Lake Seminole FL

Lake Seminole in Florida

About Lake Seminole Fl

Lake Seminole is a 37 500-acre reservoir located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. This is where the rivers Flint, Chattahoochee, and Apalachicola meet. It was named after the Seminole Native Americans who lived near the area thousands of years ago.

Lake Seminole is a manmade freshwater reservoir built in an area where an old American fort was built as a defensive structure and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Chattahoochee River and the Flint River join together to form the Apalachicola River, which houses the Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam. In 1816, Fort Scott was built on the west bank of the Flint River to protect what was then the southern border of the United States (the border between Georgia and Florida).

Lake Seminole Fl is considered a brackish lake, as it was once a tidal estuary. This is an optimal bass fishing lake surrounded by a beautiful natural setting. Lake Seminole Park and the reservoir is an ideal setting for fishing, boating, and other water sports.

The reservoir’s projects

The Jim Woodruff was the initial authorized project plan for improvements of the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The plan was authorized for navigation, power generation, and streamflow regulation. Recreational facilities at the lakes were authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944.

The Lake Seminole Fl lake has been operational since 1963. The mission of construction was to remove obstructions from the river to provide for shallow draft vessel traffic. the project was modified in 1874 to provide for improvement of the Apalachicola River to secure a channel 6 feet deep at low water and 100 feet wide throughout its length.

Wildlife in Lake Seminole near Jim Woodruff dam

Even though it is located in the midst of urban areas, there are a lot of animals living in and around the park water such as gators and waterfowl. Most notable among them are the alligators which are believed to number more than fifty. Birds often seen include herons, egrets, ducks, pelicans, sparrows, wrens, and even vultures. Turtles, snakes, squirrels, rats, and other animals also roam the grounds nearby.

Fishing Lake Seminole – largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie & more

As of recently, there are around 46 fish species total living in Lake Seminole Fl. Some of the more popular species are largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel, and striped bass. The thick aquatic vegetation that provides shelter to many species, including an abundance of baitfish, is the main factor that makes this area such a great fishery.

Tips for a Great Catch on Seminole Lake

A lake can be either natural or manmade and each lake has features and advantages that require some adjustments to what you may be used to. Fishing with a guide when visiting for the first time is the best and quickest way to learn the area. Fishing with a local expert will give you a day full of fun catching fish while becoming a more knowledgeable angler for the area.

Tips for Fishing Natural Lakes

When you go fishing in natural water, such as on one of the Great Lakes, look for spots where there is a lot of vegetation. Fish tend to gather in these areas because the vegetation provides cover and oxygen for them. Using a weedless spoon lure is a great option for fishing near vegetation. Just be careful that you do not lose your footing.

But if there is not much vegetation in a lake, look for places with logs and/or rock piles. Fish can still gather underneath these for protection. Use a lure that can withstand some scratches when fishing around these areas.

Tips for Fishing Manmade Lakes

When going fishing on manmade lakes, look for parts of the lake where the river or creek bed has a variety of depths. It also helps if you have a fishing and boating map to help you find those drop-offs and ledges before casting your lure. Use baits or lures that can be worked on the bottom.

You can also cast your lures from the lake shoreline, but your chances of catching are higher if you are on a boat. Aside from looking for drop-offs and ledges, underwater structures provide shelter and breeding grounds for fish.

In the case of Lake Seminole in Florida, a good spot would be near or above the old American fort located on the lake bed. To increase your chances of catching a fish in the lake, download the iBoating: Marine Navigation Maps & Nautical Charts app. It is available for both iOS and Android devices. It also comes with an offline map download so you can go fishing without relying on mobile data for great locations.

Top Lake Seminole Fishing Guides

To see a complete list of great Lake Seminole in Florida fishing guides, please click here!

What to Consider When Getting Your Fishing License

In order to catch fish from Lake Seminole in Florida, you need to have your own Florida fishing license if you are between the ages of 16 and 65. You would only need to spend on a freshwater license. Cost varies whether you are a resident or not.

Florida

For a Florida resident, a freshwater license costs $17 annually or $79 and is good for 5 years. Non-residents who want to fish on the Florida side must pay $17 for a 3-day license, $30 for a 7-day license, and $47 for a yearly renewal.

You can get your fishing license at your local tax collector’s office. Although, you can also do it at Walmart or other fishing shops for an additional fee.

A good thing about using a fishing license issued for Lake Seminole in Florida, is that you can use it to fish on the Georgia side of Lake Seminole.

Georgia

For residents, a freshwater license starts at $5 for a one-day license and adds $1 per succeeding day. The annual license fee though is $15.

You can get your Georgia fishing license at bait and tackle shops, state parks, marinas, and major retailers.

For non-residents, the cost to fish on Lake Seminole for one day is $10 and increases by $3.50 per succeeding day. The annual fishing license costs $50.

Due to existing agreements, a fishing license issued in Georgia is also valid for fishing on the Florida side of Lake Seminole. However, the Georgia Honorary Disability License is not recognized by Florida. Another good point is unlike states like Pennsylvania you don’t need to buy an additional stamp to fish Lake Seminole.