Newnans Lake Fishing
Alachua County, FWC North Central region, 5,800 acres.
- 3ramps
- 12TrophyCatch bass
- 5,800acres
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
Newnans Lake for anglers
FWC lists Newnans Lake under its North Central fishing sites, in Alachua County. Its FWC acreage is 5,800. The closest town is Gainesville, about 8 miles from the middle of the lake. Newnans Lake is managed as a fish management area (open to fishing).
12 Florida bass of 8 pounds and up from Newnans Lake are in the TrophyCatch records. FWC names Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and black crappie for Newnans Lake. Launch options at Newnans Lake: 3 public ramps, 3 free.
What FWC says about Newnans Lake
Fishing spots on Newnans Lake, per FWC
“The most consistent fisheries on Newnans Lake are catfish and bream, and these can be caught year-round in deeper areas of the lake and the lake shoreline, respectively.”
“Palm Point Park: 7401 Lakeshore Dr, Gainesville, FL 32641”
“Newnans Lake (5,800 acres), designated as a Fish Management Area, is located about two miles east of Gainesville on Highway 20.”
“The lake is surrounded by cypress trees that provide good angling when water levels are high.”
“Owen Illinois Park Boat Ramp: 11309 SE 16th Ave, Gainesville (Windsor), FL 32641 – CURRENTLY CLOSED BY ALACHUA COUNTY DUE TO LOW WATER LEVELS.”
“Shore and Pier Fishing Opportunities/Boat Ramp Locations:”
“Sparse areas of emergent grasses, bulrush, and spatterdock (water lilies) are found around the shoreline of Newnans Lake.”
Quoted from the FWC site page: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
FWC report for Newnans Lake
“Water levels are too low to launch boats at both public ramps (Earl Powers Park and Owen Illinois Park).”
“If water levels rise, that usually means good things for black crappie (speck) fishing.”
“You may even land a big bass if you’re lucky.”
“Anglers should also be aware of tagged Black Crappie with rewards.”
Quoted from the FWC fishing forecast: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
Getting on Newnans Lake
- Earl P. Powers Park Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, free, 66 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Owen-Illinois Park at Windsor2 lane ramp, free, 5 trailer spaces, flush toilet, temporarily closed
- Palm Point Park Kayak Access (Limited Parking)paddle launch, free
Source: FWC Boat Ramp Inventory, October 2026.
Species in Newnans Lake
TrophyCatch bass from Newnans Lake
TrophyCatch counts as shown on the FWC page (Newnans Lake). Only bass 8 pounds and up, released alive, are counted.
Bag limits at Newnans Lake
FWC sets these rules for Newnans Lake, Alachua County on top of the statewide limits:
- Open to fishing
- 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.
Newnans Lake and the lakes around it
| Lake | Distance | Acres (FWC) | Public ramps | TrophyCatch bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newnans Lake | 5,800 | 3 | 12 | |
| Lochloosa Lake | 11 miles southeast | 5,700 | 3 | 57 |
| Lake Santa Fe | 11 miles northeast | 5,850 | 3 | 45 |
| Orange Lake | 13 miles south | 12,700 | 4 | 456 |
| Magnolia Lake | 17 miles northeast | 205 | 1 | |
| Lowry Lake | 19 miles northeast | 1 |
Close to Newnans Lake
Lakes within a short drive of Newnans Lake
- Lochloosa Lake11 miles southeast
- Lake Santa Fe11 miles northeast
- Orange Lake13 miles south
- Magnolia Lake17 miles northeast
- Lowry Lake19 miles northeast
Bait and tackle near Newnans Lake
- Parks Placebait and tackle, Gainesville, 7 miles
- Hawthorne Baitbait and tackle, Hawthorne, 9 miles
- Buddy'z Landingmarina, Earleton, 10 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Gainesvillesporting goods store, Gainesville, 10 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Gainesvillesporting goods store, Gainesville, 11 miles
- Bald Eagle Bait & Tacklebait and tackle, Keystone Heights, 15 miles
Bass guides around Newnans Lake
- Seadog Chartersfreshwater guide, Hawthorne, (352) 318-2990
Where to base a trip to Newnans Lake
- Gainesville8 miles
- Keystone Heights14 miles
- High Springs25 miles
Counties touching Newnans Lake
- Alachua Countyseat: Gainesville
Questions about fishing Newnans Lake
Where exactly is Newnans Lake?
In Alachua County, about 8 miles from Gainesville.
How large is Newnans Lake?
About 5,800 acres by the FWC figure.
Is there a boat ramp at Newnans Lake?
3 ramps, all listed on this page.
What can I catch in Newnans Lake?
FWC names Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and black crappie.
Is Newnans Lake good for big bass?
TrophyCatch has 12 bass from Newnans Lake, each 8 pounds or more.
Is Newnans Lake a Fish Management Area?
Yes. Open to fishing.
Which license do I need for Newnans Lake?
A Florida freshwater license, for anglers 16 and older unless exempt; resident annual is $17.
Has Newnans Lake been stocked?
No FWC stockings are listed for Newnans Lake in 2021-22 to 2023-24.
What is the water level on Newnans Lake?
Newnans Lake has no public real-time gauge.
Head to Newnans Lake
Limits and license prices are one click away.