Osborne Chain-of-Lakes

During the winter months, cooler temperatures and lower water levels create ideal conditions for fishing throughout the day. As bass begin to prepare for their spawning season, they migrate into shallower waters to feed, making them easier targets for shore anglers. Effective lures for catching Florida Bass consist of crankbaits, jigs, and plastic worms. Additionally, Sunshine bass are often found in the deeper parts of the lakes especially near baitfish. Sunshine bass tend to travel and feed in schools, with their peak activity occurring in the mornings and evenings. Utilizing live bait, such as shad or shrimp, can significantly improve your chances of catching a sunshine bass.

The Butterfly Peacock Bass community is thriving within the Osborne-Chain-of-Lakes. To effectively land a Butterfly Peacock Bass, try using a variety of baits including in-line spinners, feather jigs, flies, and live shiners. Targeting shallow, warmer areas that provide cover with vegetation, as well as structures like falling trees, can increase success.

The Osborne Chain-of-Lakes is an excellent place to fish for a variety of panfish, such as Bluegill and Redear Sunfish. Anglers should focus on areas with vegetation using small jigs or live worms to achieve optimal results, and they should keep moving until they locate fish.

This area also has unique opportunities for anglers to catch several nonnative fish including Mayan Cichlids, Clown Knifefish, and Bullseye Snakeheads. Live bait is the most common option for targeting non-natives. Cichlids can be caught like panfish by targeting vegetation and known spawning areas.

Clown Knifefish are commonly caught using shiners. Shad serves as another popular bait fish. Targeting deeper water or structures such as bridges during the early morning and evening hours, as they are nocturnal, will increase odds of catching a Clown Knifefish. Clown Knifefish can also be caught using rattletraps in deeper water pockets.

Goldline (formerly Bullseye) Snakeheads can often be found near shorelines or in shallow areas with dense vegetation, where they seek out cover for protection and will strike at virtually any moving target in front of them. Topwater lures, especially topwater frogs, are often the most effective means of landing a snakehead. Snakeheads possess a highly developed lateral line that enables them to detect vibrations in the water, so it is advisable to maintain your distance and cast your line ahead of yourself.

Utilizing the fish attractors on these Lakes is an excellent way to catch fish native fish. For more information about the attractors and their exact locations visit the FWC Fish Attractor Web Page and the Interactive Fish Attractor Finder.