Chacala Pond Fishing near Gainesville, Florida

• Overview

  The Alachua County entry here is Chacala Pond, in Florida. It stands 75 feet above sea level. It measures about 53 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Gainesville is the closest place, 7.8 miles off. Hawthorne lies 12 miles off, Citra another 14 miles. What else is close: Wauberg Lake about 1.5 miles, Georges Pond (1.9 miles), Perry Pond about 4 miles, Tillmans Pond (4.5 miles) and Calf Pond about 5.8 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Chacala Pond

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records collected within a few miles name bluegill, black crappie, warmouth and brown bullhead. Local agencies keep the authoritative list for each water. Chacala Pond responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 55°F in January and 81°F in July. Nothing shuts down for cold, so the question is when in the day to go. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. That is the shape of the year on Chacala Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. There are toilets half a mile off. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Wauberg Lake, 1.5 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the current arrangement for Chacala Pond.