Lochloosa Lake Fishing
Alachua County, FWC North Central region, 5,700 acres.
- 3ramps
- 57TrophyCatch bass
- 5,700acres
Photo, nearby stand in for Lochloosa Lake: LittleT889, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lochloosa Lake fishing overview
In the FWC North Central region, Lochloosa Lake lies within Alachua County. By the FWC count it covers 5,700 acres. The closest town is Hawthorne, about 6 miles from the middle of the lake. FWC runs Lochloosa Lake as a fish management area (open to fishing).
Anglers have documented 57 Florida bass from Lochloosa Lake with TrophyCatch, each 8 pounds or more and released. FWC lists Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie as the main species in Lochloosa Lake. The FWC ramp inventory has 3 public ramps on Lochloosa Lake, 2 of them free.
Lochloosa Lake in FWC's words
Hot spots on Lochloosa Lake
“Anglers targeting bream should fish with grass shrimp in deep-water spatterdock or deeper grass patches.”
“Most of the shoreline is bordered by old-growth cypress trees, and knotgrass and spatterdock (bonnets) are the predominant aquatic plants in the lake.”
“Lochloosa Lake Park: 16204 SE 207 St, Lochloosa, FL 32640”
“Black crappie fishing is best from January through April in the spatterdock with grass shrimp and minnows.”
“During summer and fall, crappie anglers should drift open water with grass shrimp and minnows.”
“Lochloosa Lake (5700 acres) is designated as a Fish Management Area and located 5 miles south of Hawthorne near the town of Lochloosa.”
“Road is south of Lochloosa/north of Island Grove, FL.”
Quoted from the FWC site page: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
What is biting on Lochloosa Lake now
“During the early part of the season, try fishing offshore, drifting or trolling minnows and jigs.”
“Anglers should be aware that the Lochloosa Lake Florida Bass regulations changed in April 2024 as part of the Florida Trophy Bass Projec t ( check this news release for details and check the bass regulation signs at the ramp).”
“For information on best handling practices to help ensure large bass survive after release, check the TrophyCare page.”
“The water is still plenty deep to launch on Lochloosa Lake, but anglers should use caution due to shallow conditions, thick vegetation, and submerged hazards near the shoreline.”
Quoted from the FWC fishing forecast: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
Ramps and launches on Lochloosa Lake
- Lochloosa Conservation Area Boat Landingpaddle launch, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Lochloosa Harbor Fish Camp2 lane ramp, fee, flush toilet
- Lochloosa Park2 lane ramp, free, 16 trailer spaces, flush toilet
Source: FWC Boat Ramp Inventory, October 2026.
Fish FWC lists for Lochloosa Lake
TrophyCatch bass from Lochloosa Lake
TrophyCatch counts as shown on the FWC page (Lochloosa Lake). Only bass 8 pounds and up, released alive, are counted.
Rules on Lochloosa Lake
On Lakes Lochloosa and Orange, Alachua County, FWC adds these rules:
- Lakes Lochloosa (8,350 acres, includes Tadpole and Lochloosa creeks, Orange Lake proper, waters south and east of CR-346 and west of US Hwy 301 and Cross Creek) Fishing Forecast
- Open to fishing
- Black bass 20 inches in total length or longer must be released immediately
- Circle hooks required when fishing with natural bait greater than 3 inches in length
- No bag limit for channel catfish
- Trotlines having a gallon-sized plastic float at each end may be used, provided that such lines are sunk to the bottom or to a minimum depth of 4 feet
| 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.
Top spot notes for Lochloosa Lake
Crappie, 2026 list
Crappie size and numbers
“Highway 301 in the town of Lochloosa, and further north is a pay ramp at Lochloosa Harbor Fish Camp. In addition, a public pier is located south of the town of Lochloosa on Burnt Island within the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area and is a popular fishing site for those without a boat.”
From FWC’s yearly top freshwater fishing spots lists.
Lochloosa Lake side by side with nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres (FWC) | Public ramps | TrophyCatch bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lochloosa Lake | 5,700 | 3 | 57 | |
| Orange Lake | 5 miles southwest | 12,700 | 4 | 456 |
| Newnans Lake | 11 miles northwest | 5,800 | 3 | 12 |
| Rodman Reservoir | 13 miles east | 9,500 | 7 | 1,447 |
| Lake Santa Fe | 16 miles north | 5,850 | 3 | 45 |
| Magnolia Lake | 22 miles north | 205 | 1 |
Next to Lochloosa Lake
Lakes near Lochloosa Lake
- Orange Lake5 miles southwest
- Newnans Lake11 miles northwest
- Rodman Reservoir13 miles east
- Lake Santa Fe16 miles north
- Magnolia Lake22 miles north
Where to buy bait near Lochloosa Lake
- Hawthorne Baitbait and tackle, Hawthorne, 6 miles
- B Gee's Placebait and tackle, Fort Mc Coy, 9 miles
- Buddy'z Landingmarina, Earleton, 16 miles
- Bass Capital Tacklebait and tackle, Interlachen, 16 miles
- Parks Placebait and tackle, Gainesville, 17 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Gainesvillesporting goods store, Gainesville, 17 miles
Freshwater guides around Lochloosa Lake
- Seadog Chartersfreshwater guide, Hawthorne, (352) 318-2990
Towns close to Lochloosa Lake
- Gainesville17 miles
- Keystone Heights19 miles
- Ocala23 miles
County pages for Lochloosa Lake
- Alachua Countyseat: Gainesville
What anglers ask about Lochloosa Lake
Where is Lochloosa Lake located?
In Alachua County, about 6 miles from Hawthorne.
How big is Lochloosa Lake?
5,700 acres, per FWC.
Can I put a boat in at Lochloosa Lake?
Yes, 3 ramps in the FWC inventory.
What bites in Lochloosa Lake?
FWC lists Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie.
Has Lochloosa Lake produced bass over 8 pounds?
Anglers have logged 57 bass at Lochloosa Lake through TrophyCatch.
Does Lochloosa Lake have its own limits?
Yes. Lakes Lochloosa (8,350 acres, includes Tadpole and Lochloosa creeks, Orange Lake proper, waters south and east of CR-346 and west of US Hwy 301 and Cross Creek) Fishing Forecast
Do I need a license to fish Lochloosa Lake?
Anglers 16 and up need a freshwater license ($17 a year for residents) unless exempt.
Are fish released into Lochloosa Lake?
The FWC reports show no stocking at Lochloosa Lake.
Is there a gauge on Lochloosa Lake?
No public gauge reports for Lochloosa Lake.
Load up for Lochloosa Lake
Every Florida limit is on the license page.