Fishing

FISH BAKER COUNTY FLORIDA

Freshwater fishing in Baker County is allowed year round under the Florida Wildlife Code. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is the final authority on state fishing laws and is dedicated to making Florida the "fishing capital of the world" for residents and visitors. To help fund the agency's conservation efforts, the state legislature passed laws requiring non-exempt anglers to have a valid fishing. To ensure that money from the sale of fishing licenses cannot be diverted, state law dictates that all monies collected must go directly to the wildlife conservation commission.

FISHING - OSCEOLA NATIONAL FOREST

Freshwater fishing is available year round in the tannin-stained streams and lakes of the Osceola National Forest. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is the regulatory agency for fishing anywhere in the National Forest. You can contact the FWC for a copy of their Fishing Handbook which outlines specific rules, bag limits, licensing, and health advisories. Any angler attempting to catch freshwater fish anywhere in the county must carry a valid fishing license with following exceptions:

Children under the age of 16 years.
Florida residents 65 years of age or older who carry proof of age and residency.
Anyone fishing in a private pond that is less than 20 acres.
Commercial fishing license holders who reside in the state of Florida.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are residents of the state but not stationed here.
Baker County residents fishing with a cane pole.
Residents certified as totally and permanently disabled.
Any person who has been accepted by the Florida Department of Health as a client for developmental services.
Valid Georgia Fishing License holders when fishing the St. Marys River.

Located in the western part of Baker County, Ocean Pond is a 1760-acre lake off Highway 90 in Olustee, FL that is open year round for fishing with a public boat launch and nice campsites (some with paved spurs and hookups). This is one of the few places in Florida where you can camp and fish with your boat parked in front of your campsite. Fishing licenses can purchased from the Baker County Tax Collector's office at 32 N 5th Street in Macclenny, FL Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.; or online through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.

FISHING - JOHN M. BETHEA STATE FOREST

John M. Bethea State Forest is open to regulated fishing in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The 37,736 acre state forest is managed as a part of the Osceola Wildlife Management Area. Small blackwater streams and ponds are scattered throughout the wildlife corridor between the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the Osceola National Forest has many excellent recreational fishing areas. Under the state's recreation lands program, 2.9 miles of river frontage property was purchased on the St. Marys River. The park is located in northern Baker County approximately 12 miles north of Glen St. Mary offering anglers multiple fishing options.