Stevens Lake Fishing in Clay County, Florida

• Overview

  Stevens Lake sits within Clay County in Florida. Elevation runs to 184 feet. With some 230 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. It sits higher than most water we list in Florida. The closest town, Starke, is 7 miles distant. For a city, Gainesville is 25 miles off. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Stevens Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged nearby in open biodiversity records include bluegill, warmouth and largemouth bass. The records cover the area rather than this water alone. Stevens Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 81°F and January at 54°F. Cold never becomes a factor on this one. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Stevens Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Perch Pond, 1.3 miles away. For Stevens Lake in particular, ask before you travel.