Largemouth bass are found in almost every body of freshwater in Florida. With more than 7,500 lakes available, anglers sometimes face a tough decision about where to fish. The following list of Top 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 2008.  See also the Department of Health’s Florida Fish Consumption Advisories for important information about eating fish.

Lake George

Lake George is one of the premier largemouth bass fishing lakes in central Florida. It is the second largest lake in the state (46,000 acres), and is located 18 miles northwest of Deland and 29 miles east of Ocala.

Lake George is one of the many natural lakes that are part of the St. Johns River System. It has extensive vegetation that provides excellent habitat for bass. Wade fishing in eel grass with plastic worms fished on the surface or with other topwater lures is productive. Fishing with live golden 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. Casting deep-diving crankbaits near old dock structures along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island can also be productive.

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 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 Highway 40. A fishing pier is also located along the east side of the lake at the end of Nine Mile Point Road.

Consumption Advisory:  Relatively low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in the St. Johns River from the SR 415 bridge near Enterprise south, including Lake George.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children should follow Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week).

West LakeTohopekaliga (Lake Toho)
Lake Tohopekaliga (18,810 acres), locally known as Lake “Toho,” is located adjacent to the City of Kissimmee in central Florida and represents the second largest water body on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. It is widely known among both professional and recreational anglers as an outstanding fishery, and its close proximity to numerous central Florida vacation attractions places Lake Toho among the elite fishing destinations in the nation. The lake received national attention during 2001 when the all-time B.A.S.S. tournament record for total weight was eclipsed by professional angler Dean Rojas with a total catch of 108 pounds. During the four-day competition, two 40-pound-plus limits, 21 bass over ten pounds, and 251 five-fish limits were brought to the scales. Numerous professional and amateur tournaments continue to be held each year at the lake, further signifying the popularity of this water body as a bass fishery.

In spring 2004 Lake Toho underwent an extreme drawdown and habitat enhancement project to improve critical shoreline habitat for fish and wildlife utilization. As a result, approximately 8.4 million cubic yards of organic material and associated vegetation was removed from 3,506 acres of lake bottom. Today, the lake boasts an extensive and diverse vegetation community that provides essential spawning and nursery habitat for both fish and wildlife populations.

Many anglers targeting trophy bass use live bait during early spring. Live golden shiners fished inshore near native vegetation or topped-out hydrilla account for many memorable fish each year. Plastic baits (worms, crawfish and lizards) flipped along grass edges, hydrilla beds or bulrush will catch quality-sized bass. Spinnerbaits, soft jerkbaits and chugging baits can also be very productive. Both Texas- and Carolina-rigged plastic worms and rattling crankbaits are proven lures during warmer months of the year.  North Steer Beach, Little Grassy Island and Goblet’s Cove are popular fishing spots on the lake. Both the mouth of Shingle Creek and St. Cloud Canal (C-31 canal) hold good concentrations of fish when flow is present through these tributaries. Eight man-made fish attractors located in deeper areas of the lake consistently produce good stringers of bass during the summer.

Two fish camps, one marina, one county park and five public boat ramps are available to anglers. Two fishing piers and numerous access points exist for bank fisherman along the north shore.

For more information about the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes visit www.floridakiss.com

Consumption Advisory:  Relatively low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in Lake Tohopekaliga.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz .of cooked bass per month. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week). 

Lake Kissimmee

Lake Tarpon
Lake Tarpon is a 2,500-acre lake near Tampa/St. Petersburg in Pinellas County. This lake has consistently produced high quality largemouth bass fishing 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 individual anglers catching upwards of 20 fish, including an occasional ten-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 eel grass beds. Popular lures offshore include shad-imitating jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and topwater baits. Fishing with live 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.

Consumption Advisory:  Very low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in Lake Tarpon.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to eight 6 oz. meals per month (or two per Week).

Lake Weohyakapka (Lake Walk-in-Water)
Lake Weohyakapka, commonly known as Lake Walk–in-Water, is a 7,500-acre water body. The lake is located south of Orlando and east of Lake Wales, and is just south of S.R. 60. Lake Walk-in-Water 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. The lake also produces many trophy bass exceeding ten pounds each year. A 15- to 24-inch slot limit regulation and a three-bass daily bag limit are 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.

Typically, the best technique to catch trophy bass is to drift live wild shiners over hydrilla weed beds; however, the 2004 hurricanes cleared most of the hydrilla from the lake. Soft jerkbaits, lipless rattling crankbaits, and plastic worms also produce bass in these areas when hydrilla is present. Angling techniques need to be altered since the hydrilla has not returned as expected, with only a few small patches being found. However, if you can find them, these few hydrilla patches should hold good numbers of bass.

Pitching live wild shiners and flipping soft plastic baits in the bulrush (“buggy whips” or “round rush”) in the northern, eastern, and southern areas of the lake should be successful through spring 2007. Spinnerbaits should also produce bass in the bulrush and cattail stands. Bass have also been found in maidencane grass and knotgrass (Kissimmee grass) stands along the shoreline during spring and fall sampling on the lake. Soft jerkbaits are a must when fishing these areas.

Topwater lures are also productive, particularly chuggers or walk-the-dog types of baits. Although topwater baits catch fish throughout the year, summer months offer the best action when schools of bass roam deep-water areas. Bass will move offshore when the shallow water temperature heats up through the summer.

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. 60. There is little access for bank fishing on the lake.

Lake Istokpoga
Largemouth 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 and has an average depth of only six feet. Past angler surveys have estimated more than 1,000 bass over 8 pounds being caught in less than a year’s time.  Bass angler catch rates were relatively slow last year, but have increased quite a bit this year.

Although bass fishing is excellent throughout the year, April and October are the best months for anglers looking for cooler weather and lots of bass. From January through April, bass can be found spawning in bulrush, cattail, and other vegetation over sandy lake bottom areas that were enhanced during the 2001 drawdown. Spawning bass can also be found around the lake’s two islands:  Big Island and Bumblebee Island. Flipping dark-colored, soft plastics in bulrush patches and in pockets of submerged vegetation can be productive during this time of year. Red shad and junebug colors seem to be the most successful when fishing with soft plastics.

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) can also 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 protected (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.

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 2 and 3

The Everglades Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) are south Florida marshlands intersected with over 200 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 largemouth bass fishing in the country. Daily catches of 50 or more bass are not uncommon during the peak season.

Over 25 public boat ramps provide access to the different segments of canals surrounding and intersecting the WCAs. The L-67A, L-35B and Alligator Alley (I-75) are three of the most popular canals in the area for fishing. A listing of FWC access points is available here:  MyFWC.com/boating/access/ramps/so-ramps.html

The best fishing usually occurs in the spring when declining water levels concentrate fish in the canals. April is the peak fishing month when angler catch rates can be as high a 4.1 bass per hour in the L-67A Canal. This past year in the L-67A Canal a peak season creel survey recorded an average catch rate of 1.8 bass per hour, with more than 20% of those fish 14 inches or longer. Catch rates for bass have also been excellent in the L-35B and L-38E canals.

Most anglers fish in the canals rather than in the marsh. Anglers work canal edges with plastic worms, soft jerkbaits and minnow imitations. Flipping the vegetation is also a popular technique. During high water, some anglers will enter the marsh areas where bass can be found in the open slough areas. The L-67A and Alligator Alley canals have access trails off them that are specifically cut to provide boat access to adjacent marsh areas.

The L-67A Canal has access at the north end at Everglades Holiday Park off U.S. 27, where camping and boat rentals are available. At the south end, it can be accessed via a FWC boat ramp at the S-333 water control structure off Tamiami Trail (S.R. 41). The L-67C Canal may also be accessed from a FWC boat ramp and parking area adjacent to this site.  One access point to the L-35B Canal is at Sawgrass Recreation Area off of U.S. 27, which has boat ramps and boat rentals. Ample access to the Alligator Alley Canal is available via a string of recreation areas and boat ramps along I-75.

A special bass fishing regulation is in effect in south Florida, including the Everglades Water Conservation Areas, where 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 prevents over-harvest of fish over 14 inches in total length.

FWC publishes a brochure specific to this area which provides additional information.  It is available from the regional office (561-625-5122) or online (http://floridafisheries.com/pdf/ewca.pdf). 

Special recommendations have been made for waters immediately adjacent to Alligator Alley (Interstate-75), which runs through Water Conservation Area 3.  In the borrow canals immediately north and south of Alligator Alley, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children should follow DOH guidelines and consume no largemouth bass.  All others should limit consumption of bass less than 14 inches to one 6 oz. meal of cooked bass in a month’s time.  No largemouth bass exceeding14 inches in length should be consumed.  FWC is monitoring largemouth bass from the canals near Alligator Alley and the rest of Water Conservation Areas 2 and 3 to determine why concentrations were elevated in waters along Alligator Alley. 

Crescent Lake
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 (eight pounds or larger) were collected.

Fall and early winter fishing tends to be best near deep-water structures such as dock pilings. Preferred artificial baits include plastic worms, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. 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.

Consumption advisory:  Very low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in Crescent Lake.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to eight 6 oz. meals per month (or two per Week).

Tenoroc Fish Management Area Lakes
The 7,300-acre Tenoroc Fish Management Area near Lakeland provides a special opportunity to bass fish in Florida’s famous phosphate pits. These 7- to 227-acre lakes were created years ago by draglines during phosphate surface mining operations. As a result, lake bottoms have irregular contours with depths ranging to 35 feet.

The bass fishing experience in these phosphate pits can rival any natural lake when the bass are biting well. Bass fishing is best from mid-November through March. Lake 3, Shop Lake, Hydrilla Lake, Butterfly Lake, Fish Hook Lake, Half Moon Lake and Lost Lake West offer some of the best bass fishing opportunities on the property.

Probing deeper waters with chrome-colored rattling lures and chartreuse (“Firetiger” color) diving crankbaits is a good bet in phosphate pits. Plastic worms are often the best all around lure for fishing in these lakes. Red shad and junebug colors are good plastic worm colors for bass in these lakes. Anglers that can find submersed islands or sandbars off points will find concentrations of bass. During the spring, flipping worms or soft plastic baits in thick brush will produce largemouth bass.

Tenoroc lakes are managed with a variety of catch-and-release harvest regulations; including total catch and release (no harvest) and 15-inch maximum size limits, in which anglers must immediately release all bass larger than 15 inches in total length.
 
Tenoroc is located just two miles northeast of Lakeland on Highway 659, which can be accessed from Highway 33 just south of Intestate I-4. Call the Tenoroc Headquarters at (863) 499-2422 for more information or to make reservations, because these lakes are only open to the public four days a week. All anglers must check in and out at the Tenoroc Fish Management Area Headquarters, deposit their valid fishing license and pay $3 for a daily fishing permit.

Consumption advisory: Very low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in Tenoroc lakes. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to eight 6 oz. meals per month (or two per Week).

Mosaic Fish Management Area
A bass fishing trip on the 1,000-acre Mosaic Fish Management Area in southwest Florida is definitely worth planning. There are 12 phosphate pits (i.e., lakes created by surface mining) that range in size from 10 to 200 acres, and have depths that range down to 30 feet. This fish management area is not very well known because it just recently opened. As a result, the fishing pressure is low and the bass fishing can turn on at a moment’s notice. These lakes offer a special opportunity to fish Florida’s famous phosphate pit bass fisheries.

Topwater baits around dawn and dusk, white or chartreuse spinnerbaits, plastic worms and chrome or “Firetiger” (chartreuse and orange) colored crankbaits can be successful. Fishing shoreline brush and vegetation works well in the spring. Anglers that can find submersed islands or sandbars off points will find concentrations of bass, particularly during warmer months of the year. Lakes LP2 West, SP11, SP12 North and SP12 South offer some of the best bass fishing opportunities on the property.

Mosaic lakes are managed with a variety of catch-and-release harvest regulations, including total catch and release (no harvest) and 15-inch maximum size limits, in which anglers must immediately release all bass larger than 15 inches in total length.

Mosaic Fish Management Area is located near Ft. Meade in Polk County. The fish management area is only open to public fishing four days a week from Friday through Monday. No reservations can be made, so lake permits are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please call (863) 499-2421 ext. 104 for more information about fishing at Mosaic Fish Management Area.