Fishing at Lake Talquin

Lake Talquin State Park offers outdoor activities for all ages. Bring your canoe or kayak to explore the roughly 10,000-acre lake with an average water level of 68.5 feet. You will find outstanding freshwater fishing including common species such as largemouth bass, striped bass, speckled perch, bream and catfish. 

Lake Talquin was formed in 1927 when the Jackson Bluff Dam was constructed on the Ochlockonee River to produce hydroelectric power. The dam flooded 14 miles along the river, creating the lake surrounded by pristine forest.

In 1971, approximately 20,000 acres of uplands and 10,000 acres of lake bottom were donated by the Florida Power Corp. to the state of Florida to form Lake Talquin State Recreation Area.

The waters that now cover the lake’s floodplain are somewhat shallow except along the old channel of the river. The abundance of dead trees and stumps scattered about are reminders of the rich floodplain forest that once covered the area before the lake was formed.

If you enjoy fishing but don’t have a boat, a small fishing dock is located at the River Bluff area, just west of the 650-foot boardwalk. The dock provides visitors excellent access to fishing from land.