Skinner Lake Fishing in Putnam County, Florida

• Overview

  In Florida, Skinner Lake belongs to Putnam County. Land around it is scrub and brush. At about 44 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Interlachen sits 6.5 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Further out sit Hawthorne (8.3 miles) and Citra (13 miles). Also within reach: Higginbotham Lake sits 1 mile out, Brim Pond 1.4 miles, Lake Fanny sits 1.7 miles out, Key Pond 1.8 miles and Bull Pond sits 1.9 miles out. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Skinner Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Public wildlife records from this area list bluegill, largemouth bass and warmouth. Records show what people reported, so treat the list as a guide to what lives in the area. Work Skinner Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 81°F; the cold one sits at 55°F. Cold never becomes a factor on this one. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. The season on Skinner Lake follows the weather closely. A settled week fishes better than a changeable one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. This sits inside Putnam Lakes Preserve, so read the reserve notices first. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Higginbotham Lake at 1 mile is the nearest alternative. Signs at Skinner Lake carry more weight than any list.