 | ||||||||||||||||
  |
| |||||||||||||||
Southwest Region Fishing Forecast | ||||||||||||||||
The following is a general description and quarterly forecast (*bold updates) for fishing conditions in major public water bodies in this region. For even more up-to-date information, we suggest you call or visit a local bait-and-tackle shop, fishing marina or guide service. We have provided information for some local contacts, who indicated they were willing to be listed herein. Clicking the clock/thermometer above will take you to a very detailed weather site, where you can get forecasts, historic weather information, moon phase, tide charts and sunrise/sunset times. If you would like additional descriptions of these and other fishing sites listed by county, you can visit the Great Outdoors Recreation Page listing for Florida's South Region. Please note, however, that their site is not routinely updated to reflect current fishing conditions. A few sites have additional links to local web pages or to topographic maps and brochures. We will continue to expand these links as they become available to us.
Lake Istokpoga (Highlands County):Located five miles northeast of Lake Placid, Highlands County, this 27,692-acre lake has quality fishing for black crappie (specks) and one of the highest largemouth bass catch rates in the state. The best speck fishing occurs during winter months drifting over open water, particularly in the northeast and southwest corners. Predominant aquatic vegetation includes spadderdock (bonnets), bulrush (buggy whips), cattail, and pondweed (pepper grass). Kissimmee grass on the south end is particularly productive when there is flow into the Istokpoga Canal. This canal, located off County Highway 621, provides excellent largemouth bass fishing from the bank when the gates are open. Arbuckle and Josephine Creek mouths are also good areas when there is flow. The island areas and associated grass can hold bass any time of year and the deepest portion of the lake (10 ft) is in the southwest corner. Public boat ramps are located on the north, northeast, and southwest shorelines off of U.S. Route 98, Lake Boulevard off Cow House Road, and Highland Lake Drive off of County Route 621, respectively. There are also six fish camps/resorts on the lake with various accommodations. Anglers can wade fish off of the Cow House Road boat ramp. Special Regulations for Largemouth Bass on Lake Istokpoga. A slot limit protects quality largemouth bass by requiring that all bass between 15 and 24 inches in length must be immediately released back into the lake. The daily bag limit is three fish per day. Only one of the three fish may be greater than 24 inches. This means you may keep three bass less than 15 inches, or two bass less than 15 inches and one bass greater than 24 inches. For more information on the special regulations or tournament exemptions, contact Tom Champeau, Bill Pouder, or Jeff Willitzer at (863)648-3202. *Largemouth bass fishing should improve as the water temperature drops over the next few months. Use lipless rattling crankbaits and spinnerbaits in areas with moving water. Also try plastic worms and lizards in Junebug and red shad colors to fish offshore hydrilla beds when the bite slows down. Fishing with live wild shiners will be the best bet for larger bass during late fall and early winter. Black crappie (speck) fishing is slow now, but should really get going as the water temperature drops. Fish with live Missouri minnows under a cork, or troll with small spinners and jigs for some good speck action. The best area to target will be Henderson’s Cove, and the deeper cuts around the islands. Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing will begin to slow over the next month as spawning slows down, and many anglers begin to fish for specks. Note: Low water will be an issue through next year unless the area receives large amounts of rainfall in the next month or so. For more information contact Henderson's Fish Camp at 941/465-2101, or Cypress Isle RV Park & Marina at 863-465-5241. Webb Lake and Marl Ponds Fish Management Areas (Charlotte County):Webb Lake is a man-made 395-acre lake located on the Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area in Charlotte County nine miles south of Punta Gorda, and one mile east of I-75. Marl Ponds 1, 2, and 3 are located on either side of Tuckers Grade Road, and are approximately 2 acres each, with excellent bank fishing opportunities. Fish feeders are present on the Marl Ponds and Webb Lake. Three boat ramps provide access to Webb Lake. A Daily Use Permit or Management Area Stamp is required to gain access to the Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area. *Largemouth bass fishing is fair in the ponds and lake. Use plastic worms in Junebug and black-and-blue colors, and spinnerbaits and crankbaits in bluegill-imitating colors for some quick action. Bass up to eight pounds have been reported from other lakes out in the management area. Bluegill (bream) can be caught near the feeders on crickets and red wigglers fished below a cork. Fishing is usually best early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Catfish are biting on nightcrawlers, hot dog pieces, and chicken liver in Marl Pond 1. Tilapia (Nile perch) can be caught on the lake by using small pieces of hot dog, and by using fish food pellets that can be purchased at your local feed store. Nile perch are becoming wary around the feeders, so you may need to fish without a cork, or try fly fishing for them. Snook can also occasionally be caught in Webb Lake and the Marl ponds, but remember to follow the general snook regulations for the west coast of Florida. Try using large topwater lures and jigs for the chance to catch a snook that will weigh up to 15 pounds in these freshwater systems. Note: The feeders have been returned to the boat ramp areas on Webb Lake. Note: Low water will be an issue through next year unless the area receives large amounts of rainfall in the next month or so. Edward Medard Reservoir (Hillsborough County):Formerly known as Pleasant Grove Reservoir, this 770-acre reclaimed phosphate mine within Edward Medard 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 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. Kissimmee grass, bulrush (buggy whips), and cattail are the predominant vegetation. Sunshine bass (striper hybrids) are stocked on a regular basis and channel catfish are very abundant. The many ledges and bars (flats) within the main body of the reservoir are productive for all species, but key in on the shoreline grass for largemouth bass in winter and spring. Due to the convoluted nature of the reservoir there is a no wake restriction (idle speed only) on boats for safety purposes. Special Regulations. A 15 to 24-inch slot limit with three fish daily bag limit protects quality bass. All bass between 15 and 24 inches in length must be immediately released. Bag limit is three fish per day, only one of which may be greater than 24 inches in length. *Catfish, primarily channel catfish, fishing is good year-round in this reservoir. Fish with chicken liver, nightcrawlers, frozen shrimp, cut-bait, and commercial stinkbaits on the bottom for best success, and even better eating once you get home. Largemouth bass are still holding off structure in deeper areas of the reservoir and can be caught by trolling crankbaits and spoons, or slow-rolling spinnerbaits over humps. Plastic worms in black-and-blue and pumpkinseed colors will also pull bass from the deeper water. Black crappie (specks) will be easier to find as the water temperature drops, and they begin to school and feed heavily before spawning in the spring. Drift live Missouri minnows under a cork, or troll with small spinners and Ha-Flies for best success. Specks can usually be found in water 10 to 14 feet deep during the fall, and around shoreline cover as spawning season approaches. Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing will begin to slow as the water temperature drops and fish disperse from shoreline spawning areas. Use crickets and grass shrimp for bream, and red wigglers for shellcracker fished below a cork near shoreline structure for best success. For more information contact Turkey Creek Bait and Tackle at 813/737-1566. Lake Parker (Polk County):Lake Parker is a 2,272-acre Fish Management Area in North Lakeland. A canal on the northwest shore connects to Lake Crago. Both offer good largemouth bass fishing, particularly during the winter and spring. The canal can be a real hot spot for large bass. Bluegill and catfish fishing is popular all year and don't be surprised to find a black crappie at the end of your line. During low water the canal can be tough to navigate. Kissimmee grass, bulrush, and cattail are the predominant vegetation. Maximum depth is 10 feet. There are three boat ramps on Lake Parker. A city ramp and park is located off Lake Parker Avenue on the west shore, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ramp off U.S. Route 92 on the south shore (Sertoma Park), and a county ramp on the east shore on Lake Parker Drive. Bank fishing areas can be found at both parks. *Fish for largemouth bass around hydrilla in open water, and around shoreline vegetation. Try flippin’ these areas with plastic worms in Junebug and red shad colors. Use live wild shiners to target bigger bass around patches of submerged hydrilla and shoreline bulrush stands. Bluegill (bream) action will begin to taper off as the water temperature falls over the next few months. Fish with crickets under a cork near shoreline vegetation where the bluegill congregate to spawn around the new and full moon each month during summer. Catfish fishing is good all year long. Use chicken liver, commercial stinkbaits, and frozen shrimp either on the bottom or below a cork. Black crappie (specks) fishing will steadily improve as the water temperature drops. Troll with small spinners or jigs and drift live Missouri minnows under a cork along the edges of hydrilla beds for the best action. Hybrid striped bass (sunshine bass) were stocked in the spring and should show up in catches as the water cools. Fish for sunshine bass with small crankbaits and live Missouri minnows the way you fish for specks, and you might be rewarded with a tough fight. For more information call Phillips Bait and Tackle at 863/666-2248. Peace River (Polk, Hardee, Desoto, Charlotte Counties):This scenic river runs south for over 100 miles from Lake Hancock, north of Bartow to Charlotte Harbor. Popular with canoeists, the Peace River offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass, bream, and catfish. Snook weighing over 30 pounds migrate from Charlotte Harbor and are caught year round as far north as Fort Meade. Bass, snook, and catfish prefer deep holes around tree snags where flow is strong. Tarpon are also caught in the lower Peace River. Commission maintained boat ramps are located near Fort Ogden at Deep Creek off CR 769 (Kings Highway) in Desoto County, and near Wauchula on CR 652 in Hardee County. Depending on water levels and other conditions, additional limited-access points are sometimes available. Locations follow: US 98 east of Ft. Meade; west of US 17 at Gardner; west of US 17 at Brownville; west of Arcadia off SR 70; and at Lettuce Lake south of CR 761. Bank fishing opportunities are available near Gardner. *Largemouth bass can be found in pools and around snags that offer current breaks. Spotted sunfish (stumpknockers) can be found around snags in the river, and can be caught on small popping flies or small jigs and spinners. Plenty of bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish (shellcracker) can be caught with red wigglers and crickets fished near snags. Catfish can be found around snags and in deeper holes, and can be caught using chicken liver, frozen shrimp, and commercial stinkbaits. Saltwater species, such as redfish, spotted sea trout, and tarpon, can be caught regularly in the lower river where it is tidally influenced. Use shrimp, jigs, crabs, and topwater lures near bridges and snags to catch most of these species. Snook can be found well upriver, with many being year-round residents as far north as Nocatee and Gardner. Use large crankbaits or shiners to try to entice them to bite, and then hang on! Saddle Creek Park (Polk County):Saddle Creek Park is a series of phosphate pits on 740 acres of mined phosphate land east of Lakeland off U.S. Route 92 in Polk County. The park provides convenient opportunities for family outings, picnics, boating, and fishing. An abundance of bank fishing makes this a unique Fish Management Area. Channel catfish are stocked regularly by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and largemouth bass are popular with Saddle Creek anglers. The special regulations on largemouth bass (15-24 inch protective slot limit, 3 fish bag limit) and catfish (6 fish bag limit) are needed to maintain desirable fish populations under intense fishing pressure. Fish feeders are operated and maintained near a number of bank fishing sites. Fishing for catfish and bluegill is often good in these areas. Willow is the major shoreline vegetation. There are a number of public boat ramps on Saddle Creek Park Road, which runs through the middle of the park. *Largemouth bass will be holding on the deep edges along points and the many islands. Plastic worms in Junebug and natural colors will produce bass when they are not chasing shad imitating baits like spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps. Live wild shiners will be the bait of choice when looking for lunkers. Free-lined or under a cork, they are a good bet for fast action. Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) can be caught on crickets and red wigglers, respectively. Fishing will slow as spawning ends and fish disperse. Catfish fishing has been good all year. Fish with chicken liver, commercial stinkbaits, dead shiners, and nightcrawlers on the bottom in 10 to 12 feet of water. Black crappie (specks) can be caught by drifting live Missouri minnows or trolling with Hal-Flies and small spinners. Fishing will improve as the water temperature cools in the fall. For more information contact Phillips Bait and Tackle at 941/666-2248. Lake Tarpon (Pinellas County):Lake Tarpon is a 2,534-acre Fish Management Area near Tarpon Springs, in Pinellas County. Although the largemouth bass population and size structure is excellent, fishing pressure is relatively low. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) fisheries biologists regularly sample bass during electrofishing surveys on this lake. In fact, Lake Tarpon is rated one of the Top 10 bass lakes in the state of Florida by FWC fisheries biologists. Primary largemouth bass fishing areas are found among the weeds which rim the shoreline. Bulrush (buggy whips), cattail, and tape grass beds are good places to try. Offshore humps, particularly with submerged vegetation, are productive and bass will school and chase shad in open water during the summer months. Public boat ramps are located at the county parks off U.S. Route 19 and County Road 611 (also known as East Lake Road). These parks are open sunrise to sunset and also offer fishing piers. *Largemouth bass fishing is good. Use spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps in shad imitating colors to find schooling bass in the 1 to 4 pound range over submerged grass beds. Use soft plastic baits in black-and-blue and redbug colors when the action slows. Live wild shiners will produce in and around submerged grass beds, and are a good bet to find bigger bass. Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish (shellcracker) are still being caught, but the action will slow as fall and winter approach. Use crickets for bluegill and red wigglers for shellcracker fished under a cork. Fish over shell bars and around shoreline vegetation for the best results. Black crappie (specks) fishing could be the best it has been in recent years. Use live Missouri minnows fished below a cork, and troll or drift small spinners and jigs in 8 to 12 feet of water for best results. Tenoroc (Polk County):Tenoroc Fish Management Area, located northeast of Lakeland, offers a unique fishing opportunity. Tenoroc is an old phosphate mine where 14 lakes ranging in size from seven to 227 acres provide quality public fishing. All anglers are required to register at the area headquarters where a daily use fee of $3 is charged. Access quotas control the number of anglers on all lakes and harvest restrictions on sportfish ensure angler satisfaction. Limitations on the use of boat motors also apply here. Special opportunities are available to children and physically challenged anglers; bank fishing access is provided on many lakes. This intensive management philosophy has created some of the best catch rates in the state for a variety of sportfishes. Two types of lakes offer different fishing challenges. Unreclaimed lakes have steep banks, brush-covered shorelines and generally greener water color. Reclaimed lakes have gently sloping shorelines vegetated with cattail, bulrush and other aquatic plants. Lakes vary in depth and offer shoreline opportunities, as well as open-water structure fishing. Roads and grounds are well maintained and modern boat ramps are provided on most lakes. Selected lakes also have restrooms and picnic pavilions. Tenoroc is nationally noted for largemouth bass and provides excellent fishing for panfish (bluegill and redear sunfish), black crappie and several varieties of catfish. Seasonal patterns are well established for these fishes and appropriate fishing techniques are updated quarterly in this report. Most bass anglers prefer to fish the reclaimed lakes, while panfish and crappie anglers target unreclaimed lakes. Nevertheless, all species can be caught in both, so anglers can choose the type of area they wish to fish. The site also has a shooting and training facility on the property. *Largemouth bass fishing is good, but will probably slow as water temperatures drop after the first cold fronts of the season. Use shad imitating baits and plastic worms and lizards in June-bug and red-shad colors. Bass fishing should improve by mid-November as the bass begin feeding heavily prior to the spring spawning season. Bluegill (bream) fishing has been good with many fish taken on live crickets and red wigglers fished below a cork near shoreline vegetation. Fishing should be good until water temperatures drop and fish move out from spawning areas. Black crappie (specks) fishing was excellent last year, and this year should be more of the same. Fish with live Missouri minnows below a cork, or troll with small jigs and spinners in open water. Tenoroc is now open later, so speck anglers can have a chance to fish the early evening feeding period, and increase their catch. Catfish fishing has been good, and should remain good until the first cold fronts of the season slow the bite. Use commercial stinkbaits, chicken livers, frozen shrimp, and nightcrawlers fished near the bottom for best results. Talk to the biologists at Tenoroc to find out which lakes are hot for bass, bream, shellcrackers, specks, and catfish. Up-to-date fishing reports for Tenoroc can be obtained by calling (863) 499-2422, Friday through Monday, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Walk-in-Water (Polk County):Also known as Lake Weohyakapka, this 7,528-acre anglers' favorite is located south of State Route 60, 10 miles east of Lake Wales off Walk-in-the-Water Road in Polk County. Predominant vegetation is cattail, bulrush (buggy whips), Kissimmee grass, and hydrilla. Tiger Creek flows in from the southwest and Weohyakapka Creek flows from the north end of the lake. Maximum depth is 12 feet. Nationally known for largemouth bass fishing, Lake Walk-in-Water provides both large numbers and trophy-sized fish. Drifting live shiners over offshore hydrilla is the most consistent technique, but many bass are caught on artificials as well, particularly topwater lures. There is a county boat ramp on the west shore at the end of Boat Landing Road. Special Regulations for Largemouth Bass on Lake Walk-in-Water. A slot limit protects quality largemouth bass by requiring that bass between 15 and 24 inches in length must be immediately released back into the lake. The daily bag limit is three fish per day. Only one of the three fish may be greater than 24 inches. This means you may keep three bass less than 15 inches, or two bass less than 15 inches and one bass greater than 24 inches. For more Bill Pouder, or Jeff Willitzer at (863)648-3202. *Largemouth bass fishing has been good, if you can find them. There is very little hydrilla in the main body of the lake. Most anglers are targeting shoreline structure such as bulrush patches and Kissimmee grass, but these areas are getting a lot of pressure. Try to find isolated patches of submerged vegetation, and you should find plenty of bass. Live wild shiners are still the bait of choice. Shad-imitating baits such as lipless rattling crankbaits and spinnerbaits work well on schooling bass in open water. Walk-in-Water is always a good place to use topwater lures, and they can be effective all day long. Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing is hot, with many fish bedding in and around the bulrush islands on the southern shoreline. Use crickets and grass shrimp for bluegill and red wigglers for shellcracker. Fish them under a cork for some good catches until the water temperature drops. Try fly fishing for bluegill, as they readily take small popping flies and other small flies. Black crappie (specks) fishing is slow with a few fish being caught on live Missouri minnows drifted over deeper holes in open water. Fishing for specks this year should be excellent as there is more open water to fish with the absence of hydrilla. For more information contact the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 863/648-3202. Winter Haven Chain of Lakes (Polk County):Located within the city of Winter Haven, nine lakes compose this 6000-acre chain where fishing and boating are extremely popular. Boat and shore access to the South Chain are available at lakes Summit, Shipp, Howard, Cannon, and Hartridge. The North Chain can be accessed through lakes Conine, Rochelle, and Haines. Fish attractors are located and marked in lakes Summit, Winterset, Cannon, Smart, and Haines. Bass anglers achieve success by "flipping" plastic worms around shoreline plants such as cattail and maidencane, as well as docks. *Look for schooling largemouth bass over eelgrass patches, and fish them with shad-imitating lures. Soft plastic lures in Junebug and red shad colors will produce bass around shoreline vegetation. Fish with live wild shiners for the best chance at some big bass over submerged vegetation. Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing will begin to slow as spawning congregations disperse. Use crickets and red wigglers fished under a cork for bluegill and shellcracker, respectively. Black crappie (specks) fishing should improve as the water temperatures cool in the fall. Catfish can be found in the deeper holes in the lakes. Use chicken liver, commercial stinkbaits, and frozen shrimp on the bottom or under a cork. |
Our mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
|
|
