Fish Orlando

Fish Orlando! “We’re bringing quality fishing to families.”

NOTE: For more information about Fish Orlando, call 352-732-1225 or email: fishorlando@MyFWC.com.

URBAN PONDS (Barnett Park Frog Pond, Bear Creek, Lake Island Park, and Santiago): All four of the URBAN PONDS received spring channel catfish stockings in early April thanks to the generous support from the city of Orlando, city of Winter Park, and Orange County. In all four ponds, focus your efforts early or late in the day around the “Baited Fishing Area” signs and aerator diffusers (bubbles coming to the surface mark the diffusers). Try chicken liver, hot dogs, bacon, or night crawlers fished on the bottom. For more bites use light monofilament lines (< 8 lb test). The April surveys indicted excellent fishing for these recently stocked catfish.

The Fish Orlando BIG WATER BODIES (Butler Chain, Conway Chain, Johns Lake, and Winter Park Chain):

With the warmer temperatures, spend most of your time in the deeper water especially where it connects to submersed aquatic vegetation. Finesse baits such as wacky rigged worms and drop shots on fluorocarbon line are one effective way to catch the bass when they are inactive. Hard jerk baits have also recently been very effective, especially when the bass suspend. First thing in the morning, the last few hours of light in the evening, and after dark, try top waters such as spook type lures and buzzbaits. Start by fishing them slightly shallower along the deepwater breakline. Lastly keep your eyes out for schooling bass chasing shad, especially first thing in the morning or at sundown. Lipless crankbaits, swim baits, umbrella rigs, and flukes will often catch these schoolers.

The Fish Orlando FAB FIVE water bodies:

Clear Lake: Although this FAB FIVE is managed for hybrid striped bass, because hybrids are a cool water fish it would be best to focus on the channel catfish action this quarter. Liver fished on the bottom around the numerous dredge holes is a good way to “hook up”; sprinkle the liver with unflavored gelatin prior to the trip to help keep the bait on the hook. The dredge areas are listed on a topographical map, which can be obtained by emailing the Fish Orlando office (fishorlando@myfwc.com). If the dredge holes do not hold fish try fishing the mouths of the numerous canals associated with the lake.

Lake Ivanhoe: The bass in this FAB FIVE should be in the 8 – 15 foot depth range next to the submerged vegetation. Try a ¼ oz Texas rigged uvibe or a wacky rigged trick worm on the drops from 6 feet into 12 feet. If you see bass chasing shad on or near the surface they often will hit a fluke or rattle trap. Unlike Starke and Underhill where the deeper productive water is usually out of reach of the shore angler, Ivanhoe’s narrow littoral zone (vegetation zone) allows for this area to be reached with a 20 – 50 foot cast from the bank, making it appealing to non-boaters even in the warmer months.

Starke Lake: This FAB FIVE is still being affected by blue green algae blooms which have suppressed the bass numbers this lake is historically known for. With this said the city of Ocoee has 10 million dollars set aside to try and improve the water quality in the next few years. Most of the largemouth bass will be in deeper water (> 10 feet). For a starting point try the fish attractors (marked with an FWC buoy). Work done by our research team out of the Eustis Lab indicated that catch rates on these artificial trees are as good as brush. The artificial trees also do not have to be replaced every 3-5 years like the brush. Good baits on these attractors include Carolina and Texas-rigged worms. If the fish are active try a crankbait that runs between 4 and 8 feet but make sure you bring a lure retriever. The fish attractors are listed on a topographical map, which can be obtained by emailing the Fish Orlando office (See contact info above). Also try casting wacky rigged senkos, flukes, or weightless trick worms along the drop offs; trolling diving crankbaits along this same structure works as well. Schooling bass may also be present in the early morning or late evening hours. A fluke or swim bait is good lures for these fish.

Turkey Lake: Many of the largemouth bass will be out on the fish attractors (marked with an FWC buoy). Try Texas-rigged (1/4 oz) June bug ribbon tailed worms, ¾ oz lipless crankbaits, and deep diving crankbaits (fire tiger patterns). The fish attractors for this FAB FIVE are listed on a topographical map, which can be obtained by emailing the Fish Orlando office (see contact information above). Although not always consistent, schooling bass in the open water may also be another option this quarter; particularly first thing in the morning. Cast lipless crankbaits, white spinnerbaits, topwater’s, and shad imitating jigs right into the area where the fish are surfacing. If bites in the open water do not produce, try flukes and Texas and wacky rigged senkos on the edges of the deeper Kissimmee grass and pads. The edges of the submersed vegetation in 8-10 feet of water are also worth checking with these baits. Due to deed restrictions, there is no public boat access on Turkey Lake, but the FWC, the City of Orlando, and Bass Pro Shops Orlando have teamed together to provide a Boat Loaner Program where four Bass Tracker Boats can be rented for only $32 a morning (7 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.; Thurs - Sun). Call the City of Orlando’s Bill Frederick Park at 407-246-4486 to reserve a boat!

Lake Underhill: The FWC Invasive Plant section partnered with Fish Orlando and the City of Orlando to do a whole lake hydrilla treatment this Spring. To date, the results have been outstanding with plenty of deep water hydrilla in 12 – 15 feet and shallow native submersed plants. Try fishing the deep water edges of this hydrilla during this quarter. However in overcast or low light conditions, try fishing slightly shallower (8’ – 10’). Texas rigged worms, flukes, weightless/weedless rigged senkos, and wacky worms are all good consistent producers. Also try deep diving crankbaits. Zara spook type top waters may draw strikes first thing in the morning, right before sunset or right before summer storms roll in. Night fishing is also a good option during this quarter. Use black colored Texas-rigged worms or black top waters.

For the latest freshwater fishing rules please see the Freshwater Fishing Regulations page.

Statewide bag and length limits (if no other regulations apply): No person shall take in any one day more than the following bag limits of freshwater game fish:

• 5 largemouth bass, only one of which may be 16 inches or longer in total length. There is no minimum length limit for largemouth bass.
• 50 Panfish (no minimum length) including bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), spotted sunfish (stumpknocker), warmouth and redbreast sunfish, individually or in total.
• 25 Crappie (also call speckled perch or “speck”; no minimum length).
• 20 Striped bass and sunshine bass (individually or in total), of which only 6 may be 24 inches or longer in total length.

BIG WATER BODIES (Butler Chain, Conway Chain, Johns Lake, Winter Park Chain):

Statewide regulations apply.

The FAB FIVE:

Clear Lake: Statewide regulations except possession of cast nets are prohibited. For convenience, all the regulations have been posted in informational kiosks at two locations (George Barker Park boat ramp and Clear Lake Park).

Lake Ivanhoe: Statewide regulations except panfish bag limit of 20 and possession of cast nets is prohibited. For convenience, all the regulations have been posted in an informational kiosk at Gaston-Edwards Park boat ramp.

Starke Lake: Statewide regulations except panfish bag limit of 20 and possession of cast nets is prohibited. For convenience, all the regulations have been posted in informational kiosks at the city of Ocoee boat ramp and at the fishing pier.

Turkey Lake: Statewide regulations except catch-and-release for largemouth bass, panfish bag limit of 20, channel catfish bag limit of 6, possession of cast nets is prohibited. Except for sanctioned events, gasoline motors may not be used on boats. For convenience, lake regulations have been posted in informational kiosks at three locations (boat concession, fixed fishing pier and primitive camping area).

Lake Underhill: Statewide regulations except catch-and-release for largemouth bass, panfish bag limit of 20, channel catfish bag limit of 6, possession of cast nets is prohibited. For convenience, lake regulations have been posted in an informational kiosk at the boat ramp.

URBAN PONDS:

Barnett Park Frog Pond: Statewide regulations. For convenience, these have been posted in an informational kiosk at the pond.

Bear Creek Park Pond: Statewide regulations except panfish bag limit of 20, channel catfish bag limit of 6, possession of cast nets is prohibited. For convenience, lake regulations have been posted in an informational kiosk at the pond.

Lake Island (MLK Jr. Park): Statewide regulations. For convenience, lake regulations have been posted in an informational kiosk at the pond.

Lake Santiago: Statewide regulations except panfish bag limit of 20, channel catfish bag limit of 6, possession of cast nets is prohibited, and boats are prohibited. For convenience, lake regulations have been posted in an informational kiosk at the pond.

OTHER WATER BODIES:

Lake Baldwin (225 acres): Statewide fisheries regulations but boats with motors have to abide by a “no wake” restriction.

Lake Fairview (401 acres): Statewide regulations apply.

Hal Scott Preserve (approx. 30 acres): Largemouth bass catch-and-release. Panfish bag limit of 20. Channel catfish bag limit of 6. Cast nets are prohibited. Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.

Little Econlockhatchee River: Statewide regulations apply.

Secret Lake: Panfish bag limit of 20. Channel catfish bag limit of 6. Cast nets are prohibited. Personal watercraft are prohibited.

Shadow Bay Park: Channel catfish 30 inch minimum size limit (1 fish bag limit). Largemouth bass catch and release, bluegill 12 inch minimum size (5 fish bag limit).