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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 12 Bass Fishing Areas aims to
help anglers find a quality place to catch either good numbers of bass or
to catch a 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).
FWC fisheries biologists selected these Florida
lakes and rivers (in no specific order) as top black bass fishing
destinations for 2004.
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
top water artificial lures, is productive. Fishing with live 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 western 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 crank baits is productive near old dock structures
along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island.
There are many fish camps on the St. Johns River just north and south of
Lake George; however, the only one located on the lake itself is the Pine
Island Fish Camp. There is one public boat ramp with limited parking on
the south end of the lake off Blue Creek Lodge Road, located north of S.R.
highway 40. A fishing pier is also located along the east side of the lake
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 others 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 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. During this period, anglers caught 65,943
largemouth of which 451 trophy bass (8 lbs or larger) were caught and
released.
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 jerkbaits, 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 others 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 is the
18,810-acre West Lake Tohopekaliga.
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 is also popular. Anglers fishing live golden shiners
account for some of the largest bass caught from the lake.
A planned lake draw down was underway on Lake Toho during 2004. Fishing
should be outstanding due to the effect of concentrating fish into a
smaller-sized lake. The lake was scheduled to reach the extreme low pool
lake level (49 feet NGVD) by February 15, 2004. The lake will remain at
this elevation until June 1, 2004 when refill begins. Lake Toho should be
back to normal low pool (52 feet NGVD) by September 1, 2004 with average
rainfall. From January 5, 2004 through September 1, 2004, there will be a
catch-and-release (no harvest) regulation in effect for largemouth bass on
Lake Toho.
During the lake drawdown, boat access will be limited to the following:
Southport Park (south on 17-92, 10 miles south on Pleasant Hill Rd, left
on Southport Rd for 6 miles) 2001 E. Southport Road, Kissimmee FL 34746
(407) 933-5822.
Richardson’s Fish Camp (CR 525 Neptune Rd) to Kings Hwy, right onto Pine
Island, then right onto Scotty’s Rd) 1550 Scotty’s Road, Kissimmee FL
34744 (407) 846-6540.
Lake Toho Resort or Big D’s Bait To Go (192 East to St. Cloud, right on
Kissimmee Park Road, go to the end on left) 4715 Kissimmee Park Road,
Saint Cloud, FL 34772 (407) 892-8795.
All of these access points are on Lake Tohopekaliga, and from that point
you can boat all the way to the Gulf of Mexico and even further south to
the Atlantic Ocean!
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 cooler months. Anglers targeting
trophy largemouth bass use live 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 at several locations. Among the most popular
is 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 others 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, including 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 with 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 water
body, south off S.R. 60, south of Orlando and 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 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 weed 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 areas of 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 beds.
A public ramp is located on Boat Landing Road, which runs east off of
Walk-in-the-Water Road; just a few miles south of S.R. highway 60. There
is little access for bank fishing on the lake.
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
with an average depth of only six feet. Anglers frequently catch bass up
to eight pounds with many over 10 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. April and October are
the best months for anglers looking for cooler weather and lots of bass. 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 protective (or no-harvest) 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 to no more than 8 ounces of bass over a 4-week period. All others
should limit consumption of bass 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.
DEER
POINT LAKE
This 5,000-acre impoundment is located 7 miles north of Panama City off US
231 and SR 77 at Southport. Deer Point Lake is fed by natural freshwater
streams and supplies more than 760 million gallons of fresh water daily to
Panama City and the surrounding areas. The lake can be accessed by taking
US 231 north to Panama City (6 miles) to C2321 west (1.5 miles) and turn
right on C2311 for (3.5 miles): the ramp is on the left. There are two
fish camps located on the Lake:
Cherokee Landing (on County Road 2301 at the bridge crossing) 10035 County
Road
Youngstown, FL 32466 (850) 722-4902
Tharp’s Camp (off Resota Beach Road) 4405 Huckleberry Lane
Panama City, FL 32409 (850) 265-2330
Although largemouth bass fishing typically slows down during the winter
months, it picks up again in mid-February and March becoming red hot in
April and May. Beginning January 2, 2004 and continuing to February 14,
2004, a brief (45 day) drawdown of the lake will move largemouth bass out
from shoreline habitats, aggregating them into deeper water. This is an
excellent time for some wintertime largemouth bass action! Catches of
twenty bass during a morning fishing trip can be common during the
drawdown. During that time period in 2004, approximately 1000 largemouth
bass will be tagged by FWC fisheries biologists for a population and
movement study.
One thousand largemouth bass weighing up to 11.7 pounds were collected and
tagged in Deer Point Lake in February 2003, and the largest reported
trophy largemouth bass caught by an angler in 2003 weighed 12.2 pounds! If
you catch a tagged bass in Deer Point Lake this spring, you are urged to
contact the FWC Regional Office on Deer Point Lake by calling the
telephone number on the tag (850) 265-3676. Also, if you catch a tagged
bass and wish to release the fish, please clip the tag as close to the
fish’s skin as possible. Do not attempt to pull the tag out. Remember to
please clip, keep and return the tag! Prizes will be awarded for all
returned tags.
Anglers unfamiliar with Deer Point Lake should try fishing for largemouth
bass in the old creek channels of Bear, Cedar, and Econfina creeks with
plastic worms, diving crank-baits or rattletraps. Bayou George and the
flats area at the confluence of Bayou George and Deer Point Lake are also
popular largemouth spots. Also, try targeting docks and boathouses along
the creek channels and at the mouth of Bayou George. Anglers should
exercise extreme caution during boat operation due to the tremendous
amount of flooded cypress stumps and snags found in the lake.
SUWANEE RIVER
The Suwannee River is a pristine, black water stream flowing 213 miles in
Florida from the swamp-like region at the Georgia border to salt-marsh
tidal creeks at the Gulf of Mexico. In between are rocky bluffs and shoal
areas in the upper reaches and floodplain cypress tree-hardwood swamp
borders, lined with water lilies, in the middle sections. The Santa Fe
River is a significant tributary and has abundant spring flow influence,
making water clearer, yet more productive for submerged vegetation and
fish food organisms.
Although the Suwannee River is not known for trophy largemouth bass, good
catch rates can be expected, and quality-sized bass are frequently caught
be anglers. Suwannee bass also occur throughout much of the river system,
and fish large enough to qualify for Big Catch Suwannee bass can be caught
by anglers in the Santa Fe.
Crawfish are the main food item for bass in the whole river system, so
anglers should fish accordingly. Plastic worms, lizards, and crawfish;
jigs with orange skirts and pork rinds; and metallic crankbaits are all
standard lures that catch fish in the river. While the scenery may change
every 20 or 30 miles, the key to catching bass is the same. Deep structure
or shallow structure with deep water near-by is what anglers should always
look for. Suwannee bass, more common in Santa Fe River, prefer current
where water moves around cypress trees or in mid-river at low water
levels. Changing depths will change location of current structure.
The lower Suwannee River moves more slowly and bass utilize shoreline
cover of fallen trees and cypress trees on outer bends. Plastic baits,
rigged weedless, can catch bass in the pads of inside shallow banks. Live
shiners can be fished into brush piles from upstream by letting them float
downstream. Small bass will hit a fly or a small floater-diver fished
along the bank in the Suwannee.
The estuary is also productive. In the fall when shrimp are in the river,
fishing can be outstanding. Tidal creeks are a unique fishing experience.
Boat ramps are located along the entire river but fish camps are few and
far between.
The Everglades Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) are
marshlands intersected with over 250 miles of canals. WCA-2 has 210 square
miles of marsh, and WCA-3 covers approximately 915 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 rather than in the marsh. 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 that are specifically cut to
provide boats access to these 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.
A special bass fishing regulation is in affect in south Florida, including
the Everglades Conservation Areas, in which only one bass of the five bass
daily bag limit may be 14 inches or longer. This gives anglers the
opportunity to harvest smaller bass, but still provides protection from
overharvest of fish over 14 inches in total length.
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 also 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.
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. As a result, biologists
anticipate increased production of young fish in Lake Okeechobee.
Anglers routinely catch bass weighing 10 to 12 pounds. The lake record is
15 pounds, 5 ounces. Lake Okeechobee currently averages 500 bass fishing
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 others 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 rates recorded for
areas on the St. John’s River. Largemouth bass up to 20 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. Preferred 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. 17 and another is located on the northeast shore off
S.R. 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 –
Jay Holder (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 –
Don Fox (863) 462-5190
Deer Point Lake –
Chris
Paxton (850) 265-3676
Suwannee River –
Jerry Krummrich (850) 265-3676
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