NEWS
RELEASE
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
February 6, 1998
CONTACT: Mark A. Trainor (904) 488-4676
FLORIDA'S TOP BASS LAKES FOR 1998
Last year was a banner year for catching trophy bass in Florida, and another bumper crop is on the way this year, according to officials at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Bass fishing in Florida is drastically improved following the end of a prolonged drought and in response to new fisheries management efforts. Florida once again is producing big bass, like the ones that lured anglers from all over the world during the 1950s and '60s.
Dr. Jerry Shireman, director of the FWC's Division of Freshwater Fisheries, said anglers have reported steady increases in the number of big bass they've caught during the past few years, and the prospects look bright for anglers to catch 10-pound bass in Florida.
"Bass regulations implemented in 1992, along with a return to normal rainfall that ended a long-term drought, have produced a favorable environment for bass to thrive," Shireman said. "A period of low stabilized water levels during the late 1980s inhibited bass populations across the state."
During the past five years, Florida's trophy bass have had a tremendous resurgence. In 1992, the average weight of the largest bass caught from 197 tournaments was approximately 4 pounds. By 1997, the average weight increased to 7 pounds (see Herb Allen's article). Just last year, tournament anglers on Lake Okeechobee caught 170 bass over 8 pounds.
Bass fishing is good throughout the state, and anglers face a tough decision about where to fish, with more than 7,500 lakes available. For information on Florida's freshwater fishing opportunities and fishing forecasts visit www.state.fl.us/FWC/fishing/forecast/index.html.
These Florida lakes have been selected by FWC fisheries biologists as top destinations for catching trophy bass in 1998.
Most anglers are successful flipping or pitching plastic worms along canal and bulrush edges. Offshore bass fishing is productive for anglers who fish around coontail and eelgrass beds with plastic worms, rattling crankbaits and jerkbaits. Fishing wild shiners is also an effective technique.
There are two public boat ramps within county parks. Anderson Park boat ramp is on the west shore off U.S. 19. Chestnut Park boat ramp is on the east side of the lake off C.R. 611. Some bank access is available in both parks. Boardwalks and piers serve as excellent fishing locations.
Low Bush is unusual for Florida in that it is deep and has a variety of underwater structures. This is a real contrast to most vegetated natural lakes in Florida. The food chain consists of abundant shad, which leads to excellent bass growth rates. Until 1997, the lake was privately owned and the present catch-and-release regulation provides anglers with higher than average catches of bass. Anglers routinely catch 2- to-5-pound bass and some 10-pound fish.
Plastic worms are best. A good technique here is to cast close to structure and parallel to the bank. This technique also works well with spinner baits after March, when the water begins to warm slightly.
The lake has no facilities other than a boat ramp. A bait and tackle store is near White Springs. For maps of the area contact the FWC regional office in Lake City at (904) 758-0525.
The best area to fish is in the north and central portion of the lake with live golden shiners. Anglers typically find success drift fishing in open water areas (six to eight feet of water) while free-lining shiners or using light weights. Small topwater lures or plastic worms are effective in late spring and early summer. There is a 15- to 19-inch slot limit for bass on the lake (bass between 15 and 19 inches must be released).
Only one fish camp is on Lake Jackson: however, many hotels are nearby. There are six public boat ramps surrounding the lake. Bank fishing is minimal.
Most anglers use plastic worms, rattling crankbaits, jerkbaits and topwater plugs in isolated hydrilla beds or near the edges of topped-out hydrilla. Anglers drifting wild shiners in these areas are often successful.
There are two public boat ramps. One is on Boat Landing Road in the southwest corner of the lake, and another on the west shore on Lake Walk-in-Water Road. There is little access for bank fishing.
Eleven lakes, totaling 758 acres, are open to public fishing. Lakes range from 20 to 250 acres, and most are catch-and-release for bass. Each lake has specific regulations and angler quotas designed to produce a quality fishing experience.
Despite heavy fishing pressure, Tenoroc anglers can experience high catch rates, often catching one bass for every two hours fished, with some days much better. Bass are bigger than the statewide average, and the chance to land a trophy fish is excellent.
The 17-acre Derby Lake has ADA-accessible facilities and is reserved for physically-challenged anglers. The lake is intensively managed for a high density bass population available only to disabled anglers.
Tenoroc is open Thursday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is $3 per person. For more information or to make a reservation to fish this area call (941) 499-2421.
The best fishing usually begins in late spring as water levels begin to drop and bass in the vast marshes are concentrated in nearby canals. Plastic worms, minnow imitations and topwater poppers fished along canal edges are effective. Flipping directly into vegetation edges is also popular.
There is a no-consumption advisory on bass due to high levels of mercury in this area. Because of this, anglers routinely release their fish, which has resulted in high populations of 2- to 5-pound bass.
The L-67A and L-35B are two of the most popular canals in the area. The L-67A Canal has access at the north end at Holiday Park, off U.S. 27, where camping is available, and at the south end at the S-333 water control structure off Tamiami Trail (S.R. 41). The L-35B Canal access is at Sawgrass Recreation Area which, like Holiday Park, is just off U.S. 27. Boat ramps are at all three sites.
Successful anglers target deep-water peppergrass, hydrilla and grass edges during warmer months. Flipping plastic baits into heavy cover and slow-trolling shiners along hydrilla edges are productive techniques for catching big bass.
Six fish camps, one state park, and three public boat ramps are available at Kissimmee. Non-boaters can wade fish from access points at some of the fish camps and boat ramps.
West Lake Tohopekaliga, an 18,810-acre shallow lake just south of the city of Kissimmee, can provide excellent bass fishing for the knowledgeable angler. Anglers can fish either Lake Kissimmee or Lake Tohopekaliga by passing through the locks between the lakes.
Lake Tohopekaliga was the site of the first 1998 Forrest L. Wood (F.L.W.) bass tournament event. The winning weights ranged between 17 and 20 pounds daily with at least two bass in the 9-pound range.
Medium-size or large wild shiners are effective baits for big bass. Anglers should also try using carolina-rigged plastic worms, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. These baits should be worked slowly in the spring.
Popular fishing spots in Tohopekaliga are the mouth of Shingle Creek, St. Cloud Canal, North Steer Beach and Lanier Point.
Two fish camps, one marina, one county park and four public boat ramps are available around Lake Tohopekaliga. Two fishing piers, a boat basin, and numerous other access points are readily available for bank fishermen along the north end of the lake.
Approximately, one-half of the lake is covered with hydrilla. Anglers should do well fishing in the south end of Farm 13. Plastic worms, spinner baits, crank baits and topwater prop baits will produce good results depending on weather conditions, water levels and the habitat fished. Golden shiners are the top choice for anglers looking to catch a trophy fish here.
The current regulation on the reservoir is a daily bag limit of one bass, and it must be over 24 inches long. There is one boat ramp, parking lot and rest rooms. No gasoline or food is available on site.
Lake George is one of the many natural lakes on the St. Johns River. It has extensive vegetation that provides excellent habitat for bass. Wade fishing in eelgrass with plastic worms fished on the surface, and other topwater artificials is productive. Fishing with shiners is an excellent method for trophy bass during spring spawning season.
Hot spots on the lake include Juniper, Salt and Silver Glen spring runs on the eastern shoreline. In the early spring, look for bass to congregate at the jetties on the south end of the lake. To the north, anglers do well casting deep diving crankbaits near old dock structures along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island.
Anglers can get to the lake through numerous fish camps and landings on the lake and the St. Johns River. There is no pier or bank fishing access on Lake George.
If you want to catch big bass, the Big O is the place to go.
Anglers routinely catch 7- to 10-pound bass, and 10- to 12-pound bass occasionally show up too. The lake record is 15 pounds, 5 ounces.
Anglers do well fishing in bulrush near Eagle Bay Island, Little Grassy Island and King's Bar at the north end of the lake. At the south end, anglers are effective fishing in eelgrass in the South Bay area. The largest bass are caught using live golden shiners and casting into, or along edges of, vegetation. Plastic worms and spinner baits are often productive. Casting lures near vegetation often produces the largest numbers of bass.
Lake Okeechobee has a 13- to 18-inch slot limit on bass, meaning all bass between 13 and 18 inches must be released unharmed.
Sixteen boat ramps and numerous fish camps surround the lake. For more information contact the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce at (941) 983-7979 or the Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce at (941) 763-6464.