Lake Griffin Bass Fishing

Lake Griffin, located in Central Florida's Lake County is approximately 7 miles long and 3 miles wide.  Covering 9,428 acres of water, it is the last lake on the Harris Chain before connecting to the Ocklawaha River flowing north to join the St. Johns River toward Jacksonville.  Lake Griffin is the only Harris Chain lake with controllable water levels. A lock on Haines Creek and a lock at the north end at Moss Bluff allow the Water Authority to control the water flowing into and out of the lake.  The water quality in lake Griffin is generally poorer than Lake Eustis or Lake Harris. This largely under developed lake has seen it's share of problems.  Twenty years ago, a drawdown greatly improved the fishery, but resistance from property owners kept the State from completing the job.  A multimillion dollar dredging project was completed in 2010 to clean out the residential canals and prepare the lake for another drawdown.  Recently, political pressure to hold water in Lake Apopka has caused Lake Griffin's water levels to drop significantly. It looks like Lake Griffin will gets it's much needed draw down one way or another.

Lake Griffin has been the beneficiary of significant bass stocking efforts. Ponds near the Orlando Airport were attracting water birds who were interfering with passenger jet traffic. When the ponds were filled, the resident bass were relocated to Lake Griffin. Some of these bass were quite large with one reportedly exceeding 14 pounds. The State bass hatchery has also been stocking bass in Lake Griffin with significant results. Another interesting development was the opening of two access points into the Emeralda Marsh.   These former vegetable farms are full of hydrilla and added significantly to the bass habitat of the lake.

Where to Fish in Lake Griffin

Currently, most of the reliable bass fishing in Lake Griffin is centered around the lake's canals and backwater areas.  A natural spring in the back of the Lake Griffin State Park feeds clear spring water in the park and surrounding bay, making this area a good choice for bass. Top water fishing directly in the park can be excellent with numerous large fish being taken from there each year. The residential canals around the lake are known for holding bedding bass, some of which are clear enough to sight fish successfully. The canal system leading into the Country Club development of Harbor Hills can be especially good.

Many bass tournaments have been won in the Yale Canal.  Years ago this canal connected Lake Griffin to Lake Yale, but was closed.  The canal is fairly deep and covered with pads and stickups. The water quality in the canal is good and flipping shoreline cover is productive in the spring. One of the openings to Emeralda marsh is located on the north side of this canal.  The other is on the south side of Haines Creek not too far from the entrance to Lake Griffin.  Recently, Emeralda Marsh has had a tendency to top out with hydrilla, making it difficult to fish.  From time to time, the Water Authority treats the hydrilla and when you can get in there the fishing can be excellent.

The grass all around the Treasure Island Peninsula is good flipping water.  The canals hold bedding fish when the water levels allow it.  Bass Fishing on the river sections at the top of Lake Griffin and past the Moss Bluff lock fluctuates from year to year. Some anglers report catching good bass flipping the pads and stickups in this area, but I have not had great success.  The area is far from my regular fishing waters and I really haven't given it a good test.

If you have any questions or comments about the Little Griffin bass fishing, please contact me.