Walk-in-Water

Largemouth Bass fishing has been steady throughout the summer months, with many fish in the three to five-pound range being caught. Live, wild shiners generally produce good catches, and plastic worms, jigs, and suspending jerkbaits are the artificial baits of choice for the early fall months while water temperatures are still high. As water temperatures steadily decline into the early winter, anglers could target schooling Bass feeding on shad in shallow areas by using shad-imitating baits such as lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits. With the abundant native vegetation, such as bulrush (buggy whips), maidencane, and knotgrass (Kissimmee grass) along the shoreline, Lake Walk-in-Water provides some of the best topwater action in Polk County. Working weedless topwater baits like frogs and speedworms through the vegetation is a great way to see some explosive strikes! There are plenty of TrophyCatch quality Bass swimming here. During recent electrofishing surveys, numerous Bass larger than 8 pounds were caught, tagged, and released, with a few over 10 pounds! Be on the lookout for tagged Bass. Tags are yellow and located on the back (dorsal) of the fish. If you catch a tagged fish, remember to remove the tag, and call the phone number on it to collect your $100 reward. This November 2023 will mark three years since freshwater fisheries biologist upgraded the seven fish attractor sites on Lake Walk-in-Water. Mossback artificial trees of varying sizes were used to provide “off-shore” structure for fish to congregate and anglers to target. These seven fish attractor sites are located strategically around the lake and are marked with buoys. Each location has a total of 40 trees scattered around the centrally located buoy. Recent electrofishing surveys of the refurbished fish attractors revealed that multiple sportfish (bluegill, specks, and bass) of all sizes as well as forage fish (shad and shiners) are using these areas and their numbers are expected to increase as we move into the colder months. For more information on the location of fish attractors visit the Interactive Fish Attractor Map and the fish attractor page found on our website. Bluegill (bream) and Redear Sunfish (shellcracker) fishing was hot this summer and although it will slow a bit as the weather cools, anglers should still expect a good fall and early winter bite. Use crickets and grass shrimp for Bluegill and red wigglers for shellcracker. Fish them under a cork for some good catches. Black Crappie (specks) fishing should improve as water temperatures drop and they begin to school up in open water and feed heavily prior to their spawn in spring. Try live Missouri minnows drifted over deeper holes in open water. Fishing for specks this year should be excellent as there is plenty of open water to drift, along with the refurbished fish attractors to target. Tight lines!