Florida counties
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Fishing in Marion County, Florida
Seat: Ocala. FWC Northeast region.
- 58launches
- 8lakes
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Marion County, Florida
Marion County for anglers
Marion County sits in FWC’s Northeast region; Ocala is the county seat. Census figures give Marion County 1,588 square miles of land and 74 of water. There are 58 open public launches across Marion County: 58 on fresh water, 0 on tidal water.
Marion County has 8 lakes with an FWC fishing page, the largest being Rodman Reservoir. The heaviest freshwater state record from Marion County is a 18.88 pound white catfish caught in 1991.
58public launches
8FWC lakes
10shops and marinas
4rivers with access
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Ramps, lakes and piers in Marion County
FWC boat ramp inventory, pier finder and lake sites, checked October 2026.
Lakes
Lake pages for Marion County
- Rodman Reservoir9,500 acres, 7 ramps, 1,447 TrophyCatch bass
- Lake Weir5,685 acres, 3 ramps, 103 TrophyCatch bass
- Lake Kerr1 ramp
- Lake Rousseau3 ramps, 367 TrophyCatch bass
- Lake Bryant1 ramp
- Halfmoon Lake2 ramps
- Mill Dam Lake1 ramp
- Lake Eaton1 ramp
Launches
Where to launch in Marion County
Inland launches in Marion County (58)
- Blue Run of Dunnellon ParkRainbow River, paddle launch, free, portable toilet
- Carney Island Recreation and Conservation Area Boat RampLake Weir, 6 lane ramp, fee, 80 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Carney Island Recreation and Conservation Area Kayak Launch DockLake Wier, paddle launch, free, 80 trailer spaces
- Carney Island Recreation and Conservation Area Little Lake Wier Kayak Launch BeachLittle Lake Wier, paddle launch, free, 80 trailer spaces
- Dunnellon Centennial Park and Boat RampWithlacoochee River (West Central Florida), 1 lane ramp, fee, 20 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Eureka East Recreation Area – Boat RampOcklawaha River, 1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Eureka West Recreation Area – Boat RampOklawaha River – Rodman Reservoir, 1 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Goldendale Public Boat RampWithlacoochee River (West Central Florida) Lake Rousseau, 1 lane ramp, free, 12 trailer spaces
- Gores Landing Campground and Boat RampOcklawaha River, paddle launch, portable toilet
- Heagy Burry – Orange Lake Boat Ramp ParkOrange Lake, 1 lane ramp, free, 20 trailer spaces, portable toilet, temporarily closed
- Hog Valley Public Boat RampOklawaha River – Rodman Reservoir, 1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces
- Hope Boat Ramp at Sam Phillips Park (Annual Park Pass Required)Lake Weir, 4 lane ramp, fee, 11 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Horseshoe Lake Park Paddlecraft Beach and RentalsHorseshore Lake, paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- KP Hole Marion County Park – Small Boat Ramp & Canoe LaunchRainbow River, 1 lane ramp, fee, flush toilet
- Kiwanis Beach at Albright Park Hand LaunchLake Weir, paddle launch, fee, flush toilet
- Lake Bryant Public Boat RampLake Bryant, 1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Mike's Fish CampOrange Lake, 1 lane ramp, fee, 6 trailer spaces
- Moorehead Park Public Boat RampLake Kerr, 1 lane ramp, free, 20 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Moss Bluff North Public Boat RampOcklawaha River, 1 lane ramp, fee, 10 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Moss Bluff South Public Boat RampOcklawaha River, 1 lane ramp, fee, 12 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Nelsons Outdoor Resort – Boat RampOcklawaha River, 1 lane ramp, free, 5 trailer spaces
- Ocala National Forest – Baptist Lake Canoe AccessBaptist Lake, paddle launch, free
- Ocala National Forest – Bear Hole Canoe and Kayak Access SiteHalfmoon Lake, paddle launch, free
- Ocala National Forest – Buck Lake Recreation Area Primitive Boat RampBuck Lake (Marion County), 1 lane ramp, fee
- Ocala National Forest – Chain-O-Lakes Canoe AccessChain-O-Lakes, 1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
- Ocala National Forest – Doe Lake Recreation Area – Primitive Boat RampDoe Lake, boat ramp, free
- Ocala National Forest – Echo Lake Primitive Boat RampEcho Lake, boat ramp
- Ocala National Forest – Farles Prairie Recreation Area Primitive Boat RampFarles Lake, 1 lane ramp, fee, 4 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Ocala National Forest – Fore Lake Recreation Area – Canoe LaunchFore Lake, paddle launch
- Ocala National Forest – Halfmoon LakeHalfmoon Lake, 1 lane ramp, free, 7 trailer spaces
- Ocala National Forest – Hopkins Prairie Campground Canoe AccessHopkins Prairie Lake, boat ramp
- Ocala National Forest – Hopkins Prairie Primitive Boat RampHopkins Prairie Lake, 1 lane ramp, free
- Ocala National Forest – Juniper Run Canoe/Kayak Take Out PointJuniper Springs Run, paddle launch, free
- Ocala National Forest – Juniper Springs Recreation Area Canoe/Kayak LaunchJuniper Springs Run, paddle launch, free
- Ocala National Forest – Lake Catherine Primitive Boat RampLake Jumper, boat ramp, free
- Ocala National Forest – Lake Charles Primitive AccessLake Charles, 1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
- Ocala National Forest – Lake Delancy Primitive Boat Ramp (4×4 Only)Lake Delancy, 1 lane ramp, free, 1 trailer spaces
- Ocala National Forest – Lake Eaton CamproundLake Eaton, 1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
- Ocala National Forest – Lake Jumper Canoe AccessLake Jumper, paddle launch, free
- Ocala National Forest – Lake Lou Primitive AccessLake Lou, 1 lane ramp, free, 2 trailer spaces
- Ocala National Forest – Lake Mary Primitive Boat LaunchLake Mary (Marion County), 1 lane ramp, free
- Ocala National Forest – Mill Dam Recreation AreaMill Dam Lake, 1 lane ramp, fee, 11 trailer spaces, composting toilet
- Ocala National Forest – Ocala Pond Primitive Boat RampOcala Pond, 1 lane ramp, free
- Ocala National Forest – Salt Springs Recreation Area Unimproved Boat RampSt. Johns River – Salt Springs Run, 1 lane ramp, fee, 4 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Ocala National Forest – Salt Springs Run Marina and LandingSt. Johns River – Salt Springs Run, 2 lane ramp, fee, 16 trailer spaces
- Ocala National Forest – Sellers Lake Primitive Boat RampSellers Lake, boat ramp
- Ocala National Forest – Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area – Paddlecarft LaunchSilver Glenn Run – Lake George, paddle launch, free
- Ocala National Forest – Trout Lake Primitive Boat LaunchTrout Lake (Marion County), 1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
- Orange Springs Public Boat RampOklawaha River – Rodman Reservoir, 1 lane ramp, free, 12 trailer spaces
- Rainbow Lakes Estates – Bonable Lake Canoe LaunchLittle Bonable Lake, paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Rainbow Lakes Estates – Little Bonable Lake Canoe AccessLittle Bonable Lake, paddle launch
- Rainbow Lakes Estates – Tiger Lake Small Craft LaunchLittle Bonable Lake, 1 lane ramp, free, 30 trailer spaces
- Rainbow Springs State Park – Campground Canoe Launch (Registered Campers Only)Rainbow River, paddle launch, fee
- Rainbow Springs State Park – Headwaters Canoe LaunchRainbow River, paddle launch, fee, 9 trailer spaces
- Ray Wayside Park (Ocala Boat Basin)Silver/Ocklawaha Rivers, 2 lane ramp, fee, 53 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Silver Springs State Park – Campground Entrance Canoe/Kayak Landing (Long Portage)Silver River, paddle launch, fee, flush toilet
- Silver Springs State Park – Group Camp Canoe LaunchSilver River, paddle launch, portable toilet
- Silver Springs State Park – Main Entrance Canoe/Kayak LaunchSilver River, paddle launch, fee, flush toilet
FWC Florida Boat Ramp Inventory, open and temporarily closed launches only.
Rivers
Moving water in Marion County
- St. Johns River2 launches in Marion County
- Withlacoochee River (West Central Florida)2 launches in Marion County
- Ocklawaha River8 launches in Marion County
- Rainbow River4 launches in Marion County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Ocklawaha River At Eureka, Fl | 574 cfs, 19.80 ft gage height | Nov 9 11:15 pm |
| Withlacoochee River At Us 41 At Dunnellon, Fl | 833 cfs, 27.71 ft gage height | Nov 9 11:45 pm |
| Ocklawaha River Near Conner, Fl | 556 cfs, 3.63 ft gage height | Nov 9 11:30 pm |
| Rainbow River At Dunnellon, Fl | 497 cfs, 3.59 ft gage height | Nov 9 11:45 pm |
| Rainbow River Near Dunnellon, Fl | 592 cfs, 5.86 ft gage height | Nov 10 12:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 10, 2026 12:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Stocking and records
Stocked waters and records in Marion County
Marion County stocking
| Water | Fish | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Bryant | 41,700 | Black Crappie Fingerlings |
| Lake Eleanor | 20,475 | Bluegill Fingerlings (1 – 4 inches), Redear Sunfish Fingerlings (1 – 4 inches) |
| Lake Tuscawilla | 4,013 | Channel Catfish – Sub Adult (> 6 inches), Channel Catfish – Derby Size (> 8”) |
| Tuscawilla | 2,100 | 2021 YC Channel Catfish Sub Adults |
| Lake Lillian | 519 | Channel Catfish – Sub Adult (> 6 inches) |
State records from Marion County
| Species | Pounds | Year |
|---|---|---|
| White Catfish | 18.88 | 1991 |
FWC Completed Stockings reports 2021-22 to 2023-24 and FWC freshwater state records.
Local help
Supplies and guides, Marion County
Shops and marinas in Marion County
- 3 Kings Crab Traps & Supplybait and tackle, Fort Mc Coy
- Advantage Sports Centerbait and tackle, Fort Mc Coy
- B Gee's Placebait and tackle, Fort Mc Coy
- Fat Daddy's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle, Silver Springs
- Fitzgerald Fishingbait and tackle, Belleview
- Hook Line & Sinkerbait and tackle, Ocklawaha
- Riverland and Tacklebait and tackle, Dunnellon
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Ocalasporting goods store, Ocala
- M-Port Marinamarina, Fort Mc Coy
- Salt Springs Run Marinamarina, Fort Mc Coy
Hire a guide in Marion County
- Capt Pat Shutters Guide Svcfreshwater guide, Ocala, (352) 427-2921
- Captain David Jeffordfreshwater guide, Dunnellon, (352) 563-1689
- Captain Tom's Custom Chartersfreshwater guide, Silver Springs, (352) 236-0872
- Ken Ganglerfreshwater guide, Ocala, (352) 622-1021
- Muldrow Captain Rick Fishing Chartersfreshwater guide, Ocala, (352) 629-3605
- Slick Chartersfreshwater guide, Silver Springs, (352) 236-3955
- Slick Chartersfreshwater guide, Ocala, (352) 817-7818
- South Shore Fish Campfreshwater guide, Citra, (352) 595-4241
- Trophy Bass Expeditionsfreshwater guide, Silver Springs, (352) 843-0939
- Twin Lakes Fishing & Campingfreshwater guide, Reddick, (352) 466-3194
- the crankin cracker fishing guide servicefreshwater guide, Silver Springs, (352) 870-6585
Nearby
In the area of Marion County
Places in Marion County
- Ocalapop. 63,591
- Dunnellonpop. 1,928
Counties near Marion County
- Putnam County33 miles northeast
- Sumter County34 miles south
- Lake County36 miles southeast
- Alachua County38 miles northwest
Gallery
Marion County and nearby water, pictured
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jpbowen at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: DanTD, CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers
What anglers ask about Marion County
How much public access is in Marion County?
FWC lists 58 open launches: 58 fresh, 0 salt.
Which Marion County lake should I fish first?
Rodman Reservoir, 9,500 acres.
Can I fish salt water in Marion County?
Marion County has no coastline.
What FWC region is Marion County in?
The Northeast region for fresh water.
Where can I buy bait in Marion County?
10 shops and marinas are listed, including DICK'S Sporting Goods Ocala, 3 Kings Crab Traps & Supply and Advantage Sports Center.
Where do I find a guide in Marion County?
11 guides are based in Marion County.
What fish are stocked in Marion County?
Stocking reports list 5 sites.
Which city is the seat of Marion County?
It is Ocala.
What license covers Marion County?
Yes, unless exempt; freshwater and saltwater licenses are sold separately.