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Does anyone know where I can find a topographical map for Lake Manatee? Thinking about going speck fishing over there sometime soon. I have never targeted these fish, but I understand I should look for deeper water to try to find them. Thanks.

I fished Lake Manatee a few times in 2005 near the upper (east) end.

I caught some bass from a kayak casting right up against the weedy shoreline.

It would be nice to find a map of bottom topo. Some agency probably has such information but who?

Watch for the alligators and let us know if you find the "specks"

I would check with Manatee County Utilities to start, it's their lake. We've had good luck putting in by the fish camp at the East end and going back up past the SR 64 bridge.

If you could locate some old topo maps from before the dam being built you could use those as well. The deepest areas would be in the old river channel.

Thanks Chief. Good ideas. I'll let you know if I can dig anything up.

Google Steve Gibson's Blog and read all his info on Lake Manatee. He has targeted specks and hybrids which are deeper water fish and should have some useful info. Also the head park ranger at Oscar Shearer is a Lake Manatee expert. Ive had very good success targeting shoreline structure for Bass. Very nice place to fish, I usually dont see a soul the entire trip on the water.