Lone Star Lakes (Suffolk)

This place is just a bit down the road from me and I couldn't find much information on the place online so I decided to drive down there and have a look around. Its tucked away in Chuckatuck and I don't think you would have even noticed the place driving by if you weren't looking for it. The place was fairly nice with 11 lakes/ponds some of them interconnecting, an archery field, a field for rc planes, a playground for the kids, and horseback riding. In fact a few ppl riding horses were the only ppl I saw there. The lakes were fairly nice, lots of sunken tree branches and small islands. There was a boat ramp on just about every lake/pond with the two largest lakes having decent ramps while the others were gravel/dirt. Also lots of places for bank fishing. The DGIF says the lakes have crappie, bluegill, catfish, bass, and perch. When it warms up I'm gonna take my jon boat out there and give it a try. It looks like lots of privacy for those that like seclusion when they fish.

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Welcome aboard & thanks for all the excellent pix and reconnaissance report. We've had a few reports from members who have fished the LS lakes during the past few years. "Fair" is about the best description I remember.

JR the head Park Ranger for City of Suffolk is a friend of mine. He has always told me the best crappie lake in there is the following lake. Come in on the entrance road which comes past the Robert House Water Treatment Plant. This is the main entrance into the park where there is a guard shack at the gate. Once at the guard shack turn right and the lake immediatly on the right. This is the lake which the water intake for the water treatment plant is in. JR has told me he has caught some real nice crappie in there. Once the water and temps warm up a bit try it and let us know how you do. Your last picture is the ramp where there is a breach in the wall which has for years allowed the upper Chuckatuck creek at high tide to rush into that lake. This has made this lake salty.

AC

I believe the lake you are talking about is the one labeled Lake Annette. Does your friend know when the ranger shack is manned? There was no one there when I stopped by and I'd like to go in and get my boat permit when someone is there.

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Originally Posted by Andy Clayton

JR the head Park Ranger for City of Suffolk is a friend of mine. He has always told me the best crappie lake in there is the following lake. Come in on the entrance road which comes past the Robert House Water Treatment Plant. This is the main entrance into the park where there is a guard shack at the gate. Once at the guard shack turn right and the lake immediatly on the right. This is the lake which the water intake for the water treatment plant is in. JR has told me he has caught some real nice crappie in there. Once the water and temps warm up a bit try it and let us know how you do. Your last picture is the ramp where there is a breach in the wall which has for years allowed the upper Chuckatuck creek at high tide to rush into that lake. This has made this lake salty.

AC

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jsharlan, Im sure there is crappie in those lakes, but theres alot of places id rather fish (Burnt Mills, Buggs, Western Branch)

I grew up in chuckatuck, right there on Mulberry Lane (the rd to the left at the water treatment plant) I use to hike and fish back there nearly every day, of course in those days I fished for bass and bream, and use to catch nearly 60 bream a day by the age of 8 or 9. I fished Crystal lake in Nov had minnows fished all depths with eight rods and took a skunkin..

Andy I believe the lake you are refering to is Crane lake, the chuckatuck creek flows right in and out during tide changes. I fished it last year, boy let me tell you when the tide is flowing out you dont want to be trying to trailer a boat... the breech is right at the ramp...

I heard a couple months ago lake Butler has had a breech too.... sad to hear that...

I think my Lone star days are over... Best of luck Jsharlan!

I think it is maned in the warmer months. Durring the week if you can get into the park before 3 or 4 take the right at the guard shack and stay on that road all the way to the back. You will go past the archery area. There is a equipment shed with office there. JR has an office there and that is where the park rangers usually are if not out on patrol. Anyone back there can give you info on fishing permits; ect. I'll give him a call tomorrow and post about permits if I remember.

AC

I will def. be giving Burnt Mills and Western Branch a try this year as well, but I don't mind the closeness and quietness of lone star for my crappie and bluegill fishing as long as I don't come up dry too much.

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Originally Posted by Percidae_Papermouth

jsharlan, Im sure there is crappie in those lakes, but theres alot of places id rather fish (Burnt Mills, Buggs, Western Branch)

I grew up in chuckatuck, right there on Mulberry Lane (the rd to the left at the water treatment plant) I use to hike and fish back there nearly every day, of course in those days I fished for bass and bream, and use to catch nearly 60 bream a day by the age of 8 or 9. I fished Crystal lake in Nov had minnows fished all depths with eight rods and took a skunkin..

Andy I believe the lake you are refering to is Crane lake, the chuckatuck creek flows right in and out during tide changes. I fished it last year, boy let me tell you when the tide is flowing out you dont want to be trying to trailer a boat... the breech is right at the ramp...

I heard a couple months ago lake Butler has had a breech too.... sad to hear that...

I think my Lone star days are over... Best of luck Jsharlan!

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Here is a phone number you can give a call tomorrow.

Daily and annual permits are available at the Park Ranger Office. Boat rentals are not available, and gas-powered motors are not permitted. Electric motors are permitted. For more information, please call 757-255-4308

PP, I haven't heard about lake Butler but I do know I have price closing the breach on "Crane" lake twice over the last 4 years. I'm not sure about the name of that lake and I think your right. I was told Crane Lake got it's name because when Lone Star closed the mining operation they just left the crane there. It is suppose to be still there under water.

AC

all i know is that the lakes at lone star are NOT noted for decent crappie. not to say their are not some decent fish just far and few between. stick to the suffolk lakes. b/m and cahoon are noted for big slabs

We have had a few board members fish there but the results were never great. But heck, you never know until you try. Let us know how you do.