Regulations: Statewide regulations apply on the lake (14 inch minimum size on largemouth bass, 5 fish bag, only 1 > 22 inches; 25 black crappie, no size limit; 50 panfish, no size limit) with the exception that possession of cast nets is prohibited. For convenience, the regulations have been posted at informational kiosks at the City of Ocoee boat ramp and at the City of Ocoee fishing pier.

Results:

Turkey Lake (339 acres)  [ To Top ]

Species focus:  Largemouth bass and black crappie

Partner:   City of Orlando

Target constituency:  Greater Orlando residents and visitors

Amenities:  Featured in BASSMASTER magazine, FLORIDA SPORTSMAN magazine and ESPN’s “Casting Crew”, Turkey Lake is located just minutes from BASS PRO SHOPS Outdoor World and Universal Studios. Thanks to cooperation between the FWC, City of Orlando and BASS PRO SHOPS, fishermen can rent a BASS TRACKER boat at the City of Orlando’s Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, for just $15 boat/day! The boats are equipped with live wells, trolling motors, anchors, depth finders, and park radios.

In order to maintain quality, boat fishing is limited to four boats, Thursday  – Sunday, 6:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Due to deed restrictions, these loaner boats are the only way the public can legally fish Turkey Lake from a watercraft.  The City’s boat concession area also has some loaner fishing poles equipped with a limited selection of bait and tackle.

While fishing this relatively clear, shallow grassy natural lake is certainly better from a boat [click  for Turkey Lake topographic map], five fishing piers (one fixed, four floating) help improve the bank fisherman’s odds. Shoreline fishing is available anytime the park is open or 24 hours/day for those camping. The fixed pier has fish feeders to attract fish as well as lights and a fish cleaning station.  The three floating piers in the primitive camping area have two oak-brush fish attractors within casting distance. Three additional oak-brush fish attractors (for boat anglers) and a park shoreline enhanced to maximize fisheries production round off the list of angler amenities.

Turkey Lake Park offers campsites, primitive cabins, a swimming pool, numerous picnic pavilions and bathrooms, a kid’s playground area, a Frisbee golf course and a “mock-up” of an old historic Florida farm. For boat loaner reservations or information on the Park call 407-299-5581.

Fishery: The bass population covers the full range of opportunities from smaller fish to an occasional fish in the 11- to 12-pound range. Spring fisheries samples have indicated that approximately half of the bass are 14 inches or more! By continuing the management strategy of developing and protecting good fisheries habitat and limiting harvest and pressure, the bass population should remain strong for years to come.

The black crappie (speck) population offers the angler a great shot at fish over 12 inches. A few “specks” even make it to 14-16 inches! Anglers are encouraged not to keep anymore than they can use, as this low to moderately dense population could be susceptible to over fishing. For now, maintaining quality will be accomplished by limiting pressure with the boats. Further regulations, however, may be necessary if a few anglers get “greedy”.

Even though largemouth bass and black crappie are the management focus for the lake, there are times when 8-inch plus bluegills are caught off the fishing piers or by black crappie fishermen. Most of the time a good catch of these bluegill is 10 fish or less for a four-hour fishing trip. Other fish available at Turkey Lake but not caught as frequently, include redear sunfish, warmouth, brown bullhead catfish and channel catfish.

General Fishing Tips: December through April soft jerk baits and top water plugs tossed in the Kissimmee grass, pads and other aquatic vegetation will usually provide good action on largemouth bass.  As the water warms try fishing crank baits and Texas-rigged plastics on main lake points, bottlenecks and at the fish attractors. 

Speck fishing is usually best October – February.  Missouri minnows (also known as fathead or crappie minnows) drifted under a float and split shot in the south lobe of the lake is one “time-tested” method of catching Turkey Lake “slabs”.  If no bites are had with this method try slow trolling or drifting without the floats.  Don’t give up until you’ve tried different depths and speeds.

Regulations: Catch-and-release for bass, statewide for black crappie (25 fish bag limit; no minimum size), reduced bag for bluegill (20; no size limit) and a reduced bag for channel catfish (6; no size limit). Possession of cast nets and use of gasoline motors (except for sanctioned City and FWC activities) is prohibited. For convenience, lake regulations have been posted in informational kiosks at three locations (boat concession, fixed fishing pier and primitive camping area).

Results:

Lake Underhill (147 acres): [ To Top ]

Species focus: Largemouth bass

Partner: City of Orlando

Target constituency: Greater Orlando residents and visitors

Amenities:    Lake Underhill, the newest FAB FIVE addition, was selected based on the lake’s excellent production of memorable size (20 inch plus) largemouth bass.  According to biologist electrofishing samples, it has one of the highest catch rates in the state for bass of this size. The 408 East‑West Expressway in east Orlando bisects this Fish Management Area (FMA), where bridge pilings provide shade and cover for both fish and anglers.  Bank fishing is available along the southern shore. A public boat ramp is located in a small park on the east end of the southern lobe.  Currently, Lake Underhill has one of the best bass fisheries in the greater Orlando area due to its outstanding coverage of submerged aquatic vegetation and its catch and release largemouth bass regulation.  However, it also receives heavy Jet Ski traffic in the warmer months so fish early in the morning and/or target the northern lobe, which generally is less traveled.  Other fish that can be caught besides largemouth bass include black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, white catfish and an occasional warmouth perch.  A sidewalk is located along the south lobe perimeter, providing a convenient place to walk, jog, or take your dog for a stroll.  For more information on Lake Underhill Park call 407-246-2283.

General Fishing Tips:  During the winter/spring, bass fishing is productive near pond weed, eelgrass, and hydrilla habitats in the south lobe.  Anglers fishing soft plastic baits (e.g., flukes, worms, and crayfish) in 5 to 8 feet of water are most successful during this time. Additionally, the north lobe can produce quality fishing during the winter/spring, as hydrilla “patches” adjacent to the Orlando Executive Airport provide ambush points for opportunistic largemouth.  Be sure to keep a rattletrap or top water bait handy, as schooling bass activity may occur during low light periods (e.g., overcast skies, dusk, and dawn). During the summer months, try fishing deeper water (i.e., 10-18 feet) adjacent to pond weed, eelgrass, and hydrilla habitats using Carolina, Texas, wacky, or drop shot rigged plastic worms.  Black crappies are primarily caught slow trolling fathead (Missouri) minnows in the deeper holes around the bridge area.  Bluegill and redear sunfish may be commonly hooked using crickets, night crawlers, and wigglers. 

Regulations:  Fishing regulations are as follows: Catch-and-release for largemouth bass, 20 panfish (no size limit), and 6 channel catfish (no size limit).

 Regulations:  Fishing regulations are as follows: 14 inch minimum size on largemouth bass (5 fish bag, only 1 > 22 inches), 25 black crappie (no size limit), 20 panfish (no size limit),  and 6 channel catfish (no size limit).

Clear Lake (313 acres) [ To Top ]

Species focus: Hybrid striped bass

Partner:  City of Orlando

Target constituency: Neighborhood residents

Amenities: George Barker Park (northeast corner of lake) has a nice two-lane boat ramp, and a fishing pier equipped with fish feeders.  Clear Lake Park (southeast corner of lake) also has a fishing pier and is located next to a popular hybrid striped bass fishing hole. Three fish attractors and transplanted eelgrass and bulrush aquatic plants complete the list of angler amenities.

 Fishery: Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, Clear Lake’s fishery is about catching, and keeping, hybrid striped bass. Clear lake’s green water and abundant shad are perfect for the fast-growing hybrid striper.

Raised in the FWC’s Richloam hatchery, the hybrid striped bass is a cross between the striped bass and white bass and usually does not reproduce in the wild.  In most cases, the cross stocked is what FWC biologists call a reciprocal cross (i.e. white bass female; striped bass male).  The “street” name for the reciprocal cross is the “sunshine bass”.  The “street” name for the original cross (striped bass female; white bass male) is the “palmetto bass”.  Patterned after Newnan’s Lake in Gainesville and Medard Reservoir in Hillsborough County, Clear Lake has been stocked at rates of 50 -100 hybrid striped bass fingerlings/acre since April 1999.

Most of the “hybrids” caught are one (9-12 inches) and two-year old (12 - 18 inches) fish. Occasionally, however, a larger 3-6 lb fish is hooked (usually age 3 -5). The majority of Clear Lake’s hybrid stripers do not live past age three because the proper summertime refuges do not exist for longevity of this cool water species.

While the hybrid striped bass may be the FWC’s management focus for Clear Lake, the lake’s constituents usually catch them while targeting “slab” black crappie (speck).  The speck population on this lake has historically been characterized by low to medium densities with a good number of larger individuals (11 – 13 inches) available for the catching.  Big channel catfish (20 – 30 inches in length) that were originally stocked by the FWC in April 1998 are also caught along with the “hybrids” and speck.   Other fish caught include largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), warmouth, white catfish (they are not actually white but have large heads and cream-colored barbels) and brown bullhead catfish. 

 General Fishing Tips: The majority of good fishing for the “hybrids” is in the cooler months (November – March).  To be consistently successful at catching hybrid striped bass on Clear Lake, pay close attention to the depth finder. Look for dredge holes, drops and baitfish and try different depths at each spot [click for Clear Lake topographical map]. 

There is no doubt that the best way to catch the hybrid striper in Clear Lake is to use crappie minnows or small domestic golden shiners.  One of the most effective techniques is to fish several rods at one time rigging each pole with a slip bobber, split shot and #4 or #6 gold hook set at a different depth (including right off the bottom).  Once it is determined which depth is best, set all poles to that depth.  WARNING!  Make sure the poles are firmly anchored or when a big “hybrid” takes the bait, the pole will become part of the lake bottom!  

Generally anchoring off the dredge holes and drops is most effective.  However, there are times when the fish are scattered or moving quickly where drifting or trolling works better.  When trolling try using lipless crank baits or positioning a jig/minnow on a dropper rig a foot above a 1 oz – 3 oz bank sinker.

Regulations: Statewide regulations apply on this water body (14 inch minimum size on largemouth bass, 5 fish bag, only 1 > 22 inches; 25 black crappie, no size limit; 50 panfish, no size limit) including a 20-fish hybrid striper bag limit with no size restrictions. The only exception is that possession of cast nets is prohibited.  For convenience, all of the regulations have been posted in informational kiosks at two locations (George Barker Park boat ramp and the point out from Claudia Allen Senior Center).