Lake Istokpoga

Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish (shellcrackers) fishing has slowed, but fish can still be caught while fishing for black crappie (specks). Specks will be turning on with the cooler water temperatures in these next few months. Drift live Missouri minnows and grass shrimp in open water, or troll with Napier deer hair jigs and Hal flies for schooling fish. Find areas with sandy bottoms around bulrush and cattails, and fish a grass shrimp under a cork for spawning fish. Henderson’s Cove and the north end of the lake usually produces good numbers of specks on the outside edge of the pads and grasses near deeper water. For Florida Bass, Lake Istokpoga is one of the best lakes in the state at a chance to get your hands on a fish of a lifetime. There are plenty of trophy sized bass swimming in this lake. If you happen to land one, make sure to register it to our TrophyCatch Program! This time of year, bass fishing can be tough, with cold fronts slowing the fishing on a regular basis; therefore, fishing for bass between the cold fronts can be very productive. Slow working baits like plastic worms in Junebug and red shad colors and suspending jerkbaits in shad colors can be beneficial during these colder months. Just remember you must have patience while working these baits! Live wild shiners typically produce better than artificial baits during this time of year. Bass will begin to spawn in late January and will be moving into areas in and around bulrush (buggy whips) on the northern and western shorelines. Flipping these areas with soft plastics will be the best bet during the spawning season. You may also find luck in the fields of eelgrass that cover most of the eastern shoreline. Use caution when the wind blows on this shallow lake, it can get rough in a hurry!