Joyce Marie Taylor
Suwannee Democrat
Jasper —
Access to three Hamilton County boat ramps at Eagle Lake and the road leading to the ramp at Lang Lake have reopened, according to a Nov. 2 press release from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
PCS Phosphate White Springs had closed access to the ramps on May 1 to begin rebuilding the culvert at Eagle Lake. Delays caused by Tropical Storm Debby extended the closure.
“I’m happy to report that access to the ramps at Eagle and Lang lakes has been restored,” said Brian Hilton, a freshwater fish biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
FWC’s website states both of these lakes are Fish Management Areas and a license is required to fish there. Both are green and fertile and deeper than average north Florida lakes, but typically grow more fish per acre due to abundant forage.
Eagle Lake comprises 200 acres and has steep sides, a maze of narrow cuts with points, sand bars and cattails in the coves that characterize the lake. Inhabiting Eagle Lake are largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, brown bullhead catfish, black crappie and sunshine bass.
The Lang Lake Fish Management Area is 86 acres. It is a reclaimed pit, meaning all the islands and shoreline have been graded to create gradual slopes with deep water only in the center of cuts. You’ll find cypress trees, cattails and hydrilla at the site and fishing could include catches of largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie. PCS has moved the entrance road to Lang Lake to U.S. 41 north of Genoa.
FWC advises special quality regulations are in effect on Lang Lake: largemouth bass - minimum size 18 inches; black crappie - minimum size 10 inches. Note: The daily bag limits for bass - only one over 22 inches; crappie - 25 fish per day and panfish - 20 fish per day remain unchanged.
