Lake Seminole Fishing
FWC North Central region.
- 5ramps
- 13TrophyCatch bass
- 37,500acres
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fishing Lake Seminole
You will find Lake Seminole in Florida, part of the FWC North Central region. By the FWC count it covers 37,500 acres. The closest town is Chattahoochee, about 12 miles from the middle of the lake.
TrophyCatch lists 13 Florida bass over 8 pounds from Lake Seminole. Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and sunshine bass are the fish FWC lists at Lake Seminole. FWC records 5 public ramps for Lake Seminole, with 2 free to use.
FWC notes on Lake Seminole
How FWC says to fish Lake Seminole
“Attention Florida Anglers: Jim Woodruff Reservoir, Lake Seminole: Length and bag limits for black bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass (sunshine bass), white bass, crappie and panfish in Lake Seminole follow those established by Georgia DNR: 10 black bass, each must be at least 12 inches or greater in total length; 15 striped bass, white bass and sunshine bass (individually or in total), of which no more than two may be 22 inches or longer in total length; 30 crappie (speckled perch), in total; 50 panfish (does not include crappie); 15 pickerel (chain, grass and redfin).”
“East of Hwy. 271 (River Road).”
“Lake Seminole is a 37,500-acre reservoir located at the juncture of the Florida, Georgia, and Alabama state lines.”
“Much of the reservoir is flooded timber, and since the early 1990's hydrilla has expanded to nearly 70% coverage of the lake area.”
“A Lake Seminole brochure with more information is available.”
“The lake and its facilities are maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is used for navigation, hydroelectric production, and recreation.”
“Possession limit is 50 fish total, regardless of species.”
Quoted from the FWC site page: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
Current FWC forecast for Lake Seminole
“On the Florida side, the best stretch of river is usually between the Apalachee WMA and Parramore Landing.”
“Attention anglers: Consult Georgia’s regulations for bag and size limits on Lake Seminole, except in the areas west of Highway 271, where Florida’s new statewide regulations apply.”
“Striped Bass and Sunshine Bass (hybrids) anglers should look for schooling fish in the lower part of the lake near the Indian Mounds and along the old river channels down to the dam.”
“Cooler water temperatures tend to stimulate all species of gamefish, which makes fall one of the best times to fish Lake Seminole.”
Quoted from the FWC fishing forecast: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
Launching at Lake Seminole
- Buena Vista Landing1 lane ramp, free, 20 trailer spaces
- Parramore's Boat Landing2 lane ramp, free, 18 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Seminole Lodge – Marina, Motel and Campground1 lane ramp, fee, 12 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Sneads Legion Park Public Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, fee, 43 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Three Rivers State Park – General Use Area Boat Ramp (small boats)1 lane ramp, fee, 4 trailer spaces
Source: FWC Boat Ramp Inventory, October 2026.
Latest gauge reading for Lake Seminole
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Seminole Near Chattahoochee, Fl | 76.94 ft lake elevation | Oct 10 6:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 10, 2026 6:36 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Reading from USGS for Lake Seminole.
What bites in Lake Seminole
TrophyCatch bass from Lake Seminole
TrophyCatch counts as shown on the FWC page (Lake Seminole). Only bass 8 pounds and up, released alive, are counted.
Keeping fish from Lake Seminole
On Jim Woodruff Reservoir, Lake Seminole. In the waters of and on the banks of the waters of Lake Seminole — bounded on the west by Florida State Road No. 271, on the south by the Jim Woodruff Dam, on the east by a line immediately east of the Chattahoochee Marina, also known as the Booster Club, running northwest across the lake to the tip of land at the junction of the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers, west of Spring Creek; and on the north by the Herman Talmadge Bridge across the Chattahoochee River, FWC adds these rules:
- 10 black bass, each must be 12 inches or greater in total length; 15 striped bass, white bass and sunshine bass (individually or in total), of which no more than two may be 22 inches or longer in total length; 30 crappie (speckled perch); 50 panfish (does not include crappie); 15 pickerel (chain, grass and redfin). Possession limit is 50 fish total, regardless of species
| Species | Statewide daily bag | Length rule |
|---|---|---|
| Florida bass | 5 | only one 16 in or longer |
| Black crappie | 25 | none statewide |
| Bluegill and other panfish | 50 combined | none statewide |
FWC freshwater regulations, 2026-27 season, checked October 2026. All Florida limits and license prices.
Tournaments on Lake Seminole
Bass tournament dates and results for Lake Seminole are on its tournament page.
Nearby lakes compared with Lake Seminole
| Lake | Distance | Acres (FWC) | Public ramps | TrophyCatch bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Seminole | 37,500 | 5 | 13 | |
| Ocheesee Pond | 21 miles southwest | 2,225 | 1 | 4 |
| Joe Budd Pond | 23 miles south | 15 | 1 | |
| Lake Talquin | 26 miles south | 8,800 | 15 | 99 |
| Lake Jackson | 28 miles southeast | 4,000 | 9 | 81 |
| Merritt's Mill Pond | 30 miles west | 202 | 3 |
Beyond Lake Seminole
Neighboring lakes to Lake Seminole
- Ocheesee Pond21 miles southwest
- Joe Budd Pond23 miles south
- Lake Talquin26 miles south
- Lake Jackson28 miles southeast
- Merritt's Mill Pond30 miles west
Tackle shops close to Lake Seminole
- One Stop Bait & Tackle Shopbait and tackle, Quincy, 10 miles
- Cosper Outdoors, Incbait and tackle, Quincy, 16 miles
- Sunset Marina Parkmarina, Quincy, 17 miles
- Hines Trading Centerbait and tackle, Sneads, 17 miles
- Cosper Outdoorsbait and tackle, Quincy, 19 miles
- North Side Bait Tackle & Thingsbait and tackle, Havana, 20 miles
Communities near Lake Seminole
- Chattahoochee12 miles
Fishing Lake Seminole: common questions
Where is Lake Seminole located?
In Florida, about 12 miles from Chattahoochee.
How big is Lake Seminole?
The FWC figure is 37,500 acres.
Can I put a boat in at Lake Seminole?
There are 5 ramps on record.
What bites in Lake Seminole?
Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, sunshine bass and striped bass, according to FWC.
Has Lake Seminole produced bass over 8 pounds?
13 bass from Lake Seminole are logged with TrophyCatch.
Does Lake Seminole have its own limits?
Yes. 10 black bass, each must be 12 inches or greater in total length; 15 striped bass, white bass and sunshine bass (individually or in total), of which no more than two may be 22 inches or longer in total length; 30 crappie (speckled perch); 50 panfish (does not include crappie); 15 pickerel (chain, grass and redfin). Possession limit is 50 fish total, regardless of species.
Do I need a license to fish Lake Seminole?
Anglers 16 and up need a freshwater license ($17 a year for residents) unless exempt.
Are fish released into Lake Seminole?
FWC lists no stocking at Lake Seminole for the last three fiscal years.
Is there a gauge on Lake Seminole?
Readings from USGS appear above.
Load up for Lake Seminole
Every Florida limit is on the license page.