FLORIDA FRESHWATER FISHING
LAKE CRESCENT (Flagler & Putnam Counties): This 15,960-acre lake is a tributary of the St. Johns River. Public access to Crescent Lake can be obtained on the west shore off Highway 17 in Crescent City, please see Google map located below for ramp locations..
Lake Crescent fishing for
bluegill and shellcracker is popular during late spring/early
summer as the fish congregate during their
spawn. Largemouth bass
anglers, fish early
mornings and late evening to avoid the heat
during the summer months.
Deeper docks and pilings on Lake Crescent
provide great targets.
Live shiners as well as artificial baits should both be
effective during the winter months.
None of the lakes located off the St John's
river are as unique as Crescent lake.
Situated just a few miles North -East of massive
Lake George.
Crescent lake is approximately 30 square miles
in length of clean water, abundant vegetation
and beautiful scenery. The lake has a good
amount of wildlife, including the majestic bald
eagle. The lakes uniqueness stems from the fact
that it has a large variety of bass fishing
features. Shallow grass, shell beds, sharp
drops, ledges, deep water, pad fields, logs and
cypress trees, creek channels, canals and boat
docks. Crescent lake has them all, no matter
what the pattern or the fishing day provides
there something here for everyone to fish.
Crescent Lake is fed by a large marsh to the
east and two small creeks on its South end. It's
main connection is to the St. Johns River,
approximately six miles to the North, by Dunns
Creek, a twisting, and winding creek, which has
good bass fishing in its own. The water levels
in Crescent are generally effected by the St.
Johns River.
The lake averages about 10 feet deep, with some
sustained areas of 12-16 feet along the lower
West shoreline and a deep 20-30 foot channel
between Crescent and Dead Lake.
One particular 'oddity' about Crescent, which is
sure to make the structure-oriented bass
fishermen sit up and take notice, is the
excellent drop-off that runs parallel to the
shoreline for nearly the entire circumference of
the lake. In general, the bottom topography of
the lake shows a slight tapering out from the
shoreline until a depth of 5-8 feet. Then, in
most locations there is a very rapid descent
into 10-16 feet. There is a little, but not
much. Hydrilla, milfoil and other grasses and
the only lily pad fields of significance are in
the shallow basin. These pad fields are also
productive crappie
locations during the spawning months of February
through March. Local anglers find them schooling
in the open waters just prior to and after the
spawn. But, during the spawn, they will be with
the pads.
For both species of fish, attempt to place the
bait or lures under the structure.
Accommodations,
guide services,
and general lake information is available from
our website.
Other important
links:
http://www.lakecrescent.com/ http://www.floridaconservation.org/fishing/forecast/ner.html#crescent
