A 339-acre downtown Orlando lake just south of the Citrus Bowl (Tinker Field). A GFC boat ramp on Gore Street provides public access. A park adjacent to the ramp has waterfront access for bank anglers. A restoration plan to improve sportfish habitat and populations is nearly complete. Largemouth bass, bluegill, shellcracker, speckled perch, catfish, and sunshine bass are in good supply. The fish population should continue to improve as a result of the restoration program.
The city of Clermont lies along the shore of this 11-lake chain. Lakes range in size from 20 to 3,634 acres, and most are tea-colored. Lake Minneola (1,888 acres), in the center of the chain, is the only lake that normally has clear water. Threadfin shad are a productive bait for bass. Worms, crickets and small spinner baits are good for bluegill and shellcracker. Minnows and jigs are good for speckled perch. Channel catfish are abundant and 20 pounders are not uncommon. An unusual bait for catfish is freshly caught gar, filleted and cut into one-inch cubes and fished near the bottom.
A fishing pier on Lake Minneola provides access to bank anglers. Most of the lakes have fish attractors that are marked with a buoy to indicate the center of the attractor. Public boat ramps are located on Lake Minneola ($5 fee); and on the Palatlakaha River, on Hull Road off C.R. 561A, just upstream of Lake Louisa (3,634 acres). All lakes are Fish Management Areas so a fishing license is required for most anglers; check your Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Sportfishing Guide and Regulations Summary for rules pertaining to Fish Management Areas.
Five interconnected lakes in the south Orlando area are collectively referred to as Lake Conway. The public boat ramp is located off Hofner Avenue, two blocks east of Orange Avenue (S.R. 527).
The chain has nearly 1,800 acres of clear water and hard sand bottom, with beds of peppergrass and eelgrass scattered offshore. Some of the best fishing occurs in off-shore areas where aquatic plants or dropoffs are found. Largemouth bass fishing is best from fall through spring. Silver spoons and chrome-colored rattling lures do best when bass are actively schooling during fall and late spring. Schooling bass can be found by locating surface activity or by watching birds feeding in offshore areas on shad and glass minnows pushed to the surface by feeding bass. During the spawning season, bass often are caught in shallow vegetated areas.
Offshore eelgrass beds around islands in the east pool of the north lake are a good place to fish for both bass and speckled perch during early spring. Speckled perch can be caught on minnows, but many anglers use beetle spins or jigs in deeper areas of the lake. Troll or drift until concentrations of speckled perch are located. Bream fishing is best where plant beds are found, with live bait producing the best results.
This is a clear 147-acre relatively deep Ocala National Forest lake. A public boat ramp is located on the western shore about l/2- mile east of S.R. 19 and 3 miles south of S.R. 40. A public fishing pier adjacent to the ramp provides bank fishing opportunities. Like most forest lakes, largemouth bass typically are small, but a few bragging size fish are caught. Although deep water pools exist, a small boat is recommended to reach expansive, grassy flats.
A three-lake chain just north of Umatilla, with access via a public boat ramp on S.R. 450. Bass, bluegill, shellcracker and speckled perch are the dominant sport fish. These lakes feature unusual contours for Florida lakes. The deepest water is found near shore, with a ridge rising in the center. There is little vegetation or other structures on the lake bottoms. A border of cattails and intermingled grasses rings each lake. Bass often are found near the deep water closest to shore and where the bottom rises to the center ridge. There are six fish attractors in Lake Ella (467 acres), the largest and most distant lake from the public boat ramp. Good catches of bass have been reported by anglers fishing the edge of attractors.
2,424 acres of water that lie in Lake and Orange counties on S.R. 50 west of Winter Garden. Irregular bottom contours and natural water level fluctuations create habitat that produces an excellent bass fishery. Bluegill, shellcracker and speckled perch also are plentiful. Fishing conditions vary with water level fluctuations. There is some shallow water offshore, and at times emergent vegetation grows in these areas to produce islands. These areas act as natural fish attractors and are good places to fish for bass, and bedding bluegill and shellcracker. A GFC boat ramp is located just south of S.R. 50.
Formerly famous for largemouth bass fishing, 30,671-acre Lake Apopka is a highly polluted lake in Orange and Lake counties. A GFC ramp in Magnolia Park on C.R. 437 and a county ramp in the city of Winter Garden provide boating access. Despite poor quality fish habitat, speckled perch populations support a decent fishery in the Gourd Neck Springs area. Sunshine bass have been stocked most years since 1980. With abundant shad for forage, sunshines average four pounds by their third year, and fish over six pounds are not uncommon. Saltwater bait shrimp and live grass shrimp fished near the bottom in the spring boil produce the best results. Cooler months are best for crappie and sunshine bass.
Polk County's most pristine waterbody, this 3,828-acre lake produces excellent bass, bluegill and crappie catches. On the north end of the lake, boat access is on Lake Arbuckle Road off North Lake Reedy Boulevard, south of CR 630, east of Frostproof Very limited bank fishing.
This 767 acre lake is in the Ocala National Forest, but not managed by the park, Fish the shoreline lily's and vegetation for seasonal bass, bluegill and shellcracker, Speck fishing is hot or cold, but when its hot its hot. A private fish camp on 183rd ave off SR 40 is the the only access to the lake.
At 1,765 acres, this deeply tannin-stained lake is one of the larger lakes in the Ocala National Forest. Public boat ramps are located on the western shore just off S.R. 19. The northern ramp is in a fee area operated by the U. S. Forest Service. Bluegill, shellcracker, and speckled perch fishing is good seasonally. Largemouth bass generally are small but an occasional trophy-size fish is caught.
This 308 acre lake is in the Ocala National Forest and is Maintained by the Forest Service, which has provided anglers with three seperate fishing piers. Most fish caught bluegill, warmouth or crappie with undersized bass also landed. There is a small ramp near the piers for lake access as well as bridge fishing from the CR 314 Overpass.
Lake Griffin (16,505 acres) in the Ocklawaha Chain has suffered from water quality and habitat problems due to surrounding development, and bass fishing is very poor. Despite these problems, black crappie fishing is good during winter, beginning in November with January through April the peak months. Anglers should try around the Bird Island, Treasure Island and areas northward. Both shellcracker and bluegill fishing is good in April and May along the western shore and in the northwest quarter of the lake around Bird Island. Hurlong Park on U.S. Hwy 441 in Leesburg provides an excellent access site.
This 2,162-acre chain of three lakes is located just west of US Hwy. 27. Two boat ramps and a private fish camp provide access to this beautiful lake. A fish attractor is marked for anglers to locate and catch bass and panfish.
This lake covers 6,058 acres and is home to some very good bass, crappie and bream fishing. Access is limited but can be gained by either the boat ramp on Mullet Rd off SR 46 via the St. Johns or a ramp in Lemon Bluff just south of Osteen.
Harris (13,788 acres) has been known as the best bass lake in the Ocklawaha Chain, although unexplained disease problems in the early '90s led to a decline in the fishery. Bass fishing has rebounded with fish up to six pounds taking artificials in tributaries in the southern portion of the lake (Helena Run, Double Run). Black crappie fishing picks up January through April. Early in the season, look for specks in the grass, with fish moving to open water later in the year. Anglers may pick up sunshine bass working deep holes for crappie.
The hotspot for bream has been the S.R. 19 bridge between Tavares and Howey-in-the-Hills, and in Little Lake Harris to the south. Public access to Lake Harris is available on U. S. Hwy 27 south of Leesburg and at Hickory Point on S.R. 19 south of Tavares ($2). Both areas feature pier fishing with GFC fish attractors within casting distance of shoreline anglers.
This 10,011 acre lake supports some of the best bream fishing in the area, but bass fishing can be a bit of a dissapointment at best. Public access is obtained via ramps at Mullet Lake Rd off SR 46 and at the Black Hammock Fish Camp off SR 434.
Access to these Fish Management Areas is through a private fee ramp located west of CR 559 off Fish Haven Road at the Fish Haven Camp. A canal on the east side of Lake Juliana provides the only access to Lake Mattie where crappie fishing is consistently good from October through March. There is no bank access to either lake.
This 282 acre lake is located within the Ocala National Forest, altho it is not known for its great bass fishing, it has produced some lunkers in the past. Access can be obtained via a private ramp and given the realtive size of the lake, a smaller boat is most adviseable. The lake is located north of SR 40 on CR 314.
This 2,830 acre lake is in the natiuonal forest near Salt Springs and also is not managed by the park. This lake is very deep, in some spots over 20 feet. Bass in this lake are on the smaller size, with the occasional lunker being landed. Fish for shellcracker, bluegill and warmouth in the shallower water along the banks near vegetation. A gfc Boat Ramp off Forest Road 88 is just south of CR 316.
A 156-acre lake in West Orlando just north of S.R. 50. A GFC boat ramp in Barnett Park provides access. A fishing pier and cleared shoreline on the west shore is available for bank fishing. Largemouth bass, bluegill, and shellcracker fishing is good. Sunshine bass are stocked annually and often reach three or four pounds in as many years.
This 418 acre lake is connected to the 125 acre marsh known as Black Lake. It has had excellent Bass, bluegill and sunfish fishing in the past, There are two fish attractors in the lake to help congrgate and promote the health of the lake. Public access is via a GFC Ramp on the lake which is on CR 472 south of Oxford.
This lake is 9,406-acres and has terriffic crappie fishing in the cooler months and excellent bass fishing practically year round. At the seawall along US 17, its not unusual to catch a striped mullet or an atlantic croaker. Public access can be made from ramps at the Sanford Marina, a ramp at the intersection of US hwy17/92 and I-4 and off enterprise Rd on the northern side of the lake.
This 4,460 acre lake is Spring fed and relatively shallow,. The bottom is covered with tape grass and hold some excellent Shellcracker, BLuegill and bass fishing, The angler must use the appropiate tackle for the water levels. Also one must consider the size of baot to be used due to its water levels as well, Small boats are advised. Boats can be launched from the Outlet River west of the lake on CR 470 south of SR 44, There are also plenty of fish camps along this lake that provide access.
Located just north of Lakeland, Lake Parker is a 2,272-acre Fish Management Area with very good largemouth bass and bluegill fishing. Sunshine bass are stocked and can be caught during the winter near the power plant at the southeast corner of the lake. A long fishing pier has been built by the plant and provides excellent fishing. A city park located at Glendale Avenue and Lakeshore Drive has a boat ramp and abundant bank access.
A 4,579-acre clear lake, Rosalie has good bass fishing in the spring and excellent crappie fishing in the winter. Located east of Lake Wales on Lake Rosalie Road, west of Tiger Lake Road and north off SR 6O, boats can be launched from the park at the south end, and a small pier offers bank access.
A 147-acre lake in east Orlando. The East-West Expressway bisects the lake, and bridge pilings provide fishing structure. A public boat ramp is located in a small park on the southern lobe of the lake. Bank fishing is available along the southern shore and another small park on the west end of the northern lobe. Largemouth bass, crappie and catfish populations are good. Sunshine bass are stocked to give urban anglers an additional fishing opportunity. This is a good place to take young or inexperienced urban anglers on a first fishing trip.
Also known as Lake Weohyakapka, this 7,523-acre lake is a popular fishing area east of Lake Wales. South of SR 60 off Lake Walk-In-Water Road, a county park is on the west shore of the lake with a boat ramp but very limited bank access.
This 5,685 acre lake is another of the areas depp lakes, with water over 20 feet deep. The shoreline has a string of vegetation and then starts it drop. Fish this drop with live bait for bass or drop deep shiners freelined in deeper water, There are fish atrractors throguhout the lake in about 10-12 feet of water. Shellcracker are excellent during the spring. Public access is gained through a GFC ramp off CR 25 or the county ramp off Sunset Harbor Road.
This 4,042-acre lake is healthier than others in the Ocklawaha Chain and has a good largemouth bass fishery. Access is at the county park off C.R. 452 on the outskirts of Eustis and C.R. 450 north of Umatilla.
This 210 acre lake is part of the Ocala National Forest and supports good bass, bluegill and perch fishing. Look for fish near or along the weedline near shore before the water drops off, Live bait can be productive in the more deep sections. A ramp provided by the US forest service is located east of silver springs on SR 40.
The Ocklawaha Chain of Lakes (Harris chain) has its principal headwaters in Lake Apopka through the Beauclair Canal and the Clermont Chain of Lakes through the Palatlakaha River into Lake Harris. Lake County waters include Beauclair (1,111 acres), Dora (4,475 acres), Eustis (7,806 acres), Denham (269 acres), Griffin (16,505 acres), Harris (13,788 acres) and Yale (4, 042 acres).
Lake levels are regulated by dams located in the Beauclair Canal between lakes Apopka and Beauclair (controls water level of Lake Apopka), in Haines Creek between lakes Eustis and Griffin (controls levels of Eustis, Harris, Dora, Beauclair, Carlton and Denham), and in the Ocklawaha River (C-231 Canal) at Moss Bluff about 11 miles downstream (North) of Lake Griffin (controls Lake Griffin). All of the dams have locks which allow boat passage during normal operating hours.
This counties portion of the river is where the Oklawaha and Silver rivers merge into a winding, scenic stream, fully engulfed by a tree canopy. Bass fishing is really good during the early parts of the year, but is also productive year round as are the Redbreast and sunfish fishing. Ramps for access are located: at a private fish camp of SR 42, Moss Bull Ramps upstream and downstream for the lock and the dam at CR 464, Ray Wayside park at SR 40. Gore's Landing east of SR 325, Eureka Ramps on CR 316 adjacent to the bridge, Rodamn Ramp just downstream of the Rodman Dam and off of SR 19 north of Salt Springs.
This canoeists favorite river is a beautiful spot to target bass, snook and catfish near snags where the current is strong, or Look for tarpon in the lower river. Bass, brea, and catfish are founf thuout the river and huge snook are present year round. Bank fishing is best around Gardner and ramps are accessable off CR 665, 1.5 miles or so west of US hwy17 or off CR 622 near Gardner, east of US hwy 17 near Wauchula.
This stretch of water is a nealry 6 mile off shoot of the Withlacoochee river, The system is fed by a spring and no fishing is allowed for 1 mile downstream of the headwaters, once past this marker, fishing for bass, bluegill and shellcracker is very good, but may be difficult at times due to the very clear water, this means that your technique must be consitant with low light conditions, a light line and staying out of site of the fish.
Located in Frostproof, a boat ramp and limited bank access is available in a park off North Lake Reedy Boulevard, south of CR 630. This 3,486-acre lake has a very good fishery, especially crappie fishing near the fish attractors during winter.
This 326-acre Fish Management Area is a phosphate lake with five boat ramps and extensive bank fishing. Fish attractors have been installed adjacent to fishing piers. Special regulations on bass harvest and other activities are posted. Saddle Creek Park offers a variety of outdoor activities and is located off US Hwy. 92, just east of Lakeland.
This 378 acre lake with clear water and small amounts of vegetation supports undersized bass, good bluegill, warmouth and shellcracker, but must be fished stealthly as the water is so clear. A public, unmaintained ramp south of SR 40 and west of SR 19 is the spot to access this lake.
All along this river and its lakes it connects, lake Beresford (800 acres), Lake Woodruff (2,200 acres) and Lake Dexter (1,902 acres) produce excellent catches of largemouth bass, striped bass, sunshine bass, crappie, and bream. Look along runs of vegetation and along structure as this is where the fish hole up. Also look for the mouth of Springrun creek and Get-Out creek, where the rivers and creeks meet for schooling fish.
Located east of Lakeland off CR 33, this 6,000-acre area managed by the Commission offers many recreational activities such as hiking and picnicking, as well as excellent fishing in 1,000 acres of phosphate lakes. Eight to 10 1akes are open for fishing and managed to provide high quality angling. Special regulations stressing catch-and-release of largemouth bass apply. The area is open Thursday through Sunday and fishing reservations can be made by calling (813) 499-2422 Thursday through Sunday between noon and 4 p.m.
The lakes in the Kissimmee Chain comprise the headwaters for the entire Everglades system. The upper part of the Chain originates in Orange County with lakes Hart (1,850 acres) and Mary Jane (1,158 acres) and continues south through lakes Center (410 acres), Trout (273 acres), Coon (148 acres), Lizzie (792 acres), Alligator (3,406 acres), Brick (616 acres), East Tohopekaliga (11,968 acres), and Gentry (1,791 acres). These lakes are acidic with tannin-stained, relatively unproductive water. Bass fishing on the upper Kissimmee Chain is tough generally. However, at times decent numbers of bass can be found in Alligator Lake, East Lake Tohopekaliga and Lake Gentry. Access to East Lake Tohopekaliga is available in the city of St. Cloud on Lakeshore Drive. Lakes in the Alligator Chain are accessible from a ramp off C.R.534, 5 miles east of U.S. Hwy 192.
The lower Kissimmee Chain is comprised of lakes Tohopekaliga (18,810 acres), Cypress (4,097 acres), Hatchineha (6,665 acres), Jackson (1,020 acres), Marian (5,739 acres), and Kissimmee (34,948 acres). Almost all have periodic navigational problems with hydrilla. The lower Kissimmee Chain is shallow and extremely sensitive to weather fronts in the winter and early spring. Those fishing shiners will be the most successful under strong cold fronts. Speck fishermen divide time between the open water and the grass. Spawning specks start showing up in bulrush, cattails, kissimmee grass and lily pads in December or January.
Lakes Kissimmee and Marian are best for bluegill and shellcracker in the one-pound-plus range. The last full moon in March almost always finds bedding shellcracker, and bedding bluegill come in about the time shellcrackers are slowing down (April/May). All lakes in the lower chain are accessible from the boat basin in Kissimmee through a lock at the southwest corner of Lake Tohopekaliga. Other access points are at Lake Cypress Rd., off C.R.523 out of St. Cloud; and on Overstreet Rd. (Lake Kissimmee) off C.R.523, 25 miles south of St. Cloud.
This 339 acre lake, with clear, shallow and grassy waters is maintained and watched by a cooperation between the FWC, The City of Orlando and Bass Pro Shops. Thru this unity, they have created a premeire spot, not far from our tourist district, that promotes and displays our areas fishing to some of those that normally wouldn't get to experience Florida Fishing, Whether from out of town or a local, the fishing oppurtunities here are spectactular, Plebty of Bank Fishing, Boat Rentals, Fishing Piers and barges give the angler a got shot at catching a very nice bass or tons of crappie. Access to the lake can be reached via the park located of S. Hiawassee road, north of SR 91.
This 258-acre lake is clear and unusually deep, near the intersection of S.R. 19 and S.R. 40. A public boat ramp, park, swimming beach and picnic area are available on the north shore. Largemouth bass over 14 pounds have been caught, but most bass are 10 to 14 inches long. Speckled perch, bluegill, and shellcracker are good seasonally. This lake is very popular for water skiing and swimming. Fishing trips should be scheduled on weekdays, early and late in the day.
A 4,720-acre chain made up of nine interconnected lakes. The only boat access is a county ramp on Lake Down on C.R. 439. Parking is limited. Lakes typically are clear and have sandy bottoms. Small, slow-growing bass are common but an occasional lunker is taken. Bluegill, shellcracker, crappie, and bullhead catfish provide a variety of fishing opportunities. Channels between lakes are shallow, particularly during low rainfall periods. Jon boats and small bass boats are recommended.
Nine lakes compose this 6,000-acre chain where fishing and boating are extremely popular. Boat and shore access to the South Chain is available at lakes Summitt, Shipp, Howard, Cannon, and Hartridge. The North Chain can be accessed through lakes Rochelle and Haines. Sunshine bass are stocked in both the South and North Chain. Fish attractors are located and marked in lakes Howard, Winterset, Cannon, Smart, and Haines. Successful bass anglers try flipping their lure along and at shoreline plants, such as cattail and maidencane. Lake Cannon is located off Lake Cannon Drive, south of SR 544, and Lake Shipp is off CR 655, south of SR 540. The North Chain's Lake Conine is located east of US Hwy. 17 off SR 544, and Lake Haines is east of US Hwy. 92 at the end of East Haines Boulevard.
2,781 acres in downtown Winter Park. Lakes Virginia, Osceola, Maitland, Mizell and Minneola are interconnected with narrow, but relatively deep channels. A public ramp located behind Rollins College provides boat access, but a ramp use permit is required from the City of Maitland or Winter Park. Water skiing and sightseers in pontoon boats may give anglers the illusion that the chain is not a good fishery. Largemouth bass, sunshine bass, and crappie populations are decent and can provide good angling in an urban setting. Lake Virginia is best for sunshine bass and crappie; Osceola and Maitland for largemouth bass.
This 157 mile long system originates in the Green Swamp of Hernando County and flows thru Sumter, Marion, Citrus and Levy Counties. Thw water varies in between shallow, wide runs that are heavily vegetated, to faster, narrower, rocky runs. At times vegetation can caus enavigation and fish habitat problems. The bass fishing, sunfish, warmouth, catfish and bluegill fishing can be excellent though, if you find the fish. Public Ramps are located at SR 44 in Rutland, CR 470 North of Lake Panasoffkee, CR 470 at the oulet river west of the lake, CR 39 north of SR 200, US hwy41 in Dunnellon and SR 40 at yankeetown. There are alos several private fish camps in the area.
Fishing Reports
Fishing Calendar
