Lake Talquin Fishing
Gadsden County, FWC Northwest region, 8,800 acres.
- 15ramps
- 99TrophyCatch bass
- 8,800acres
Photo: The Bushranger, CC BY-SA 4.0
About fishing on Lake Talquin
Lake Talquin is a Gadsden County and Leon County water in FWC’s Northwest region. FWC gives its size as 8,800 acres. The closest town is Midway, about 8 miles from the middle of the lake.
TrophyCatch shows 99 Florida bass caught and released at Lake Talquin at 8 pounds or better. Expect Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, striped bass and black crappie in Lake Talquin, per FWC. Lake Talquin has 15 public ramps in the FWC inventory; 9 charge no fee. Stocking reports show 1,297,755 fish released into Lake Talquin.
The biologists on Lake Talquin
FWC on structure in Lake Talquin
“There is no statewide minimum length limit for largemouth bass.”
“At certain times of year largemouth bass, bluegill, redear, white bass, and striped bass fishing are excellent.”
“Largemouth bass regulations fall under statewide regulations.”
“Located just west of Tallahassee, this 8,800 acre reservoir is nationally known for its high quality black crappie (speckled perch) fishery.”
“On the Gadsden County side, there are 3 public boat ramps and 2 public fishing piers.”
“All crappie that are less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately.”
“There are 7 public boat ramps and 5 public fishing piers on the Leon County side of the lake (Hwy 20).”
Quoted from the FWC site page: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
The FWC outlook for Lake Talquin
“For crappie fishing, anglers should have luck trolling in deep channels (~20 ft) later in the season; crappie must be a minimum of 10 inches to harvest.”
“Again, fishing deeper channels with deep-diving crankbaits or dark-colored Carolina-rigged worms work best.”
“Pitching crickets along docks, points, and shoreline structure for bluegill or worms on the bottom for redear (shellcracker) are your best bet.”
“Lake Talquin also gives anglers their best option for catching a trophy Florida Bass for the area.”
Quoted from the FWC fishing forecast: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
Boat ramps on Lake Talquin
- Ben Stoutamire Landing1 lane ramp, free, 3 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Blount Landing1 lane ramp, free, 14 trailer spaces
- Coe Landing2 lane ramp, free, 39 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Elk Horn Landing Canoe Accesspaddle launch, free
- Ingram's Marina1 lane ramp, fee, portable toilet
- Jack Vause Landing1 lane ramp, 6 trailer spaces
- Lake Talquin Lodge2 lane ramp, fee, portable toilet
- Lake Talquin State Forest – Bloxham Recreation Area (Advance Reservation Required)1 lane ramp, fee
- Lake Talquin State Forest – High Bluff Recreation Area2 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces, composting toilet
- Luther Hall Landing1 lane ramp, free, 13 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Ochlockonee River at Highway 902 lane ramp, free, 20 trailer spaces
- Pat Thomas Park (aka. Hopkins Landing)2 lane ramp, fee, 8 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Wainwright Landing1 lane ramp, free, 5 trailer spaces
- Whippoorwill Sportsman's Lodge1 lane ramp, fee, portable toilet
- Williams Landing2 lane ramp, free, 11 trailer spaces, portable toilet
Source: FWC Boat Ramp Inventory, October 2026.
Stage on Lake Talquin
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Talquin Nr Bloxham, Fla. | 68.17 ft lake elevation | Oct 10 5:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 10, 2026 6:36 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Reading from USGS for Lake Talquin.
Fish of Lake Talquin
TrophyCatch bass from Lake Talquin
TrophyCatch counts as shown on the FWC page (Lake Talquin). Only bass 8 pounds and up, released alive, are counted.
What you can keep from Lake Talquin
Extra FWC rules for Lake Talquin, Leon and Gadsden counties (including that portion of the Ochlockonee River lying between Lake Talquin and the railroad trestle that is located immediately below U.S. Highway 90, that portion of the Little River lying between Lake Talquin and County Road 268, that portion of the Rocky Comfort Creek lying between Lake Talquin and County Road 65-B, and that portion of Bear Creek lying between Lake Talquin and Bear Creek Road, those portions of Ocklawaha and Hammock creeks lying between Lake Talquin and State Road 267, those portions of Blount's, Freeman [Stoutamire], and Harvey and Polk creeks lying between Lake Talquin and State Road 20):
- Crappie less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately
| 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.
Hatchery releases at Lake Talquin
| Site | Fiscal year | Species | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Talquin | 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 | 442,801 Largemouth Bass: Phase II (3” – 4”); 274,283 2022 YC Florida Largemouth Bass Phase II; 195,446 Gulf Striped Bass Fingerlings (1 – 2 inches) | 1,297,755 |
FWC Completed Stockings reports, fiscal years 2021-22 to 2023-24. Florida stocking by county.
Lake Talquin in the FWC top spots
Black-Bass, 2026 list
“Lake Talquin is also famed for a world class Black Crappie fishery and supports a healthy Florida Bass fishery. Good sizes and numbers of bream are also available here.”
Bream, 2026 list
“Lake Talquin is also famed for a world class Black Crappie fishery and supports a healthy Florida Bass fishery. Good sizes and numbers of bream are also available here.”
Catfish, 2026 list
“Lake Talquin is also famed for a world class Black Crappie fishery and supports a healthy Florida Bass fishery. Good sizes and numbers of bream are also available here.”
From FWC’s yearly top freshwater fishing spots lists.
Tournaments on Lake Talquin
Bass tournament dates and results for Lake Talquin are on its tournament page.
Sizing up Lake Talquin against nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres (FWC) | Public ramps | TrophyCatch bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Talquin | 8,800 | 15 | 99 | |
| Joe Budd Pond | 4 miles northeast | 15 | 1 | |
| Lake Jackson | 16 miles northeast | 4,000 | 9 | 81 |
| Lake Piney Z | 22 miles east | 193 | 1 | |
| Lake Seminole | 26 miles north | 37,500 | 5 | 13 |
| Ocheesee Pond | 29 miles northwest | 2,225 | 1 | 4 |
In the area of Lake Talquin
Other lakes close to Lake Talquin
- Joe Budd Pond4 miles northeast
- Lake Jackson16 miles northeast
- Lake Piney Z22 miles east
- Lake Seminole26 miles north
- Ocheesee Pond29 miles northwest
Bait stops around Lake Talquin
- Whippoorwill Sportsman's Lodgebait and tackle, Quincy, 4 miles
- Ingram's Marinamarina, Quincy, 4 miles
- Cosper Outdoorsbait and tackle, Quincy, 8 miles
- Charlie Tuna Bate & Tacklebait and tackle, Tallahassee, 10 miles
- Lake Talquin Bait and Morebait and tackle, Tallahassee, 10 miles
- Cosper Outdoors, Incbait and tackle, Quincy, 10 miles
Lake guides near Lake Talquin
- Fishingapexsfreshwater guide, Tallahassee, (267) 571-3889
Places to stay near Lake Talquin
- Tallahassee18 miles
- Chattahoochee24 miles
- St. Marks28 miles
Counties around Lake Talquin
- Gadsden Countyseat: Quincy
- Leon Countyseat: Tallahassee
Before you fish Lake Talquin
Where is Lake Talquin?
In Gadsden County and Leon County, about 8 miles from Midway.
What is the acreage of Lake Talquin?
FWC puts it at 8,800 acres.
How many ramps does Lake Talquin have?
FWC lists 15 ramps.
What species live in Lake Talquin?
Mainly Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, striped bass and black crappie, per FWC.
Are there trophy bass in Lake Talquin?
TrophyCatch has 99 bass from Lake Talquin, each 8 pounds or more.
Are there special fishing rules on Lake Talquin?
Yes. Crappie less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately.
Can I fish Lake Talquin without a license?
Yes, a freshwater license unless exempt, and residents pay $17 a year.
What does FWC stock in Lake Talquin?
FWC stocked 1,297,755 fish in the years on file.
Is Lake Talquin low right now?
This page shows the latest reading from USGS.