HERE Tallahassee
Tallahassee FL
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, FWC regulations, and community fishing coverage for Leon County lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 0 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌒
Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 69%
67°F
64°F
0 mph
1019
as of 11:53 PM ET
Good — increasing moonlight; fish feed actively in the morning and evening hours.
Leon County • Big Bend FL
Your Local Fishing Resource
HERE Tallahassee is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and FWC regulations across Leon County. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Tallahassee Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
ACTIVE
Pre-spawn or fall pattern. Crappie suspending over deeper structure.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
ACTIVE
Catfish feeding well in spring and fall. Target deeper holes and channel swings.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Leon County waters. Always verify FWC regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
67F
Clear
Feels like 67°F
as of 11:53 PM ET
Wind
0 mph N
Humidity
90%
Pressure
1019 hPa
Est. Water Temp
64°F
Moon
Waxing Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset
7:38 am / 7:06 pm
Location
Tallahassee, FL
On-the-Water Tips
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
- Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
67°F
Optimal Bite
Wind Speed
0 mph
Calm — Ideal
Barometric Pressure
1019 hPa
Stable — Active
Moon Phase
🌒
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TODAY
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
89° / 62°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
SAT
Sunny
72° / 54°
18 mph wind • 0% humidity
GOOD
SUN
Sunny
70° / 54°
18 mph wind • 0% humidity
GOOD
MON
Sunny
75° / 57°
15 mph wind • 0% humidity
GOOD
TUE
Sunny
78° / 57°
15 mph wind • 0% humidity
GOOD
Local Experts
Field Guides
No Tallahassee-area fishing guides are listed yet.
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Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Tallahassee and Big Bend
Florida
Official
Tallahassee fishing
No new Tallahassee-area fishing stories this week. Check current Florida fishing rules from the state wildlife agency, and watch this page for the next local report.
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Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Tallahassee and Big Bend FL
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Tallahassee angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Big Bend FL waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Big Bend FL Waters
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FWC Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Leon County waters. Always verify current regulations at myfwc.com.
SC Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Tallahassee Waters
Special Rules & Alerts for Tallahassee Waters
- Municipal Lakes: Boating permits may be required from Tallahassee Water. Gas motor HP restrictions may apply — check current municipal-water rules before launching.
- Select-Lake Rules: Some lakes enforce larger minimum sizes for black bass or combined daily limits. Verify closures with FWC before fishing.
- Electric-Only Lakes: Some state-park and municipal lakes prohibit gasoline engines and enforce reduced creel limits. Verify with FWC.
- Free Fishing Days 2026: May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) and July 4 — no fishing license required on these two days.
- Rivers: Statewide creel limits typically apply. Boating permits generally not required. FWC fishing license required for anglers 16+.
Regulations shown are for general reference. Always verify current rules with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at myfwc.com or by calling the FWC Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (Tallahassee Water) may be set separately from FWC.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Feb – Mar
Crappie Pre-Spawn Begins
Crappie begin staging near structure in 6-10 ft. Bridge and dock pilings are prime staging areas.
Late Mar – Apr
Crappie Spawn Peak
Peak spawn in shallows 2-6 ft. Late March through April. Best crappie fishing of the year.
Mar – May
Largemouth Bass Spawn
Bass move shallow when water reaches 60°F+. Docks and brush piles are top targets.
Apr – May
Bluegill / Bream Spawning
Bream spawn in gravel shallows. Easy catching near boat ramps and fishing piers.
May (FWC)
Spring Trout Stocking
FWC stocks select Tallahassee area waters. Check stocking schedule at https://myfwc.com/.
May 25, 2026
Free Fishing Day — Memorial Weekend
No FL fishing license required. All public waters. Great day to introduce new anglers.
June – Aug
Summer Bass & Catfish Peak
Fish early/late for bass. Catfish bite all night in summer heat on major lakes and rivers.
July 4, 2026
Free Fishing Day — Independence Day
No FL fishing license required. All public waters. July 4 Family Fishing Day.
Sep – Oct
Fall Bass Turnover & Feed
Lake turnover triggers aggressive bass feeding. Topwater produces in early morning on all Tallahassee lakes.
Oct – Nov
Fall Crappie Run
Second best crappie window. Fish deeper 12-18 ft as water cools. Main-lake points hold fish.
Nov (FWC)
Fall Trout Stocking
FWC fall trout stocking program. Check https://myfwc.com/ for Leon County schedule.
Dec (TBD)
Tournament Season Begins
Local bass club tournaments. Check HERE Tallahassee for local tourney dates.
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Leon County water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. FWC trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit myfwc.com for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Tallahassee area, answered.
-
Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a FL fishing license to fish public waters in Leon County. FL residents get a resident license; non-residents pay a higher fee. Licenses are available at myfwc.com or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license.
-
Leon County has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult FWC for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream. Municipal lakes may require a boating permit from Tallahassee Water — check locally before launching.
-
The best crappie fishing in Leon County is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Tallahassee lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult FWC for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
-
Rivers near Tallahassee typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult FWC for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
FWC stocks select Leon County waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the FWC website at https://myfwc.com/ — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current FWC schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Tallahassee.
FISHING NEWS ON THE HERE NETWORK
Fishing coverage from the 4 closest HERE cities.