McMeekin Lake in Putnam County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Set in Putnam County, Florida, this is McMeekin Lake. It stands 105 feet above sea level. Roughly 100 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. A shoreline of some 1.5 miles keeps the choices simple. The closest town, Hawthorne, is 4.7 miles distant. The big place round here is Gainesville, 19 miles distant. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on McMeekin Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Public wildlife records from this area list bluegill, largemouth bass, warmouth and black crappie. Records come from public data, not from a stocking programme. The shape of McMeekin Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 81°F at the top of summer and 55°F at the bottom of winter. Summer is the season to work around, not winter. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Expect McMeekin Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Little McMeekin Lake is 0.5 miles distant. Check the position on McMeekin Lake before loading the car.