Tillmans Pond near Hawthorne: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Look for Tillmans Pond in Alachua County, Florida. It stands 59 feet above sea level. With some 39 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The nearest town is Hawthorne, 7.8 miles away. Gainesville follows at 8.7 miles, then Citra at 13 miles. Others within reach: Perry Pond at about 0.8 miles, Chacala Pond near enough 4.5 miles, Newnans Lake at about 5.2 miles, Wauberg Lake near enough 5.9 miles and Calf Pond at about 5.9 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Tillmans Pond

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Nearby survey and observation records mention bluegill, warmouth and brown bullhead. The records cover the area rather than this water alone. Read Tillmans Pond before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 80°F and January near 55°F on the long-run figures. Fish feed through every month here. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Tillmans Pond. A settled spell fishes better than a bright one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. The nearest alternative is Perry Pond, 0.8 miles out. Treat access at Tillmans Pond as something to verify.