Saddle Creek Park
Polk County
Saddle Creek Park is a series of phosphate pits on 740 acres of mined phosphate land east of Lakeland off U.S. Route 92 in Polk County. The park provides convenient opportunities for family outings, picnics, boating, and fishing. An abundance of bank fishing makes this a unique Fish Management Area. Channel catfish are stocked regularly by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and largemouth bass are popular with Saddle Creek anglers. The special regulations on largemouth bass (15-24 inch protective slot limit, 3 fish bag limit) and catfish (6 fish bag limit) are needed to maintain desirable fish populations under intense fishing pressure. Fish feeders are operated and maintained near a number of bank fishing sites. Fishing for catfish and bluegill is often good in these areas. Willow is the major shoreline vegetation. There are a number of public boat ramps on Saddle Creek Park Road, which runs through the middle of the park.
For more information contact Phillips Bait and Tackle at 863-666-2248.
Anglers can also check out this outstanding Web site.
Saddle Creek offers excellent bank fishing opportunities. Look for Florida bass in the back of coves and along deeper shorelines. Soft plastic flukes on a Texas rig, spinnerbaits, and topwater baits should produce some bites. As the weather continues to cool off, fish deeper structures using plastic worms on a shaky head or a dropshot. Live minnows and shiners will be your best chance at catching bass using bait. For crappie, fish deep brush piles and structure using a light jig or a minnow. Small spinners are also effective when targeting crappie. Worms under a bobber or fished with a light sinker will produce panfish. Anglers have also had success using small spinnerbaits. Catfishing can be productive year-round at Saddle Creek. Try using stink baits, chicken liver, or cut shad. Tight lines!
Popular Species
Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.
More species information is available for:
Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie
TrophyCatch Tracker
TrophyCatch is FWC's citizen-science program that rewards anglers for documenting and releasing trophy bass 8 pounds or larger. The following TrophyCatch bass have been submitted from Saddle Creek:
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 18
Trophy Club (10 - 12.9 pounds): 4