Riley Lake Fishing Guide, Alachua County, Florida

• Overview

  You will find Riley Lake in Alachua County, Florida. It sits at 105 feet above sea level. The nearest town is Hawthorne, 6 miles away. For a city, Gainesville is 20 miles off. Close neighbours run: Blue Pond within 0.6 miles, Star Lake at 0.6 miles, Pace Lake within 1.3 miles, Ox Pond at 1.4 miles and Dean Pond within 2.2 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Riley Lake

  Federal mapping classes it as swamp or marsh rather than open lake, so expect shallow water and heavy cover. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists bluegill, blackbanded darter, spotted sunfish and brown darter. It reflects what has been logged, which depends on who was looking. Fish Riley Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 55°F and July at about 81°F, the water has a wide range to work through. There is no cold season worth the name. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. On Riley Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Blue Pond at 0.6 miles is the sensible second choice. The position on Riley Lake is worth confirming on the day.