St. Johns River Fishing in Palatka & Putnam County

Palatka riverfront · NWS forecast ↗ (external website, opens in a new tab)

Fish the St. Johns. Start in Palatka.

The St. Johns River is at the heart of Fish Palatka. Plan your fishing day around Palatka and East Palatka, with local launches, fishing guides, bait shops and waterfront stops. Then explore more of the river through Putnam County.

Start in Palatka & East Palatka

Choose how you want to fish, then put your launch, guide and bait stop together around the same stretch of river. These local starting points help you get the day organized.

Bait before you launch: Blanpro Bait & Tackle is a downtown riverfront stop. Call for the bait you need and current opening hours, or browse bait, tackle and fuel options.

Staying longer? Use the directory below to compare lodging, marinas and food stops near your chosen fishing area.

Recent St. Johns River fishing reports

Fishing videos

M · Mike’s Pick

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Sep 1, 2026

St. Johns River Fishing Report! | All Seasons | Terry Scroggins

Bass Pro Shops

Crescent Lake · Lake George & Little Lake George · St. Johns River

Video details

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Why this river comes first

My grandfather introduced me to fishing the St. Johns here in Palatka. This river is where Fish Palatka begins. — Mike Duckworth

Fishing this water

Largemouth bass, bluegill and shellcracker are useful starting targets in FWC’s river guide. Around Little Lake George, FWC also identifies striped bass and sunshine bass at the Croaker Hole. Choose the river stretch and season first, then check a dated local report or ask a guide about your trip.

Plan your trip

Palatka and East Palatka are the central hub. Bostwick, Federal Point and Orange Mills belong to the northern stretch; San Mateo and Satsuma lead toward Dunns Creek. Farther south, Welaka, Fruitland and Georgetown connect the fishing day to camps, marinas and river stops.

Choose a launch near the stretch you want to fish. A Crescent City mailing address can still mean a business is on the St. Johns: Renegades, for example, belongs with the river stops.

Access & launch planning

Public boat ramps serve Palatka, East Palatka, Bostwick, Satsuma and Welaka. Use the map to choose a launch for your stretch. A boat ramp or staging dock does not automatically allow bank fishing; check the site’s posted fishing areas. For a canoe or kayak, compare access and river conditions before choosing a route.

Explore the river through Putnam County

Keep your launch, bait stop and fishing plan on the same part of the river. Follow Putnam’s river corridor from Bostwick and Palatka through Welaka and Little Lake George to Georgetown and northern Lake George.

Bostwick, Palatka & East Palatka

Palmetto Bluff gives you a northern Putnam starting point. Downtown Palatka is the central hub for a public launch, bait and guide departures; Pico Road and Elgin Grove offer East Palatka alternatives. Compare the launch location with your intended stretch before trailering over.

Palatka to San Mateo, Satsuma & Dunns Creek

This stretch gives you a choice between the main St. Johns and Dunns Creek. Georgia Boys and Bill’s Bend are creekside stays; Stegbone’s is on the river. Brown’s Landing sits across the St. Johns from the creek area, so that launch involves a river crossing.

Welaka & the Ocklawaha mouth

Use Welaka as a base for the St. Johns near the Ocklawaha mouth. The town ramp, bait shop and nearby fish camps help organize the day. The lower Ocklawaha has its own river launches below Rodman Dam; a reservoir trip above the dam needs a different access plan.

Little Lake George & the Croaker Hole

Include Little Lake George when planning the St. Johns around Welaka. It is a separate named water from Lake George near Georgetown and Georges Lake near Florahome. FWC identifies the Croaker Hole in Little Lake George as a refuge used by striped bass and sunshine bass during warm weather. Ask locally about conditions and use a navigation chart to plan the run from your chosen launch.

Fruitland, Georgetown & north Lake George

The southern Putnam river corridor leads toward Georgetown and the northern end of Lake George. Compare local camps and marinas for your boat and stay. Several river businesses use Crescent City mailing addresses even though they are on the St. Johns rather than Crescent Lake.

Where should I launch?

Choose the closest suitable launch to the stretch you plan to fish. Use the access map to compare public ramps, then check its source page for the facilities and any notices.

Can I plan the day around dockside food?

Yes, but use listings explicitly marked for restaurant dockage or dock and dine. Call about available space and kitchen hours; a waterfront address alone does not establish visitor access.

Where do I find a recent fishing report?

The dated reports and videos above are linked to the river. Check the original date and the location covered, then ask a local guide or bait shop about your trip dates.

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