Lake Monroe, Sanford FL

[silverado08]

Hey Yall,
lookin for a new body of water to hit, and a buddy of mine at school was tellin me about the lake monroe, and said its part of the st johns river system. i was wonderin a few things about the lake. Basics, like water clarity, is it tidal, and can I run up the rive to the left of the bridge? im probably gonna use the ramp thats right near the bridge. Is this a good ramp or do you reccomend another ramp?

thanks

[Mickstix]

The water clairity is about 1' or less on most of the river and lake. There is a freshwater inlet on the nw corner of Monroe where the water is clearer, but is probably too shallow to get there currently. The entire lake and river are extremely low at the moment, and you should set down 75 yards or so before any vegetation, to keep from getting stuck or bottoming out.. Yes, you can run the river north (to the left) and south, of Monroe! Just be wary of the manatee/min wake zones, especially heading north, and on the north half of Monroe..(Volusia Co. is all about the manatees unfortunately) The ramp on the south side of the bridge is free, and is a good ramp. There's no security there though, but I've never had any issues.. On the north side of the bridge is another ramp, that is in a park, so it's a small fee (and I beieve doesnt open until 7am) but is patrolled by security.. Both ramps are very nice, imo.. The pay ramp will be the less crowded if that matters. With the water so low, Im not sure what the best bet would be on the lake, but if you run the river, look for pad fields near bends in the river (that have 3-5' of water under em') and flip em' with your favorite black/blue or junebug colored plastics. Best of luck!!

(edit) The tide doesnt effect the lake or river, this far south. I think you'd have to go up to at least Lake George, if not farther north, before the tide comes into play.

[George]

Mick good to see you are back

[Rooster835]

+1

[ol man river]

the tide does affect the river south of lake george, albeit just to dexter..it just flows a little slower northward on the incoming tide....

[Mickstix]

Thanks guys, and thanks for the tide info Sam!

[Bill2e]

Lake Monroe is very very shallow right now and will be frusting until you learn it.

Last months Tx took 20+ lbs to win (of course I oonly had 8)

all of the bigg wieght came south of lake moroe in the canals that connect monroe to Jessup.

The are schoolers on the river near blue spings. I cought fish in the pads on the main river and oxbows. T-rig trick work in 3-5 foot of water. Be carefull the river is down at least 4 feet right now