Crescent Lake fishing charters
Guided largemouth bass and crappie trips on Crescent Lake, a 15,960-acre lake off the St. Johns River near Crescent City, south of Palatka.
Crescent Lake is a 15,960-acre lake in Putnam and Flagler counties that flows into the St. Johns River. Book 4-, 6- or 8-hour bass trips or 4- and 6-hour crappie trips online with live dates.
Book your Crescent Lake fishing trip
Every calendar below shows live availability. Choose your number of guests, a date and a time, then book.
Bass trips
4-hour bass charter
6-hour bass charter
8-hour bass charter
Crappie & panfish trips
4-hour crappie trip
6-hour crappie trip
Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
How do you book a Crescent Lake fishing charter?
iOutdoors books guided largemouth bass trips (4, 6 or 8 hours) and crappie trips (4 or 6 hours) on Crescent Lake, near Crescent City south of Palatka, with live dates online. The guide provides the boat, fuel, rods, reels and lures, and each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt.
What's included and what's not
- Professional local fishing guide
- Boat and fuel
- Rods, reels and tackle
- Artificial lures
- Life jackets
- Florida freshwater fishing license (required for most anglers 16 and older)
- Live wild shiners (optional; ask your guide about the cost)
- Guide tip (10–20% is customary)
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to the boat ramp
What to bring
Crescent Lake
Crescent Lake is a 15,960-acre lake in Putnam and Flagler counties and a tributary of the St. Johns River, near Crescent City south of Palatka. FWC points bass anglers to docks in deeper water along the western shore and to deadfalls along the eastern shore and around Bear Island.
Trips on this page fish Crescent Lake for largemouth bass or for black crappie, which FWC says bite better as the lake cools, especially in the southern end. Bluegill and redear sunfish live here too. Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip.
Fish you can catch on Crescent Lake
Know your fish →
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change: see the FWC freshwater fishing regulations.
Reviews from Palatka-area trips
5.0267 reviews
Had a great time with my grandson. Ken put us onto some nice fish. Thank you Ken
Keith Wilkes · October 2026 · Google
Great experience, beautiful day, plenty of fish.
Roy Melvin · September 2026 · Google
Great day , very relaxing & peaceful morning on the St.John’s river. Caught a bunch! Captain Robert is very easy going , patient & professional. Will repeat! 👊🏻🎣
Maggie Carames · September 2026 · Google
Bass Fishing with great capt. David
Great captain, David! fantastic trip, caught loads of bass, 17 plus in total, fun for all! Excellent value for money; would highly recommend.
Absent S · August 2026 · TripAdvisor
Excellent day on the water. Weather didn't cooperate, but we were able to get in enough fishing time. Guide was knowledgeable and very helpful. Recommend for anyone needing a charted day on the water. Will use again.
Bill · August 2026 · Google
Caption Ken Walker is great. We will be back. He knows exactly where the fish are and we were able to get a huge one.
Justin Miller · July 2026 · Google
Great experience on a comfortable boat. Ken was very patient with beginners. I would recommend to others.
Terry Parkman · July 2026 · Google
5 out of 5...YOU ARE IN EXPERT HANDS.
After booking a charter with David, it was on time, and the weather that day was perfect. I would recommend them any time. In fact, I can't wait to go again; they made me feel so welcome. My daughter came along on her 1st trip, and they made her feel very welcome and answered all her questions, and…
Jackson P · July 2026 · TripAdvisor
Another awesome trip with kenny. Our first fish, was ten pounds three ounces. We always seem to find the big ones.
Dave Wetherill · June 2026 · Google
Wonderful experience with Captain Walker! 100% recommended. We caught 4 different species and enjoyed lots of wildlife. Will definitely come back!
Diana Cortes Blanquicet · June 2026 · Google
Amazing time and a great captain! We will definitely be back again! Don’t let the picture fool you there were some big fish missed today.
Brandon Cottrell · June 2026 · Google
Captain Ken is an excellent guide. Was patient with my 13 year old grandson and taught him a lot. Caught plenty of nice bass!!
Richard Bankston · June 2026 · Google
Crescent Lake fishing: what you can catch
Crescent Lake fishing near Palatka is about largemouth bass and black crappie. FWC also lists bluegill and redear sunfish. Bass bite all year, with the spawn in winter and early spring; crappie fishing improves as the lake cools.
What's biting by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Crappie at their best
- Bass spawn season
Spring Mar–May
- Late spawn and post-spawn bass
- Bluegill and shellcracker on beds
Summer Jun–Aug
- Early-morning bass, then deeper docks as it heats up
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bass feed up as the water cools
- Crappie start to school as the lake cools
- Every angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Buy it online before the trip.
- Black bass: 5 per person per day, and only 1 may be 16" or longer. Some waters have special bass rules; your guide will tell you before the trip.
- Crappie: 25 per person per day, 10" minimum.
Source: FWC. Limits change; your guide has the current rules.
Crescent Lake fishing guide
Crescent Lake is a 15,960-acre lake in Putnam and Flagler counties, a tributary of the St. Johns River. Largemouth bass and black crappie (specks) are the main targets.
Where you’ll fish
Crescent Lake has docks in deeper water along the western shore, deadfalls along the eastern shore and around Bear Island, and public access off Highway 17 in Crescent City. Every trip on this page fishes Crescent Lake. Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time before the trip.
How the trips work
Bass and crappie trips both run from a bass boat. Your guide provides rods, reels, lures and tackle, and can set you up with live shiners or minnows, which are optional and cost extra. Most bass are photographed and released.
Best time to go
Bass fishing is good all year, and winter and early spring bring the spawn. Crappie fishing improves as the lake cools in late fall and winter. In summer, go early before the heat and afternoon storms.
Tips for planning your trip
Buy a Florida freshwater fishing license online before the trip. Morning trips usually fish best, especially in summer.
Questions about Crescent Lake trips
How much does a Crescent Lake fishing charter cost?
Bass trips start at $325 for 4 hours, $425 for 6 hours and $525 for 8 hours. Crappie trips start at $350 for 4 hours and $450 for 6 hours. The live calendar shows the price for each date.
What fish can I catch on Crescent Lake?
Largemouth bass and black crappie (specks) are the main targets. FWC also lists bluegill and redear sunfish in the lake.
What is included?
Your guide, the bass boat and fuel, rods, reels and tackle, artificial lures and life jackets. The Florida freshwater license, live shiners and the guide’s tip are not included.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. You can buy one online before the trip.
How many people can come?
Up to 4 people on the bass boat for bass trips. Choose your number of guests in the calendar; it shows how many can book.
Which trip length should I book?
A 4-hour trip is a good first trip and fits families. Bass trips run 4, 6 or 8 hours; crappie trips run 4 or 6 hours.
Where do we meet?
Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip. Crescent Lake is near Crescent City, south of Palatka.
What should I bring?
Your fishing license, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a light rain jacket, water and snacks, and a phone or camera in a dry bag.
What if the weather is bad?
If the guide cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule. You can also cancel for free up to 72 hours before your trip.
When is the best time to fish Crescent Lake?
Bass fishing is good all year, with the spawn in winter and early spring. Crappie fishing is best as the water cools in late fall and winter.
Nearby lakes and rivers
More guided trips around Palatka.
