the fisheries in the northcentral region of the state that are not specifically covered by a management team. Regional offices also have a primary role in serving as focal points for contact with the public, and as such provide advice on pond management, fish kills, fishing opportunities and so forth.

The Lake City office is responsible for numerous fish management areas. They do most of the Commission's coordination work with the Suwannee Water Management District, as it pertains to fisheries.

The following maps are available showing features of local fishing areas, see also our fishing sites/forecasts page: Camp Blanding (Lowry & Magnolia), Lang Lake, Lake Lochloosa, Lake Montgomery, Lake Newnans, Ocean Pond, Orange Lake, Lake Sampson, Suwannee Lake, and Watertown Lake.

Jacksonville Urban Pond Program
Students receive instructions about fish, fishing and fisheries stewardship The Jacksonville Urban Pond is the oldest of the Commission's four community-based fisheries projects. It is supported by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration funds and won National Recognition as the best Sport Fish Restoration project in the country in 1990 for its pioneering efforts.

The program provides both excellent fishing opportunities--as many as 2000 hours per acre per year of fishing (compared to about 30-50 hours per acre per year on a large natural lake), and a location to teach kids and adults about fish, fishing and fisheries stewardship. Ponds are intensively managed with , aeration, stocking, feeders, regulation management and access enhancement. (See brochure in Adobe Acrobat format. Visit our fisheries publications page if you need instructions on using Acrobat files.)

The Project Leader participates in a weekly talk show (AM 1010XL Jax Sports Radio)) on Saturday mornings to inform constituents with fishing forecast and information about other fish & wildlife issues. A weekly forecast is also available on the Outdoors Show web site.

The JUPP now offers free use of fishing equipment (including the rod trailer if the event is large enough) for freshwater (equipment not designed for saltwater) fishing events. Groups of 25-or-more can borrow rods, extra tackle and distribute education packets to conduct their own derbies, or fishing events. This service is being offered on days when there are no JUPP events, and not during clinic months (June through mid-August). Contact Steve Lopez for details (Phone: 904/573-4918; 6134 Authority Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32221).

For fishing derbies and other events throughout the state visit our "events" calendar.

You can view this as an interactive Google Earth FMA Map directly by clicking this link. (If you do not have "Google Earth" installed, you will need to download this freeware program from Google).

Bethesda Park: From I-10 and I-295 go north on I-295 to Dunn Ave. Go east (rig Some high quality fish exist in these ponds due to intensive management. ht) on Dunn Ave. to Key Haven Blvd., turn right, park at the end of the road.

Bethesda Park has largemouth bass, bream, channel catfish, bullhead, black crappie and sunshine bass. There is a boat ramp, restrooms, a handicap accessible fishing pier, and cabins for rent.

Oceanway: From I-10 and I-295 go north on I-295 to Main Street (SR 17), go north on SR 17 to New Berlin Road. Right onto New Berlin Road to Sago Avenue. Right onto Sago Avenue to park entrance, which is on left at the end of the road.

Oceanway has largemouth bass, bream, and channel catfish. There is a boat ramp, restrooms, and a handicap accessible fishing pier.

Crystal Springs: From I-10 and I-295, go west on I-10 to Chaffee Road, turn south (right) onto Chaffee Road, turn east (left) onto Crystal Springs Road. Park is approximately 2.5 miles on left.

Crystal Springs has bream and channel catfish. There are restrooms, a handicap accessible fishing pier, playground and picnic areas.

Pope Duval East and West: From I-10 and I-295, go west on I-10 to Chaffee Road. Turn north (left) onto Chaffee Road to Beaver Street (SR 90) turn west (left) onto Beaver Street. Park on left approximately four miles from the turn, across from Otis Road.

Pope Duval has largemouth bass, bream, channel catfish, bullhead, and black crappie. There are boat ramps, a handicap accessible fishing pier, and picnic areas.

Huguenot Pond: From I-95 and Atlantic Blvd. go east on Atlantic Blvd. to A1A. Turn south (right) onto A1A, go about eight miles, park on left.

Huguenot has bream, channel catfish, and blue tilapia. There is a fishing pier and playground.

Hanna Park: From I-95 and Atlantic Blvd. go east on Atlantic Blvd. to Mayport Road. Turn north (left) onto Mayport Road to Wonderwood Drive, turn right onto Wonderwood Drive. Park at end of road.

Hanna Park has largemouth bass, bream, channel catfish, black crappie, mullet and sunshine bass. There is a boat ramp, restrooms, a fishing pier, playground, picnic areas, bait shop, water park, beach access and camping area.

St. Augustine Road (North and South): (North or South) exit (#347) on Emerson Rd. Turn West on Emerson to St. Augustine Road. Turn South (left) on St. Augustine Road to Stetson Road. Turn right onto St. Augustine Road, go approximately 5 miles to Stetson Road. Turn right onto Stetson Road and the park is at the end of road on the left.

St. Augustine has largemouth bass, bream, channel catfish, and sunshine bass. There is a restroom, a fishing pier, and a picnic area.

Take Me Fishing.org is a great general information site for recreational anglers and boaters.

Florida Fishing Capital of the World--Great Resources, Responsible Management