Kenansville Lake is a shallow 2,500- acre impoundment with an average water depth of 3 feet. This area was cattle pasture prior to flooding in 1993. Boaters, especially those unfamiliar with this water body, should navigate with caution as there are rows of submerged fence posts throughout the lake. Interior levees are also located at the north, center and south areas of the lake. A single lane concrete boat ramp is the only facility on the site. The town of Kenansville is the closest place to obtain gas, food and bait. Although most anglers fish this area by boat, bank fishing is available along the access canal and north end of the lake for those willing to walk or ride a bicycle to those areas. The most popular fish species include: black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. All largemouth bass are protected by a special no harvest regulation.

Black crappie fishing should really turn on as water temperatures in this reservoir begin to cool. Most of the specks will be caught within the submerged drainage canals running along the northern, eastern, and southern shorelines of the reservoir. Fish may also be caught in the center canal that bisects the northern and southern pools. A native plant re-vegetation project has been very successful in establishing bulrush around the reservoir. Many anglers use a cane pole or telescoping pole to deliver a jig or minnow to specks that are tight in the bulrushes. Also look for occasional patches of hydrilla that may be present in open water holding food items that would attract specks. Traditional jigs (twister tail and tube style) and techniques often work well, but most anglers have better success with live minnows. Some slow-troll along the canals or fish them under a small float. Keep adjusting the depth of the minnow beneath the float until fish are located. Bluegill, redear, and catfish are less active during this time period but should still be caught in fair numbers by those anglers targeting black crappie.

If water levels remain high this fall, largemouth bass fishing should be great along the western shoreline. Before the water temperature cools appreciably, anglers should try weedless baits in the patches of pickerel weed emerging from the shallows. Also try tossing plastic worms and jig-’n-pig combinations where deeper emergent vegetation (bulrush, cattail) may be found. Bass may also be caught by fishing along the brush/weed edges along the submerged canals. Plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and golden shiners should be considered standard tools of the trade when targeting these fish. Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass caught must be released immediately under the special no-harvest regulation.

 Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass caught must be released immediately under the special no-harvest regulation.

A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the St. Johns Water Management District here.