Our map counts 8 fishing waters within 75 minutes of Jacksonville: 4 lakes, 3 bays and estuaries and 1 river or creek. The mix is 4 freshwater and 3 salt or brackish waters. Our records list no fewer than 43 species of fish for them.

Closest to Jacksonville: Saint Johns River, 2 minutes away

Starting from Jacksonville, the nearest water is Saint Johns River at 2 min (1.3 mi). The drive time is measured to the ramp: North Bank River Walk - Gefen Park Paddlecraft Access.

Also within a short drive:

Brown Bullhead and 43 more species on record

The most widespread fish is Brown Bullhead, recorded in 5 of the 8 waters. It is followed by Largemouth Bass (4), Sunshine Bass (4), Channel Catfish (4) and White Catfish (4).

The nearest water for each of the leading species:

  • Brown Bullhead: Saint Johns River, 2 min (1.3 mi)
  • Largemouth Bass, Sunshine Bass, Channel Catfish and White Catfish: Doctors Lake, 23 min (16.3 mi)

39 boat ramps and 17 piers within reach

Around Jacksonville you will find 39 boat ramps and 17 fishing piers on the waters in this guide. The boat ramp closest to the city center is North Bank River Walk - Gefen Park Paddlecraft Access on Saint Johns River, about 1 mi in a straight line. Without a boat, start at Blue Cypress Park on Mill Cove, the nearest pier — about 4.1 mi from the center.

Saint Johns River goes down to 65 ft

The deepest water in this guide is Saint Johns River: 65 ft at its deepest point (surveyed). Other deep spots are Mill Cove (31.8 ft), Santa Fe Lake (28 ft) and Nassau Sound (27.9 ft). Maximum depths are known for all 8 waters.

Where to start: Doctors Lake

Ranked by drive time, depth data, species records and access, the first 3 for Jacksonville are:

  • Doctors Lake: 3,467 acres, 22 fish species on record, max depth 22 ft (surveyed) and 6 ramps.
  • Saint Johns River: 24 fish species on record, max depth 65 ft (surveyed) and 54 ramps.
  • Mill Cove (estuary): 3,851 acres, 17 fish species on record, max depth 31.8 ft (surveyed) and 10 ramps.

One stocked water near Jacksonville

One water near the city has stocking records: Santa Fe Lake (27,315 fish).