July-September 2008 Get Ocala Weather, or Pick Another City

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 Northeast Region. Please note, however, that their site is not routinely updated to reflect current fishing conditions.

Check out the Northeast Region fishing guide (PDF, 1.2 mb) for places to fish, tips, accommodations and more.

See also the  FISH ORLANDO!  Quarterly Forecasts for the lakes in the Orlando Area.

MIAMI LAKES-ANSIN GARCIA (Indian River County):

The Lake Garcia Reservoir is a 3,149-acre section of the Blue Cypress Water Management Area (BCWMA) along the east coast of central Florida in north Indian River County. Water depths range from 1.5 to 6 feet on this impoundment, fluctuating seasonally. Boaters unfamiliar with the BCWMA are advised to operate their crafts cautiously, due to the number of navigational hazards found throughout the area. Facilities include a double lane concrete boat ramp, air boat launch site, paved parking lot, picnic pavilion and restroom. This impoundment is noted for good numbers of smaller largemouth bass, but does produce its share of trophy bass each year. Largemouth, bluegill and black crappie are the sportfish most often targeted by anglers.

This water management area should produce good largemouth bass action for those anglers who like to fish a variety of habitats like cattails, hydrilla, eelgrass, emergent grass, and water lilies. Anglers can begin by fishing along the submerged drainage ditches/canals, the deeper northwestern section of the reservoir and the area around the submerged borrow pit. In shallow areas, typical techniques will work, including spinnerbaits, plastic worms, and topwater lures. Local anglers say that the early morning bite on topwaters can be excellent this time of year. Hydrilla is prevalent in much of the open area of the northwest end of the reservoir, fluctuating radically depending on water level and season. One result of this vegetative growth has been excellent water clarity.

Black crappie anglers should focus their efforts on deep jigging or drifting live minnows in the deeper water within the borrow pit and the outflow canal at the northwest corner of the lake. Bluegill and redear sunfish should be found along the sandy bottom areas around submerged levees, along the perimeter of the borrow pit, the vegetated edges of canals, and the submerged vegetation in open water. Crickets, worms, or grass shrimp work best when targeting these two species, but don’t neglect your fly rod if you have one. This shallow, vegetated lake has strong hatches of non-biting midges and other insects.


A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the St. Johns Water Management District here. Ansin/Garcia is the area marked Blue Cypress WMA, just southeast of the lake.

For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions call Middleton’s Stick Marsh Bait and Tackle at (772) 571-9855 and Palm Bay Fishing Outfitters at (321) 952-4435.

LAKE BLUE CYPRESS (Indian River County): Blue Cypress is a 6,555-acre lake located in Indian River County. It is a scenic body of water with a shoreline structure composed of cypress and spatterdock. Several fish attractors have been constructed in open-water areas and are marked with buoys. Lake Blue Cypress has a good population of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, and catfish.

For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions, call Middleton’s Fish Camp at: (772) 778-0150.

Bass anglers can expect largemouths to be in a typical hot weather pattern. As water temperatures continue to rise, many fish will move offshore into deeper water, especially in the middle of the day, or hold tight to cover in the Big M and Zigzag Canals. Many of these same fish will move into the shallow (1-2 foot) vegetated areas (lilies, grasses, and cypress trees) during low light periods from early evening to mid-morning. Bass anglers may want to focus their attention on the grass patches in the southeastern part of the lake. Dark colored plastic worms, topwater poppers/prop baits, spinnerbaits, and live bait (golden shiners) are the most likely to produce strikes.

Bluegill and redear sunfish should be found along grass lines in 1-3 feet of water and also in and around open-water fish attractors throughout the quarter. Big M Canal and Zigzag Canal should also hold good numbers of panfish. Fly rod popping bugs, small jigs, beetle spins, and live bait (crickets, grass shrimp or worms) are productive techniques. Black crappie will continue to be caught by anglers trolling and drifting the deeper areas of the lake using small jigs, beetle spins, and live minnows. The deeper water along the grass/brush lines in Big M and Zigzag Canals should harbor these fish, too.

Anglers should be aware that they can no longer access Kenansville Lake through the Big M Canal from Blue Cypress Lake.  For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions call Middleton’s Fish Camp at: (561) 778-0150.

CLERMONT CHAIN (Lake County):  This 11-lake chain is located in Lake County’s rolling hills near the town of Clermont. There are two public boat ramps and one is on Lake Minneola (fee charged) north of SR 50 in Clermont. The other is a FWC ramp just north of Lake Louisa on Hull Road. Water levels are normal this year, so access should not be a problem at either ramp. For those preferring to fish from shore, there is a fishing pier on Lake Minneola. Most of the chain has tea-colored water, but Lake Minneola (1,888 acres) is relatively clear. All lakes on the Clermont Chain are Fish Management Areas, so a fishing license is required for most anglers.

Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) are biting on worms and crickets around shoreline vegetation and cypress trees. Both species will continue to spawn in these areas throughout the summer during the new and full moon phases, and fishing success peaks during these periods. Channel catfish action is good on live, dead or prepared baits in deep offshore areas of lakes Minneola, Minnehaha, and Louisa. Largemouth bass can be caught casting or trolling crankbaits in offshore areas or on plastic worms early and late in the day along grassline edges.

LAKE CRESCENT (Flagler & Putnam Counties): This 15,960-acre lake is a tributary of the St. Johns River. Public access to Crescent Lake can be obtained on the west shore off of Highway 17 in Crescent City. Private access can be obtained from Lake Crescent Resort (386-698-2485). For additional listings of fish camps or more information, please call our fisheries office in DeLeon Springs at 386-985-7827.

Fishing for bluegill and shellcracker is popular during late spring/early summer as the fish congregate during their spawn. During this quarter, bream fishing should be winding down as their spawning season comes to a close. Largemouth bass anglers should fish early morning and late evening to avoid the heat. Deeper docks and pilings should be targeted. Live shiners and artificial baits should both be effective.

FARM 13/STICK MARSH (Indian River County):

The St. Johns Water Management Area (SJWMA), known to most anglers as the Farm 13/Stick Marsh, is a 6,500-acre impoundment located along the east coast of central Florida in northwest Indian River County. Water depths range from 4 to 8 feet. Boaters unfamiliar with the SJWMA are advised to navigate to fishing locations with extreme caution due to the number of man-made and natural hazards present. Facilities include a double lane concrete boat ramp, air boat launch site, restroom and paved parking lot. Closest towns/cities are Melbourne, Palm Bay, Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere. No gas, food or bait available on site. Popular sportfish include largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and several catfish species. This water body is noted for its excellent bass fishing due to the special no harvest regulation on largemouth bass. The SJWMA is one of the top 10 trophy bass spots in the state.

Even though largemouth bass will be on a hot weather pattern this quarter, good catches are still possible for those who can adapt to the changing conditions. Those on the lake at first light will likely have the most success before the morning sun intensifies. Many local anglers prefer the late evening bite, especially after the thunderstorms have dissipated, as the best time to fish for bass. As mid-summer approaches, look for bass to be distributed widely throughout the reservoir, oriented to the shallow tops of underwater levees and woody structure along the western and southern shorelines. The intersections of the submerged north-south drainage canals in Farm 13 should also hold good numbers of bass. During the onset on the rainy season anglers should also key in on water control structure outflows as bass will school up in these areas to feed, often generating a strong bite.

Angler surveys conducted between January and April 2008 were similar in effort and catch success to the 2007 survey which showed a noticeable decline in fishing compared to the historical average. Many anglers and biologists attribute the drop in fishing success to the lack of submerged vegetation, which previously not only acted as fish attractors but also reduced turbidity and provided nursery habitat for strong year class production. The hydrilla that anglers were accustomed to orienting themselves to is still absent after being destroyed by the 2004 hurricanes, and anglers will need to continue to depend more upon onboard electronics to locate fish and fish-holding structure. Water conditions will dictate lure selection. This time of year, the diet of largemouth bass typically consists of threadfin and gizzard shad. Artificial lures that imitate shad, including topwater, shallow-running, and deep-diving crankbaits, should be anglers’ best bets. As always, golden shiners are the live bait of choice for anglers searching for trophy bass, followed by plastic worms.

Black crappie (speckled perch) fishing can be rewarding this time of the year for those anglers willing to seek them out. Look for them in and around deep-water structure, such as in Ditch 7 or along the drop-offs of underwater levees and ditches. Small jigs (1/32 to 1/8 ounce) with twister-tail or tube style tails and minnows should be productive in deep water and along grass lines. Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) will be found feeding and spawning along the perimeter levees and tops of submerged levees. Live crickets, worms, and grass shrimp will be the baits of choice, followed by beetle spins and small jigs. Catfishing on this reservoir is usually quite good, with traditional baits and methods all being productive.

Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass caught must be released immediately under the special no harvest regulation.

For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions, call Palm Bay Fishing Outfitters at (321) 952-4435 and Middleton’s Stick Marsh Bait and Tackle at (772) 571-9855.

A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the St. Johns Water Management District , it is referred to by them as the Blue Cypress management area.  For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions call Middleton’s Fish Camp at: (561) 778-0150.

LAKE GEORGE (Putnam & Volusia counties): This lake is a 46,000-acre natural impoundment of the St. Johns River with extensive vegetation that provides an excellent habitat for fish. There are jetties located on the south end of the lake where the St. Johns River enters the lake. Most of the lake is less than 10 feet deep but a natural channel provides navigation for boats as large as oil barges.

Public access can be obtained from Blue Creek Road to Lake George Road off of Highway 40, (See Central Region Boat Ramps for more detail). Private access to Lake George can be obtained from Pine Island fish camp (386-749-2818), or Georgetown Marina & Lodge (386-467-2002). For additional listings of fish camps or further information, please contact our fisheries office in DeLeon Springs at 386-985-7827.

Eelgrass at the mouth of Silver Glen Springs, a popular area for bass anglers, is somewhat sparse but coming back. For largemouth bass anglers, live shiners and artificial baits fished near the outer edge of deeper eelgrass beds and pilings should be effective. Shallow grass beds should be fished during early morning or late evening hours. As the water continues to warm, stripers should move into the cool spring refuges—the mouths of Silver Glen and Salt Springs may provide some early morning/late evening action. Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing should be good early this period but will taper off after the spawn.

For further information please contact our DeLeon Springs Office at 386-985-7827.  

LAKE HARRIS (Lake County): Lake Harris is an 13,788 acre lake located south and east of the City of Leesburg. Access to the lake is from Singletary Park on the outskirts of Leesburg on U.S. Hwy 27, at a City of Leesburg boat ramp in Venetian Gardens off of SR 44 (Dixie Avenue), at the Hickory Point recreational area ($2.00 fee per vehicle) on SR 19 south of Tavares, and in Astatula at a ramp on Florida Avenue west of C.R. 561. Lake Harris Lodge (352-343-4111) is a fish camp located on Lake Harris off of US Hwy 19 south of Tavares, and Palm Gardens (352-343-2024) is located on US Hwy 441 near Tavares.

Largemouth bass fishing is productive along deep-water edges of vegetation and in canal systems. Topwater plugs, plastic worms and crankbaits are the top lures. Spawning bluegill and redear sunfish will bite best around the new and full moon phases on worms and crickets. Fish the shoreline vegetation in areas with a firm substrate. Black crappie will provide some action at night on minnows below the Highway 19 bridge.

KENANSVILLE LAKE-formerly Blue Cypress Reservoir (Indian River County):

Kenansville Lake is a shallow 2,500- acre impoundment with an average water depth of 3 feet. This area was cattle pasture prior to flooding in 1993. Boaters, especially those unfamiliar with this water body, should navigate with caution as there are rows of submerged fence posts throughout the lake. Interior levees are also located at the north, center and south areas of the lake. A single lane concrete boat ramp is the only facility on the site. The town of Kenansville is the closest place to obtain gas, food and bait. Although most anglers fish this area by boat, bank fishing is available along the access canal and north end of the lake for those willing to walk or ride a bicycle to those areas. The most popular fish species include: black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. All largemouth bass are protected by a special no harvest regulation.

Lower water levels in the lake seemed to be a major concern for many anglers during the past year since the re-diversion project was completed. Water levels in Kenansville Lake are probably 1-2 feet lower on average, making navigation outside submerged drainage canals difficult.

Bass fishing usually drops off dramatically during the summer months, but anglers targeting bluegill and redear sunfish should be able to locate good numbers of these panfish in 1-3 feet of water adjacent to levees and along submerged canal berms throughout the impoundment. With decreasing water clarity resulting from algae blooms in the warming water, live crickets will to be responsible for producing some of the better catches compared to using artificials. Black crappie anglers will continue to catch fair numbers of fish by drifting live minnows slowly under a small float in the deeper waters along the east side and from the submerged drainage canals.

Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass caught must be released immediately under the special no-harvest regulation.

A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the St. Johns Water Management District here.

LAKE KISSIMMEE (Osceola County): Lake Kissimmee is a 34,948-acre lake located 40 miles south of Orlando and 18 miles east of Lake Wales.

Largemouth bass can be located in shallow water at certain times of the day during these months (usually during mornings and evenings), but typically will seek refuge from the midday heat in areas of the lake having cooler, deeper water. With this in mind, anglers too should choose the cooler morning and evening hours of the day to enjoy their trips when these fish are usually a little more eager to feed. (But if you brave the midday heat, don’t forget your sunscreen!). Bass anglers fishing in and around vegetation on the south and west sides of Brahma Island and near the Pig Trail with live bait (golden shiners) have had good luck in the past. Also, trolling shiners offshore at the mouth of the lakes Hatchineha/Kissimmee canal (C-37) and along vegetation associated with the channel north of SR 60 should account for some good action.

For those bass anglers wanting to use artificial lures, 1/4 ounce or 3/8 ounce white or pearl colored spinnerbaits will be a good choice. These lures, along with topwater propeller baits (Devil’s Horse and Tiny Torpedoes), buzzbaits (lunker lures) and soft-bodied jerkbaits (white, Arkansas shiner, watermelon and motor oil colored), used around Ox Island, 27-Palms and Grassy Island should give anglers a good chance at some exciting action. Deep-diving crankbaits (shad colored) fished near deeper areas of the lake (channels or bottom irregularities) could also account for some nice stringers. In addition, the ever-popular plastic worm (black grape, red shad and Junebug colored) should be included in anglers’ tackle boxes for use within and around edges of open-water vegetation.

During this time of year, baitfish (shad) can usually been seen congregating at or near the surface in open water. If anglers happen upon this activity, bass should not be too far away and attentive anglers should try their luck with lipless crankbaits (Rat-L-Traps and Hot Spots) in and around these baitfish schools.

Spawning activity by bluegill will continue in earnest during these months. Anglers should seek out areas of the lake having clean, sandy bottoms, and use live bait (crickets or red wigglers) fished just off the bottom (split-shot sinker placed 5-6 inches above the bait). Native vegetated areas north and south of Overstreet’s Landing, Ox Island, Philadelphia Point, 27-Palms and Brahma Island should not be overlooked as possible waters to be tested. Speckled perch (black crappie) action typically is somewhat slower during these months, but respectable stringers can be obtained by fishing with minnows at the edges of vegetation near Bird and Brahma islands and along vegetation associated with the channel north of SR 60. Black crappie anglers will need to move around within these areas in order to increase their chance of locating these scrappy fighters.

There are quite a few fish camps in the area. For further information on Lake Kissimmee or a listing of the fish camps, please contact the Kissimmee Fisheries office at (407)846-5300.  See Fishing Hot Spot Maps for a detailed interactive map of the lake, and to purchase maps from them.

LAKE MONROE (Seminole & Volusia counties): The St. Johns River flows through this 9,406-acre lake.  The city of Sanford borders on the southern shoreline.  Public access can be utilized off the Seminole County side of the intersection of Highway 17/92 and I-4; north side of the lake off of Enterprise Road; and at Monroe Harbor Marina in downtown Sanford.  Private access and more recent fishing information can be obtained form Lake Monroe Inn Bait & Tackle (407/322-3108),   Highbanks Marina and Camp Resort (386/668-4491), or Best Western Marina (407/323-1910)

For further information please contact our fisheries office in DeLeon Springs at 386-985-7827. 

Drought conditions mean very shallow waters around this lake making access more difficult. However, bulrush patches provide much habitat on the northern and western shores for both largemouth bass and bream anglers to target during this quarter. Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing should be good early this period but taper off after the spawn. Eelgrass beds continue to spread into new areas of the lake and anglers should explore to find new fish habitat, particularly along the southern shoreline.

OCALA FOREST LAKES (Lakes & Marion counties): There are approximately 600 natural lakes in the Ocala National Forest with lakes Bryant, Mill Dam, Kerr, Crooked, Wildcat, Lou Echo, Grasshopper, Eaton and Quarry Fish Pond being the most popular. A booklet titles "Fishing Opportunities in the Ocala National Forest" by the Ocala National Forest Interpretive Association is available at the Visitors Welcome Center at the intersection of S.R. 40 and C.R. 315. This booklet describes sport fishing locations, with recommendations for fishing methods and accessibility, as well as a topographic map.

Due to a continued drought, access to many smaller lakes is limited to small jon boats and canoes. Boat ramps on larger lakes, such as Bryant, Kerr, and Wildcat, are still accessible to larger boats such as bass boats. Largemouth bass action is good early and late in the day on live shiners, topwater lures and plastic worms along grasslines, particularly on lakes Kerr and Bryant. Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) are providing a lot of action on worms, crickets and grass shrimp around lily pads and bulrush.

Note: There is a slot and special bag limit on Lake Kerr. No person shall kill or possess any largemouth bass that is 15” or more in total length and less than 24 inches in total length. No person shall take in one day more than 3 largemouth bass of which only one may be 24” or longer in total length.

Please note: Lake Wildcat has a special regulation requiring all largemouth bass to be released immediately.

OKLAWAHA RIVER (Marion & Putnam counties): The Oklawaha River originates at the north end of Lake Griffin in Lake County. The upper reach is largely channelized but is in a natural condition for most of its length. Rodman Reservoir is a 16 mile impoundment lying between Highway 316 near Ft. McCoy to Highway 19 near Palatka. The river is again natural from the Rodman Dam to its confluence with the St. Johns River near Welaka.

Largemouth bass fishing is good using live shiners and plastic worms around deepwater structures, while topwater lures are productive early and late in the day near vegetation or brush. Channel and white catfish are active downstream of Rodman Dam in deep holes along bends of the river and are being taken on worms and chicken livers. Bluegill and redear sunfish action is fair using worm and crickets. Redbreast and spotted sunfish are biting well on small spinnerbaits near cypress stumps and lily pads.

Public boat ramps are at Moss Bluff off Highway 464, Ray-Davidson Park at Highway 40, Gores Landing off CR 415, Eureka East and West on Highway 316, Orange Springs, Kenwood Landing and Hog Valley on Rodman Reservoir, Rodman Dam off Highway 19 and Highway 19 south of the barge canal.

LAKE PANASOFFKEE (Sumter County):  This is a 4,460-acre Fish Management Area located by the town of Lake Panasoffkee.  Panasoffkee is unusual; a true spring-fed lake, water depths seldom exceed four feet.  I-75 runs along the eastern edge and C.R. 470 along the southern and western shore.  A public ramp is available on the Outlet River, west of the lake on C.R. 470. 

Bluegill and redear sunfish action is very good on crickets, worms, and grass shrimp in open-water areas. Look for exposed snail shell beds to find spawning sunfish around the new and full moon phases. Anchor your boat and wait 15-20 minutes before moving on as fish momentarily flee. Largemouth bass action is fair on plastic worms or topwater lures fished in and around aquatic plant beds. Due to the drought water levels are very low and access at Pana Vista Lodge is limited to small jon boats. Larger boats can still launch at Tracy’s Point Fish Camp.

Please note: A dredging project to remove sediments overlying shell beds and to deepen portions of the lake is in progress. Boaters should exercise caution to avoid the dredge and discharge pipe.

For more information on fishing conditions you can contact the Pana Vista Lodge at 352-793-2061. For information on other fish camps in the area, please call our Ocala office at 352-732-1225.

RODMAN RESERVOIR (Putnam County): A premier largemouth bass fishery located in north Northeast Florida, covers 9,500 acres and is about 15 miles long. It is located south of Palatka off of Hwy 19. The reservoir was created in 1968 when an earthen dam was built across the Ocklawaha River. A four-gate spillway (Kirkpatrick Dam) controls the water levels of the reservoir. The reservoir from its headwaters at Eureka Dam to Paynes Landing consists of flooded woodlands. The transition section from Paynes Landing to Orange Springs consists of flooded standing timber and areas of floating vegetation. The pool section from Orange Springs to Kirkpatrick Dam, including the river channel and the Cross Florida Barge Canal, consists of floating and submersed vegetation, dead standing timber and submersed and partially submersed trees and stumps. The Barge Canal and river channel have water depths up to 30 feet deep. Submersed vegetation (hydrilla, coontail and eel grass) is common in the pool section of the reservoir. Drawdowns are conducted every three to four years on the reservoir for aquatic plant control and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement.

With the hot summer months approaching, largemouth bass will generally move off the flats and seek deeper water. Largemouth bass anglers will have success fishing the river channel with deep crankbaits and Carolina-rigged worms. Early morning and early evening topwater action should be good along the flats adjacent to the river channel from Orange Spring to Kirkpatrick Dam. Deep bends are holding largemouth bass from Orange Springs to Eureka. Again, deep crankbaits and Carolina-rigged worms are best baits. Bluegill and redear sunfish action is good in the vegetation mats along the Kenwood area, while redbreast sunfish action is heating up upstream of Orange Springs in deep holes. Grass shrimp and worms are your best baits.

* Special note: Look out for floating logs. Use caution when boating in the river channel, Barge Canal and stump fields.

For updated information:
The Tackle Box (352) 372-1791 or (904) 328-9311

ST. JOHNS RIVER (Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns & Volusia counties):

Lower St. Johns River and Lakes:  

Largemouth bass should continue to be caught following the schools of baitfish present in the river. Anglers should plan on being out early as recreational boating reaches its peak during this time of year making many areas of the river difficult to fish even in the late evening. The redear sunfish (shellcracker) and bluegill spawns come to an end but fishing should remain good early this period. Lake Jesup (currently extremely shallow) and Lake George are among the most popular bream fisheries on the river. Striped bass seek cool water in the summer and should be congregating near the mouth of Blue Springs, the Wekiva River, the Croaker Hole in Little Lake George, and at other thermal refuges in the river. Grass shrimp, small shad, and eels (when available) are the preferred baits for these fish.

Upper St. Johns River and Lakes:  

Water levels in the upper St. Johns River were lower than normal throughout Spring due to low rainfall but should rise during this quarter as the summer rainy season begins. The river sections between lakes Winder and Poinsett and from SR 520 to SR 46 have been restricted to smaller, shallow-draft boats and airboats but should become accessible to all types of fishing boats if seasonal weather conditions prevail.

As long as the river remains inside its banks, fish will be concentrated in the deeper holes and sandbar drop-offs where clean water can be found. As water levels begin to rise, anglers should find bass and panfish catches improving without having to motor great distances. Moving water resulting from seasonal rainfall usually stimulates feeding activity in the river and in the entrances and exits of lakes. Anglers should target the edges of submerged vegetation along banks, sharp bends, and drop-offs near shallow bars. Traditional methods for taking all species will work. Swimming plastic worms/jerkbaits and twitching shallow-running minnow imitations are preferred tactics among many bass anglers here. Fly fishing with a surface popper is also a very popular and productive way to catch both bass and panfish in these sections of the river. Lake Washington will be the best choice for those anglers with larger boats because the lake has a dam at its outlet and is typically deeper. The south entrance to the lake and its northern exit above the dam are two top spots to try for all species. Bass and panfish fishing should be good among the mixed bulrush, bonnets and emergent grass located along the deeper eastern shoreline. Crappie anglers should take fair numbers of fish by slow-trolling artificials or by drifting with live minnows in the deeper, open water areas of Lake Washington and in Lake Poinsett, too, if adequate rainfall raises that lake.

Anglers are reminded that a saltwater fishing license is required to possess shad when fishing from a boat, and the bag limit is 10 fish.

The "River Returns" is a high definition television show about the St. Johns River that will air in October on PBS.  Meanwhile their Web site provides some excellent information about the river.

For listings of fish camps or for further information please contact our fisheries office in DeLeon Springs at 386-985-7827. For lakes Washington, Poinsett and Winder please contact or East coast Fisheries office in Melbourne at 407-752-3115. 

LAKE TOHOPEKALIGA (Osceola County): Lake Tohopekaliga known to the locals as Lake Toho is an 18,810-acre lake located southeast of the city of Kissimmee.  The lakes Commission made fish attractors are especially popular fishing areas, for a map with lat-long coordinates, click here. 

Largemouth bass anglers may want to direct their time on the water around the mouth of Shingle Creek, enhanced shorelines east and west of South Port Park, Lanier Point, Goblets Cove, and Brown’s Point. Offshore hydrilla patches near channel marker 24, Little Grassy Island, and in Goblets Cove should also hold a good number of bass. Additionally, anglers who can find moving water associated with rainfall runoff should give these areas a cast or two. Both live and artificial baits should be very effective utilized within all the above mentioned areas. Golden shiners will be the live bait of choice by many anglers, although spinnerbaits (white, white/chartreuse or yellow skirted), lipless crankbaits (chrome or shad colored) and plastic worms (motor oil, black grape, black/blue, and Junebug colored) will account for a fair share of the catches.
Typical for this time of year, spawning activity by bluegill will be in full force in Lake Tohopekaliga. Anglers targeting bluegill should try to schedule time on the water around the new and full moon phases and concentrate their efforts in areas having sandy bottoms associated with native vegetation. Brown’s Point and North Steer Beach are two areas of the lake which have been productive over the years. Live bait (crickets and red wigglers) will be the bait of choice by many bluegill anglers, but small artificial jigs (tube lure or curly-tailed) or beetle spins (white or yellow colored) will also account for some respectable stringers of fish.

A six-lane boat ramp with a floating courtesy dock is located on Lakeshore Blvd. From the intersection of Highway 192 and Highway 441/17-92 in Kissimmee, travel south on Main Street 0.6 mile to Monument Avenue. Turn left onto Monument Avenue and follow to Lakeshore Blvd. Turn right on Lakeshore and follow 0.3 miles to ramp on left. Pier and bank fishing is allowed. A marina is located approximately 0.2 miles north of ramp.

For more information on Lake Toho or the fish camps in the area, please contact the Kissimmee Fisheries office at (407) 846-5300.   See Fishing Hot Spot Maps for a detailed interactive map of the lake, and to purchase maps from them.

LAKE YALE (Lake County): Lake Yale is a 4,042-acre lake located northwest of the City of Eustis. Access to the lake is from C.R. 452 in Marsh Park on the outskirts of Eustis and off C.R. 450 west of the City of Umatilla.

Largemouth bass fishing is good using shiners, plastic worms, topwater plugs and spinnerbaits near vegetation during low light periods. Bluegill and redear sunfish action is very good as both species continue their spawning cycle. Best results occur during the full and new moon phases around shoreline vegetation. Use live baits such as worms, crickets, or grass shrimp or small spinnerbaits.

There are no fish camps on the lake, but you can get bait and supplies from Owens Marine on S.R. 19 in Eustis or from Umatilla Bait and Tackle on S.R. 19 just south of Umatilla. For more information on how fishing has been lately, contact the Eustis Field Office at 352-742-6438.

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