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Fishing in Putnam County, Florida
Seat: Palatka. FWC Northeast region.
- 33launches
- 4lakes
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Putnam County, Florida
Fishing around Putnam County
Palatka is the seat of Putnam County, which falls in the FWC Northeast region. Land in Putnam County totals 728 square miles; water adds 99 more. FWC lists 33 open public launches for Putnam County, split 33 fresh and 0 salt.
Putnam County has 4 lakes with an FWC fishing page, the largest being Lake George. The heaviest freshwater state record from Putnam County is a 10.09 pound blue/nile tilapia or hybrid caught in 2024.
33public launches
4FWC lakes
11shops and marinas
2rivers with access
Map
Map of Putnam County fishing access
FWC boat ramp inventory, pier finder and lake sites, checked October 2026.
Lakes
Fresh water in Putnam County
- Lake George46,000 acres, 5 ramps, 190 TrophyCatch bass
- Crescent Lake15,960 acres, 6 ramps, 34 TrophyCatch bass
- Rodman Reservoir9,500 acres, 7 ramps, 1,447 TrophyCatch bass
- Little Lake George0 ramps
Launches
Public ramps across Putnam County
Putnam County fresh water (33)
- Bass World LodgeSt. Johns River, 1 lane ramp, fee, 3 trailer spaces
- Boll Green Lake Public Boat RampBoll Green Lake, 1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Brown's Landing Public Boat Ramp (Palatka)St. Johns River, 1 lane ramp, free, 12 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Church Lake Public AccessChurch Lake, paddle launch, free
- Crescent Lake Public Boat RampSt. Johns River – Crescent Lake, 1 lane ramp, free, 9 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Dick's Lake (Kirby Lake) Public Boat RampDick's Lake, 1 lane ramp, free, 1 trailer spaces
- Drayton Island Ferry Public Boat RampSt. Johns River, 1 lane ramp, free, 3 trailer spaces
- Dunns Creek State Park Kayak LaunchDunns Creek, paddle launch, fee, 5 trailer spaces, composting toilet
- East Palatka – Pico Road Boat RampSt. Johns River, 1 lane ramp, free, 14 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Elgin Grove Public Boat RampSt. Johns River, 1 lane ramp, free, portable toilet
- Gateway Fish Camp RV ResortSt. Johns River, 1 lane ramp, fee, portable toilet, temporarily closed
- George's Lake Public Boat RampGeorge's Lake, 1 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces
- Jewel Lake Public AccessLake Jewel, paddle launch, free
- Kenwood Recreation Area – Main Boat RampOklawaha River – Rodman Reservoir, 2 lane ramp, free, 35 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Lake Grandin Public Boat RampLake Grandin, 1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
- Lake Ida Public Boat Ramp (Interlachen)Lake Ida (Putnam County), 1 lane ramp, free, 5 trailer spaces
- Lake Stella Public Boat RampLake Stella, 1 lane ramp, free, 3 trailer spaces
- Leonard's Landing Lake Crescent ResortSt. Johns River – Crescent Lake, 1 lane ramp, fee, 4 trailer spaces
- Margary Neal Nelson Sunrise Park and Boat RampSt. Johns River – Crescent Lake, 2 lane ramp, free, 24 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Ocala National Forest – Davenport Landing Primitive Campsite – Canoe AccessOcklawaha River – Saint Johns River, paddle launch
- Ocala National Forest – Johnson Field – Oklawaha River Boat RampOcklawaha River, 2 lane ramp, free, 15 trailer spaces
- Palatka Riverfront Park – Boat RampSt. Johns River, 4 lane ramp, free, 40 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Palatka Riverfront Park – Paddlecraft Launch BeachSt. Johns River, paddle launch, free
- Palmetto Bluff Public Boat RampSt. Johns River, 1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces
- Renegades on the RiverSt. Johns River, 1 lane ramp, fee, 4 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Rodman Recreation Area – Campground Boat RampOklawaha River – Rodman Reservoir, 2 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Rodman Recreation Area – Kirkpatrick Dam Boat RampOcklawaha River, 2 lane ramp, free, 28 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Rodman Recreation Area – Kirkpatrick Dam Canoe/Kayak LaunchOcklawaha River, paddle launch, free, portable toilet
- Shell Harbor Public Boat RampSt. Johns River, 1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- St Paul's Episcopal Church – Canoe Kayak LaunchSaint Johns River, paddle launch, free, portable toilet
- Tanglewylde Nature Park – Kayak LaunchSt. Johns River, paddle launch, free
- Violet Lake Public AccessViolet Lake, paddle launch, free
- Welaka Public Boat RampSt. Johns River, 2 lane ramp, free, 5 trailer spaces, portable toilet
FWC Florida Boat Ramp Inventory, open and temporarily closed launches only.
Rivers
Rivers running through Putnam County
- St. Johns River19 launches in Putnam County
- Ocklawaha River6 launches in Putnam County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| St. Johns R At Buffalo Bluff Near Satsuma, Fl | 22,300 cfs, 11.79 ft gage height | Nov 9 11:15 pm |
| Dunns Creek Near Satsuma, Fl | 4,810 cfs, 11.82 ft gage height | Nov 10 12:00 am |
| Ocklawaha R At Rodman Dam Near Orange Springs, Fl | 549 cfs, 3.57 ft gage height | Nov 10 12:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 10, 2026 12:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Stocking and records
Putnam County stocking and state records
Stocked waters, Putnam County
| Water | Fish | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Welaka National Fish Hatchery | 104,098 | 2021 YC Channel Catfish Sub Adults, 2022 YC Channel Catfish Fry and Phase I Fingerlings |
| St. Johns River# | 54,115 | Sunshine Bass Fingerlings (1 – 2 inches) |
| Lake Annie | 2,000 | Channel Catfish – Sub Adult (> 6 inches) |
Records caught in Putnam County
| Species | Pounds | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Blue/Nile Tilapia or Hybrid | 10.09 | 2024 |
FWC Completed Stockings reports 2021-22 to 2023-24 and FWC freshwater state records.
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Bait, boats and guides in Putnam County
Bait shops in Putnam County
- Bass Capital Tacklebait and tackle, Interlachen
- Blanpro Bait and Tacklebait and tackle, Palatka
- Georgia Boys Fish Campbait and tackle, Satsuma
- Messer's Westside Bait & Tacklebait and tackle,
- River City Bait and Tackle Supplybait and tackle, Palatka
- Acostacreek Marinamarina, Satsuma
- Bass World Lodge & Marinamarina, Crescent City
- Crescent Fish Campmarina, Crescent City
- Crystal Cove Marinamarina, Palatka
- Georgetown Marina Lodge & R V Parkmarina, Georgetown
- Port Cove RV Resort & Marinamarina, Georgetown
Guide services, Putnam County
- St John's River Catfish Cofreshwater guide, Palatka, (386) 385-5904
- Stegbone's Fish Campfreshwater guide, Satsuma, (386) 467-2464
- Walking Small Fishing Chartersfreshwater guide, Palatka, (941) 729-2389
- FinAddict Sport Fishingoffshore, Satsuma, (386) 559-2583
Nearby
Around Putnam County
Putnam County towns
- Palatkapop. 10,446
- Crescent Citypop. 1,654
- Welakapop. 714
Next door to Putnam County
- Flagler County28 miles east
- Clay County28 miles north
- St. Johns County29 miles northeast
- Marion County33 miles southwest
Gallery
A look at water near Putnam County
Photo: Msoto2930, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: US Forest Service – Southern Region, Public domain
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Answers
Before you fish in Putnam County
How many public launches does Putnam County have?
33, with 33 on fresh water and 0 on salt.
Which lake in Putnam County is largest?
Lake George, 46,000 acres.
Is there saltwater fishing in Putnam County?
Not in Putnam County; it is an inland county.
Who manages fishing in Putnam County?
The Northeast region for fresh water.
What shops sell bait in Putnam County?
11 listings, such as Acostacreek Marina, Bass Capital Tackle and Bass World Lodge & Marina.
Who guides in Putnam County?
4 guides give Putnam County as home.
Is Putnam County stocked?
Yes, at 3 sites in the years on file.
What is the county seat of Putnam County?
The seat is Palatka.
Can I fish Putnam County without a license?
A Florida license for the water you fish, from age 16, unless exempt.