Find the great catches along the well-stocked waters of Highlands County. The hearty lakes are filled with large bass, crappie and bluegill.
The Florida Fishing and Wildlife Conservation Commission regularly selects the shallow 27,600-acre Lake Istokpoga as one of the state’s top fishing spots. The lake boasts one of the highest largemouth bass catch rates in Florida, and yields a high number of black crappie. Look for black crappie in the lake’s northeast and southwest corners, especially in cool winter months. Largemouth bass are found near canals, island areas and among aquatic vegetation year-round.
Predominant aquatic vegetation includes spadderdock, bulrush, cattail and pondweed. Kissimmee grass on the south end is particularly productive when there is flow into the
Istokpoga Canal.
Polk County
Polk County is home to more than 550 lakes. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, bluegill, sunshine bass, black crappie and catfish all year long.
Lake Arbuckle is Polk’s most pristine waterbody. This 3,828-acre lake produces bass, bluegill and crappie.
Lake Rosalie has good bass fishing in the spring and excellent crappie fishing during winter. This 4,579-acre lake is located east of Lake Whales.
Search for hefty largemouth bass in Lake Weohyakapka, otherwise known as Lake Walk-In-Water. The lake, more than 7,500 acres, is 10 miles east of Lake Wales and four miles south of State Road 60, between Lake Wales and Yeehaw Junction. Anglers may catch up to 25 trophy-size fish in a single day,
with fish weighing in at four to
eight pounds.
Fish camps are abundant throughout Polk County’s lakes. Camps are found on Lake Kissimmee, Lake Walk-In-Water, Lake Rosalie, Lake Hatchineha and the Winter Haven Chain
of Lakes.
For more information on Polk County’s numerous fishing spots, call (800) 828-7655 to order the Polk County Outdoor Recreation Guide, or visit www.sunsational.org.
Osceola County
Just minutes from downtown Kissimmee, Lake Tohopekaliga—Lake Toho for short—encompasses 17,810 acres, full of bluegill and largemouth bass. Lake Toho, the largest lake in the county, is dubbed as one of the best bass fishing lakes in the world. Look for bass in deeper waters during warmer months and near offshore vegetation in the Kissimmee lakefront area. Golden shiners, spinnerbaits and plastic worms are effective baits. National bass fishing tournament records have been set in this popular area. The lake is said to produce a great amount of bass over 10 pounds.
Lakes Kissimmee and Marian are best for bluegill shellcracker. All lakes in the lower chain are accessible from
the boat basin in Kissimmee through
a lock at the southwest corner of
Lake Tohopekaliga.
Lake County
The Harris Chain of lakes comprises nine lakes. The 76,000 acres contain mostly dark and stained water. There is some very clear water, but it is limited to the backs of residential canals and spring creeks that feed the lakes. These carry big, healthy bass.
Big Lake Harris is just that—big. Big and Little Lake Harris are among the largest lakes in Florida. Visitors find excellent bass fishing in Ninth Street Canal and Dead River.
Connected to Big Lake Harris, Lake Eustis spans 7,086 acres. It’s also the home of the famous “Gator Hole,” a deep sinkhole at the end of a natural canal leading off the main lake. This hole produces bass and a hearty amount of fish at the right time. The canals produce the most consistent action in Lake Eustis.
A host of problems contributed to decline of the fishery in the early 1990s. Currently, good catches of bass are occurring as eel grass, Kissimmee grass and hydrilla return. Water quality has greatly improved and the lake is expected to be an excellent fishery as restoration efforts continue.
Marion County
Freshwater fishing is available in the many lakes, streams and ponds of Ocala National Forest.
Large bass are found on Lake Bryant, inside the forest. The 767-acre lake is bordered with a bounty of grasses and lily pads, making a perfect environment for largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish. Live bait and artificial lures work well when fished near grasses. Live grass shrimp will attract bluegill, crappie and small bass.
During spring and summer, especially at dawn or dusk, schooling bass can be hooked with shad-imitating crankbaits in open water. Black crappie season runs December through March.
Rodman Reservoir is legendary for the number of trophy bass it produces. Covering 9,600 acres, it is a complex ecosystem that supports countless plant species and wildlife. The large stumps, trees and vegetation provide a covering for largemouth bass.
Orange County
Lake Conway is comprised of four interconnected pools. Largemouth bass fishing is good every season except summer when the bass often suspend and become difficult to catch. One of Conway’s “claims to fame” is its schooling bass during late fall and early winter. Schooling activity is best during cold, post-front conditions that shut down many of the area’s shallow lakes. Schooling bass are found by locating surface activity or by watching birds feed in offshore areas. Jigging spoons, topwater lures, soft jerkbaits and white spinnerbaits will all catch schooling bass.
Seminole County
Lake Monroe is a 9,406-acre lake that boasts striped mullet, Atlantic croaker and other species.
Lake Jessup is considered one of the best fisheries in the lower St. Johns River area for black crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish. Spinners and minnows work best on crappie, while crickets and worms attract bream.
Sumter County
Lake Miona is a fertile, open water lake connected to a 125-acre marsh. Anglers find largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish.
Lake Panasoffkee is a spring-fed lake flowing at a rate of two million gallons per hour. The shallow lake rarely exceeds four feet deep, and consists of 4,460 acres of fish management area. The lake is known for high populations of redear sunfish, as well as bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass.
February through April is the best time for bass fishing, though plenty is found year-round. Earthworms, grass shrimp and crickets are effective for catching panfish. Anglers should try top water lures and plastic worms to hook largemouth bass.
