Fishing Western Lake (Feb 27, 2014) Still cool in Destin, think the temperature only made it up
    into the high 50s today but had to get out of the house. Bass are on the beds in the local lakes, so headed
    over to Western Lake. Western Lake is one of the Walton County Coastal Dune Lakes located about 18
    miles east of Destin.













    It is a fresh water lake that empties directly into the ocean. Through storm surges and seepage, some salt
    water does get into the lake at times. The water is tannic (tea) color but it remains relatively clear. I have
    heard there are redfish in it but I have never caught one. Lake Watch  says it is around 215 acres in size. The
    water level appeared to be a little lower than from what I have seen before, down about a foot or so.













    Looking at the map above, you can see that Western Lake is essentially 4  lakes joined by a small channels
    of water of water running between them. Today I fished only the western part, next to the town of Grayton
    Beach.













    Got to the lake around 1:30 pm and launched from the ramp located at the eastern end of Holtz Ave in the
    town of Grayton Beach. If you have ever been to the Red Bar, you can see the ramp from it. Grayton Beach is
    pretty empty right now, just a few snow birds and locals. Parking at the ramp is limited, maybe 3-4 vehicles
    max, but I was the only person using the ramp and on the lake today.




























    Water temperature was around 57 F with a north wind, so let the wind push me south along the bank toward
    the beach. Started getting shallow as you turn the corner to the outlet and pretty soon bottomed out on the
    shoals. So turned around and headed up the east bank.













    The outlet to the ocean was too shallow to get near so turned around and went north along the eastern
    shore. It is covered with grass and drops off quickly to a few feet.













    Looked to be about 7' deep in the middle and water temperature was 57 F. Had no luck on deep running
    crank baits, worms, or spinner baits. I have heard that junebug, watermelon, green pumpkin were good colors
    for worm, but no luck today.













    To get out of the wind I went to the  northwest side of the lake and fished along the banks and docks.




















    Went to the old standby Mirrolure 17MR suspending jerk bait and had my first fish off one of the docks there.
    Small but fun. I have heard there are red fish in the lake but I have never caught one.













    Continued north and explored the creek feeding the lake. It was deep enough (3') to get back into it a ways.
























    And got the second fish there. Still small and was the last one I would get today.  Came back down the west
    bank throwing on the docks and reeds but no luck. Pulled out around 4:00 pm.

   

Known as the "luckiest fishing village", Destin is the home to some of the best saltwater fishing in the United States. The 100 Fathom  (600' depth) Curve of the Gulf of Mexico draws closer
to Destin than any other spot in Florida. This, along  with  Destin's close  proximity  to  the East  Pass  and  the Gulf  of Mexico, allows quick access to the Gulf of Mexico's  fishing bounty.  
The  purpose  of  this site  is  to acquaint a new fisherman  to  the Destin area  -  our local facilities, fish, waters and fishing methods. Tight lines and good fishing!







    Trip Report

    Western Lake

    2014-2-27



         
            

This web site is updated as I have time from other things going on. As there are a 1000 + different ways to do things, this is only
my way of fishing, nothing else,  and it is not the last word in fishing the area. I am by no means an expert but if you would like my opinion on something related to fishing the area,
please email me at
FishingDestinGuide@cox.net.  It may take a few days before I get to it, so be patient. Thanks.....

© Copyright  2014 Fishing Destin Guide
All rights reserved     
Fishing Destin Guide©






Western Lake, Grayton Beach, Fl

A local's guide to fishing around Destin and the Florida Panhandle    
Counter

View Western Lake in a larger map
Holtz Ave Ramp
Entrance to the channel going to the eastern part of
the lake
The dunes between the lake and beach
Looking south toward the outlet. Water was only
a few feet deep here.
Western Lake, about 18 miles
east of Destin on Hwy 30A