HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Florida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission

Edward Medard Reservoir, formerly known as Pleasant Grove Reservoir, is a 770 acre reclaimed phosphate mine within Edward Medard Park. This park is located in Hillsborough County, approximately six miles east of Brandon, one mile south of State Route 60 on Turkey Creek Road. The park, maintained by the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department, has facilities for fishing, boating, canoe rental, picnicking, camping, hiking, and swimming.

The reservoir was impounded in 1970 and is very popular, with approximately one-quarter million visitors annually. Medard Reservoir is a fertile and productive impoundment with an extensive, irregular shoreline. Bottom contours of the lake are very irregular as well, with an average depth of nine feet and maximum depth of 33 feet.

Admission is free (donations optional), with the park open from 6 a.m. to 6-8 p.m. (sunset) depending on the season and day of the week. After-hours fishing permits can be purchased by contacting the park office at (863) 653-7705. Outboard motors are allowed, but boats must operate at idle speed only for public safety and erosion prevention.

The Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department, Southwest Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are working to provide a quality fishing experience through cooperative fisheries management. Comments, questions, and suggestions concerning this program are greatly appreciated.

An Acrobat PDF file of this brochure is available at for printing. Visit our fisheries publications site for instructions on using PDF files and other fisheries brochures, maps and publications.