Gainesville Florida Hot Spots

[JellyMan]

So I am finally getting back home to Florida and settling in Gainesville for awhile. I grew up in Central Florida so the north east new to me as far as fishing goes.

 

I use an inflatable with a trolling motor and I was wondering what some good ponds and lakes may be for my boat? I definitely have Newnans Lake on the list but again, I cant go too far cuz I rely on battery power and a full day on the water means minimal travel and more fish time. I was also really excited to try Lake Alice right there in town but I read it was private. Bummer. 

 

Any input on Bivens Arm or any other spots close by? Anything worth going to within a 20 min drive from Gainesville?

[gar-tracker]

I lived there for 3 years actually north of Gvile in Alachua/High Springs area.

 

If you want to take a little ride north the Santa Fe River has some nice fishing but can get shallow in areas during low water. And would be good for Trolling motor only.

 

Orange Lake returned and should be fishable.

 

All in all I was disappointed during my time there as far as the fishing.

 

I knew  a local legend John White of Alachua, he told me a story about himself and Bill Norman the inventor of the Rattle Trap and field tested the first traps in Newnans Lake, he said they caught in excess of 100 Bass.

 

Years later I met Shaw Grigsby whos from Gainesville and brought up John White, Shaw said man I remember as a kid thinking we would have a tourny won and in came John White with a sack of giants.