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Largemouth bass are found in almost
every freshwater body of water in Florida. With more than 7,500 lakes
available, anglers sometimes face a tough decision about where to fish.
The following list of Top 10 Bass Lakes aims to help anglers find a
quality place to catch trophy bass. For more information on Florida’s
freshwater fishing opportunities and fishing forecasts visit the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC’s) Web site at
Fishing Sites/Forecasts and for basic fishing tips click here.
(NOTE: The links to the lakes and rivers below will take you to their
current forecast).
These Florida lakes (in no specific order) have been selected by
FWC fisheries biologists as top bass fishing destinations for 2003.
Lake George is one of the premier bass fishing lakes in central
Florida. It is the second largest lake in the state (46,000 acres), and is
18 miles northwest of Deland and 29 miles east of Ocala.
Lake George is one of the many natural lakes on the St. John’s 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 artificial lures are productive. Fishing with shiners is an
excellent method for catching trophy bass during the spring spawning
season.
Hot spots on the lake include Juniper, Salt and Silver Glen spring runs on
the eastern shoreline. In winter and early spring, look for bass to
congregate at the jetties on the south end of the lake. Additionally,
casting deep diving crankbaits is productive near old dock structures
along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island.
There are many fish camps and landings on the lake and the St. John’s
River. There is one public boat ramp with limited parking on the south end
of the lake off Blue Creek Lodge Road. A fishing pier is on the east side
at the end of Nine Mile Point Road.
Due to low mercury levels in this lake, women who are pregnant or may
become pregnant, and nursing mothers should follow EPA guidelines and eat
no more than 8 ounces of bass in a week’s time. Children under age 10
should eat no more than 3 ounces of bass in a week’s time. All other are
not advised to limit consumption of Largemouth bass.
STICK MARSH/FARM 13 RESERVOIR
 Created in 1987, the Stick Marsh/Farm 13 Reservoir is synonymous with
trophy bass fishing. This 6,500-acre reservoir near Fellsmere, west of
Vero Beach, became one of the hottest bass lakes in the country during the
past decade. FWC biologists predict a continuation of excellent bass
fishing in the upcoming years. Electrofishing samples in the 2001 and 2002
indicated good reproduction and growth of bass in the reservoir. The
winter/spring 2001 angler survey produced the highest total angler effort
on record for largemouth bass since 1994. Anglers caught 65,943 largemouth
of which 88% were reported greater than 14 inches in total length. An
estimated 451 trophy bass (8lbs/24”) were caught and released during the
four-month angler survey.
Anglers can locate bass throughout the reservoir among a variety of
habitats including woody stump fields, submerged canals and hydrilla.
Plastic worms, spinner baits, crank baits, soft-jerked baits, and topwater
propeller baits are effective. Wild golden shiners are the top choice for
anglers looking to catch a trophy fish.
Due to low mercury levels in this lake, women who are pregnant or may
become pregnant, and nursing mothers should follow EPA guidelines and eat
no more than 8 ounces of bass in a week’s time. Children under age 10
should eat no more than 3 ounces of bass in a week’s time. All other are
not advised to limit consumption of Largemouth bass. NOTE:
Since this lake is catch-and-release only the consumption advisory should
have no impact on anglers.
The regulation for largemouth bass is catch and release. There is
a two-lane boat
ramp, paved parking lot, picnic pavilions and rest rooms. No
gasoline, food, ice or other facilities are available on site.
This area is part of the St. Johns Blue Cypress Management Unit, see
here for a recreational map of that unit.
Bordering the city of Kissimmee to the south, the 18,810-acre West Lake
Tohopekaliga has long been a popular bass fishing lake for both
recreational and tournament anglers. In recent years, both Bass Anglers
Sportsmen Society (B.A.S.S.) and Forrest L. Wood (FLW) bass tournaments
have been held out of the Kissimmee
lakefront park. Winning weights are routinely in the 18-to 25- pound
range. To date, the largest bass documented from the lake weighed 17.10
pounds.
Flipping plastic worms, crayfish and lizards in shoreline vegetation is a
common technique among successful anglers. Casting Carolina- or
Texas-rigged plastic worms, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits or top-water propeller
baits in these areas are also popular methods. Anglers fishing live golden
shiners account for some of the larger bass caught from the lake.
In Spring 2002, the FWC started conducting a lake drawdown to help remove
bottom sediments and stimulate native vegetation. However, unusually high
rains have postponed the drawdown. See
news release for details.
Due to elevated levels of mercury in this lake consumption of Largemouth
bass should be limited by women of childbearing age and children under age
10 should not eat more than 8 ounces of bass over a 4-week period. All
others should limit consumption of bass from these areas to no more than 8
ounces a week.
For more information about the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes visit
www.floridakiss.com.
Rodman Reservoir, east of Gainesville and south of Palatka, covers
9,500 acres of prime largemouth bass habitat. Since its creation in 1968,
Rodman Reservoir has been known for trophy largemouth bass. The state’s
largest bass of 2000, 15 pounds and 17 pounds, came from the reservoir
during March. Much of the largemouth bass fishery’s success is due to
abundant habitat in the form of stumps and aquatic vegetation and periodic
drawdowns. Strong year classes of largemouth bass are produced following
drawdowns, which allow a higher percentage of fish to reach trophy sizes.
Largemouth bass are most active during the cooler months. Anglers
targeting trophy largemouth bass use golden shiners, either floated under
a cork or free-lined. Most big bass are caught in the pool area, known as
the “stump fields,” along the river channel. However, many trophy bass
come from the area between Cypress Bayou and Kenwood Landing, including
Orange Springs. Successful anglers use artificial baits, such as
deep-diving and lipless crank baits, spinner baits and soft plastics.
Access to Rodman is available to several locations. Among the most popular
are Eureka east and west off C.R. 316, Rodman Recreational Area west of
S.R.19 and Orange Springs Recreational Area, Cypress Bayou (Paynes
Landing) and Kenwood Landing off S. R.315.
Due to low mercury levels in this lake, women who are pregnant or may
become pregnant, and nursing mothers should follow EPA guidelines and eat
no more than 8 ounces of bass in a week’s time. Children under age 10
should eat no more than 3 ounces of bass in a week’s time. All other are
not advised to limit consumption of Largemouth bass.
Lake Tarpon is a 2,500-acre lake near Tampa/St. Petersburg in Pinellas
County. This lake has consistently produced high quality bass for years.
Most fish range from 12 to 16 inches long however, quality and trophy fish
are also present in good numbers. Biologists have observed anglers
catching upwards of 20 fish with an occasional 10-pounder.
Anglers are most successful flipping or pitching plastic worms along canal
and bulrush edges. Offshore bass fishing is productive for anglers who
fish around ledges, humps, coontail, and eelgrass beds. Popular lures
offshore include shad-imitating jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and topwater
baits. Fishing wild shiners and live shad is also effective.
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.
Due to elevated levels of mercury in this lake consumption of Largemouth
bass should be limited by women of childbearing age and children under age
10 should not eat more than 8 ounces of bass over a 4-week period. All
others should limit consumption of bass from these areas to no more than 8
ounces a week.
Lake Weohyakapka, commonly known as Lake Walk –in-Water, is a
7,532-acre lake, off S.R. 60 south of Orlando, east of Lake Wales. The
lake has a national reputation as an outstanding spot to catch largemouth
bass. Anglers frequently catch up to 25 bass a day with several ranging
from four to eight pounds. Weohyakapka also produces many trophy bass
exceeding 10 pounds each year. Last year, Walk-in-Water anglers entered
130 bass with a qualifying weight of eight pounds in the FWC’s Big Catch
Program. A 15- to 24-inch slot limit regulation with a three-bass daily
bag limit is in place to help maintain quality bass fishing. Anglers may
keep three bass per day, either under or over the protected slot range, of
which only one bass greater than or equal to 24 inches is allowed.
The best technique to catch trophy bass is to drift live wild shiners over
hydrilla beds in the northern half of the lake. Hydrilla can pop up
anywhere in the lake, so time spent looking for smaller, lesser known
pockets may be rewarding. Jerkbaits, lipless rattling crankbaits, and
plastic worms also produce bass in the offshore hydrilla. Topwater lures
are productive, particularly chuggers or walk-the-dog type baits. Although
topwater baits catch fish throughout the year, summer months offer the
best action when schools of bass roam deep-water areas. Flipping soft
plastic baits in the bulrush and behind cattails in the northern and
eastern areas of the lake also works well January through March. This
technique is effective for smaller bass, but the larger females spend the
majority of the year in offshore hydrilla.
A public ramp is located on Boat Landing Road, which runs east off of
Walk-in-the-Water Road. There is little access for bank fishing.
Due to elevated levels of mercury in this lake consumption of Largemouth
bass should be limited by women of childbearing age and children under age
10 should not eat more than 8 ounces of bass over a 4-week period. All
others should limit consumption of bass from these areas to no more than 8
ounces a week.
Bass anglers who fish the Kissimmee Chain of lakes to the north and
Lake Okeechobee to the south often overlook 28,000-acre Lake Istokpoga.
Situated in Highlands County between U.S. 27 and U.S. 98 south of Sebring,
Istokpoga is the fifth largest natural lake in Florida. Anglers frequently
catch bass up to eight pounds, with some between 10 and 13 pounds. An
angler caught a 16-pound bass in March 1998.
Bass fishing is excellent throughout the year. From January through April,
bass spawn in bulrush and other vegetation along shallow-water areas
enhanced during the 2001 drawdown and around the lake’s two islands (Big
Island and Bumblebee Island). Flipping soft plastics in bulrush patches
and in pockets of submerged vegetation can be productive during the
winter. In spring and summer, topwater lures and jerkbaits worked over the
top of hydrilla and pondweed in the south half of the lake are often
successful. Weedless spoons tipped with grub tails and spinnerbaits fished
over pondweed south of Bumblebee Island are deadly on bass during early
morning. Rattling lures (silver, gold, and “Tennessee Shad” are excellent
colors) also can be effective during summer and fall as baitfish school in
open water areas along the north end of the lake. A live shiner fished a
few feet under a popping cork is the most reliable bait for catching
trophy bass.
Lake Istokpoga has a 15- to 24-inch slot limit for bass with a three fish
daily bag limit, of which only one bass may be 24 inches or longer. All
residents between 16 and 65 years of age and all non-residents are
required to have a fishing license.
Due to elevated levels of mercury in this lake consumption of Largemouth
bass should be limited by women of childbearing age and children under age
10 should not eat more than 8 ounces of bass over a 4-week period. All
others should limit consumption of bass from these areas to no more than 8
ounces a week.
Several fish camps and four public boat ramps provide access to the
lake. For more information about lodging and other amenities around Lake
Istokpoga, contact the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce at (863)
385-8448.
Everglades Water Conservation Areas are marshlands bordered by canals.
Areas 2 has 210 square miles of marsh, and Area 3 contains 730 square
miles of marsh., and Area 3 contains 30 square miles of marsh. Originally
designed for flood control and water supply, the area provides some of the
best bass fishing in the country.
The best fishing usually occurs in the spring when dropping water levels
concentrate fish in the canals. April is the peak month with angler catch
rates as high a 4.1 bass per hour in the L-67A Canal.
Most anglers fish in the canals. Anglers work edges with plastic worms and
minnow imitations. Flipping into the vegetation is also a popular
technique. During high water, anglers will often enter the marsh areas
where bass can be found in the open slough areas. The L-67A Canal has
trails off of it specifically cut to provide boats access to marsh areas.
The L-67A and L-35B are two popular canals in the area for fishing. The
L-67A Canal has access at the north end at Holiday Park, off U.S. 27,
where camping and boat rentals are available.
At the south end, it can be accessed at the S-333 water control structure
off Tamiami Trail (S.R. 41). The L-35B Canal access is at Sawgrass
Recreation Area, off of U.S. 27 and has boat rentals. Boat ramps are
available at all three sites.
Mercury health advisories follow current length limits established for
largemouth bass caught in the water conservation areas with
recommendations made based on bass length. For Largemouth bass less than
14 inches women of childbearing age and children under age 10 should not
eat more than 8 ounces of bass over a 4-week period. Others should limit
consumption of bass from these areas to no more than 8 ounces a week. No
one should consume Largemouth bass greater than 14 inches in length.
Lake Okeechobee is consistently one of Florida’s top producing bass
lakes and is one of the best lakes in the country for bass fishing.
Situated in south central Florida, the “Big O” covers 730 square miles and
is easily accessible from Florida’s east and west coast. FWC biologists
are expecting a tremendous year class for this lake this year.
The lake increased to 16 feet, early in 2003, due to above average
rainfall in the upper lakes. Due to the drought in 2001, the lake
has experienced positive changes in vegetation.
Anglers are routinely catching “Big Bass” weighing 10 to 12 pounds. The
lake record is 15 pounds, 5 ounces. Lake Okeechobee is currently averaging
500 tournaments a year. 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.
Due to low mercury levels in this lake, women who are pregnant or may
become pregnant, and nursing mothers should follow EPA guidelines and eat
no more than 8 ounces of bass in a week’s time. Children under age 10
should eat no more than 3 ounces of bass in a week’s time. All other are
not advised to limit consumption of Largemouth bass.
This 15,725 acre lake borders the east side of Crescent City on the
Putnam/Flagler county line. Crescent Lake flows into the St. Johns River
via Dunns Creek on its north end. Past electrofishing samples for
largemouth bass revealed one of the highest catch-per-unit-efforts
recorded for areas on the St. John’s River. Largemouth bass up to twenty
inches long were well represented in the sample and good numbers of larger
fish (8 lb +) were collected.
Fall/early winter fishing tends to be best near deep water structures such
as dock pilings. Good artificial baits include plastic worms, spinner
baits and crank baits. Live golden shiners are always a popular bait.
Several fish camps provide access to the lake on the western and southern
shorelines. A public boat ramp is located near downtown Crescent City one
block east of U. S. Highway 17 and another is located on the northeast
shore off State Road 20/100. Bank access is limited to these facilities.
Due to elevated levels of mercury in this lake consumption of Largemouth
bass should be limited by women of childbearing age and children under age
10 should not eat more than 8 ounces of bass over a 4-week period. All
others should limit consumption of bass from these areas to no more than 8
ounces a week.
NOTE: For more information about these lakes, contact the
following FWC biologists:
Lake George and Crescent Lake –
Joe Jenkins (386) 985-7880
Lakes Weohyakapka and Tarpon –
Tim Coughlin (863) 648-3202
Farm 13/Stick Marsh Reservoir –
Bob Eisenhauer (407) 752-3115
Rodman Reservoir –
Eric Nagid (352) 392-9617
Lake Istokpoga –
Beacham Furse (863) 462-5190
West Lake Tohopekaliga –
Marty Mann (407) 846-5300
Everglades Water Conservation Areas 2 and 3 –
Jon Fury (561) 625-5122
Lake Okeechobee –
Dan McCall (863) 462-5190
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