Largemouth bass are found in almost every body of freshwater in Florida. With more than 7,500 lakes available, anglers sometimes face a tough decision about where to fish. The following list of Top Bass Fishing Areas aims to help anglers find a quality place to catch either good numbers of bass or to catch a trophy bass. For more information on Florida’s freshwater fishing opportunities and fishing forecasts, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC’s) Web site at Fishing Sites/Forecasts, and for basic fishing tips click here. (NOTE: The links to the lakes and rivers below will take you to their current forecast.)

FWC fisheries biologists selected these Florida lakes and rivers (in no specific order) as top black bass fishing destinations for 2006.  See also the Department of Health’s Florida Fish Consumption Advisories for important information about eating fish.

Lake George

Lake George is one of the premier largemouth bass fishing lakes in central Florida. It is the second largest lake in the state (46,000 acres), and is located 18 miles northwest of Deland and 29 miles east of Ocala.

Lake George is one of the many natural lakes that are part of the St. Johns River System. It has extensive vegetation that provides excellent habitat for bass. Wade fishing in eelgrass with plastic worms fished on the surface, and other topwater artificial lures, is productive. Fishing with live golden shiners is an excellent method for catching trophy bass during the spring spawning season.

Hot spots on the lake include Juniper, Salt and Silver Glen spring runs on the western shoreline. In winter and early spring, look for bass to congregate at the jetties on the south end of the lake. Casting deep-diving crankbaits near old dock structures along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island can also be productive.

There are many fish camps on the St. Johns River just north and south of Lake George; however, the only one located on the lake itself is Pine Island Fish Camp. There is one public boat ramp with limited parking on the south end of the lake off Blue Creek Lodge Road, located north of Highway 40. A fishing pier is also located along the east side of the lake at the end of Nine Mile Point Road.

Consumption Advisory:  Relatively low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in the St. Johns River from the SR 415 bridge near Enterprise south, including Lake George.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week).

Stick Marsh/Farm 13 Reservoir

Created in 1987, the Stick Marsh/Farm 13 Reservoir is synonymous with trophy bass fishing. This 6,500-acre reservoir near Fellsmere, west of Vero Beach, became one of the hottest bass lakes in the country during the past decade.  FWC biologists predict excellent largemouth bass fishing during the upcoming 2006 season.  Electrofishing during winter-spring 2005 documented high abundance of quality- to trophy-sized largemouth bass in the reservoir.  A creel survey conducted during January through April 2005 estimated that anglers caught more than 42,000 bass, of which more than 700 were 8 pounds or heavier.   
Anglers can locate bass throughout the reservoir by targeting a variety of habitats including woody stump fields that were flooded when the reservoir was created, submersed canals and hydrilla beds. Hurricanes that came through the area in 2004 drastically reduced levels of hydrilla throughout the reservoir. The lack of submersed vegetation affects where the bass can be located before and during the spawning season. Anglers should keep this in mind when trying to pattern fish.  Plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, soft jerkbaits, and topwater stick baits with propellers can be very effective. Live golden shiners are the top choice for anglers looking to catch a trophy fish.

The recreational harvest regulation for largemouth bass anglers is catch-and-release. There is a two-lane boat ramp, paved parking lot, picnic pavilions and rest rooms at the main access point.  No gasoline, food, ice or other facilities are available at this site, which is located a fair distance  from the main road.  This reservoir is part of the St. Johns Blue Cypress Management Unit; see here for a recreational map of that unit.

West LakeTohopekaliga (Lake Toho)

Lake Tohopekaliga (18,810 acres) is south of the City of Kissimmee, which sits on the lake’s northern shoreline in central Florida.  Lake Toho is well known in the angling community for producing excellent fishing, as well as trophy largemouth bass. The lake received national attention during 2001 when the all-time B.A.S.S. tournament record for total weight was eclipsed by professional angler Dean Rojas with a total catch of 108 pounds. During the four day competition, two 40-pound-plus limits, 21 bass over 10 pounds, and 251 five-fish limits were brought to the scales.  While these professional tournament results are truly impressive, trophy bass are consistently caught from the lake on an annual basis by amateur anglers. 

An extreme drawdown and habitat enhancement project was conducted on the lake during spring 2004 to enhance critical shoreline habitat for fish and wildlife utilization.  As a result of the project, approximately 8.4 million yards of organic material and associated vegetation that was too dense to provide optimum fisheries habitat was removed from 3,506 acres of lake bottom.  In 2005, lake level returned to normal, and native vegetation began re-colonizing the shoreline areas.

Many anglers targeting trophy bass use live golden shiners during early spring.  Live golden shiners are fished inshore near native vegetation or topped-out hydrilla.  Plastic baits (worms, crawfish and lizards) flipped along grass edges, hydrilla beds or bulrush will catch quality-sized bass. Spinnerbaits, soft jerkbaits and chugging baits can also be very productive.  Both Texas-rigged and Carolina-rigged plastic worms and rattling crankbaits are proven lures during warmer months of the year.

North Steer Beach, Little Grassy Island and Goblet’s Cove are popular fishing spots on the lake.  Both Shingle Creek and St. Cloud Canal hold good concentrations of fish when flow is present through these tributaries.  Eight, man-made fish attractors are located in deeper areas of the lake and consistently produce good stringers of bass during the summer.

Two fish camps, one marina, one county park, and five public boat ramps are available to anglers.  Two fishing piers and numerous access points exist for bank fisherman along the north shore.   

For more information about the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes visit www.floridakiss.com

Consumption Advisory:  Relatively low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in Lake Tohopekaliga.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz .of cooked bass per month. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week). 

Lake Kissimmee

Covering roughly 35,000 acres, Lake Kissimmee is the largest of five main water bodies on the famous Kissimmee River in central Florida.  Lake Kissimmee is nationally renowned for consistently producing high quality fishing.  The lake underwent an extreme drawdown and habitat enhancement activities in 1996, whereby nearly 24 miles of shoreline were enhanced through removal of accumulated organic sediment and associated vegetation that was too dense to provide optimum fisheries habitat.  Subsequently, more beneficial native vegetation became established in firm, sandy enhanced areas following lake refill, which provides spawning and nursery habitat for fish.  Although fishing success temporarily declined for a short period after the enhancement project, anglers are once again enjoying good catch rates of largemouth bass.  Results of angler surveys conducted during spring 2005 indicated that bass anglers had excellent success, with a catch rate of 0.64 fish/hour. 

Strong winds associated with hurricane activity during fall 2004 cleared vegetation from many areas of the lake, which offered anglers the opportunity to fish areas that had been inaccessible prior to the storms.  Some areas of Lake Kissimmee that were impacted by the winds include the shoreline between the C-37 Canal and the Pig Trail, Lemon Point and Grassy Island.

Native grasses, bulrush, hydrilla and lily pads at Philadelphia Point, North Cove and Brahma Island provide anglers with cover to flip plastic baits or slow-troll live golden shiners for spawning bass during the winter and spring.  Rattling crankbaits, soft jerkbaits and Texas- or Carolina-rigged plastic worms are productive during summer and fall when fished in open-water or along edges of vegetation.  Fly fishermen have access to some outstanding areas for wade fishing, and consistently catch bass on popping bugs during the spring and summer.

Three fish camps, one state park and two public boat ramps are available to anglers.

For more information about the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes visit www.floridakiss.com

Consumption Advisory:  Relatively low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in Lake Kissimmee. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass per month. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week).

Rodman Reservoir  

Rodman Reservoir, east of Gainesville and south of Palatka, covers 9,500 acres of prime largemouth bass habitat. Since its creation in 1968, Rodman Reservoir has been known for trophy largemouth bass.  Much of the fishery’s success is attributed to abundant habitat in the form of stumps and submersed aquatic vegetation, and periodic drawdowns occurring every three years.  Although drawdowns on Rodman are used primarily to control invasive aquatic vegetation, biologists have demonstrated a relationship between strong largemouth bass year-class production and reservoir drawdowns.  These year classes provide pulses to the fishery on three-year intervals that provide the majority of the angler catch. 

Generally, largemouth bass on Rodman Reservoir are most active during cooler months. Anglers targeting trophy largemouth bass use live golden shiners, either floated under a cork or free-lined.  Most big bass are caught in the pool area, known as the “stump fields,” along the river channel.  However, many trophy bass come from the area between Cypress Bayou and Kenwood Landing. Successful anglers also use artificial baits, such as deep-diving and lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits and soft plastics.

Boat ramps can be found near the town of Interlachen off C.R. 315 in Orange Springs and Kenwood.  Additional boat ramps are located at the Rodman Recreational Area off Hwy 19 and at Eureka off C.R. 316.

Consumption Advisory:  Very low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in Rodman Reservoir.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to eight 6 oz. meals per month (or two per Week).
 

Lake Tarpon

Lake Tarpon is a 2,500-acre lake near Tampa/St. Petersburg in Pinellas County. This lake has consistently produced high quality largemouth bass fishing for years. Most fish range from 12 to 16 inches long; however, quality and trophy fish are also present in good numbers. Biologists have observed anglers catching upwards of 20 fish, including an occasional 10-pounder.

Anglers are most successful flipping or pitching plastic worms along canal and bulrush edges. Offshore bass fishing is productive for anglers who fish around ledges, humps, coontail, and eelgrass beds. Popular lures offshore include shad-imitating jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and topwater baits. Fishing with live, wild shiners and live shad is also effective.

There are two public boat ramps within county parks. Anderson Park boat ramp is on the west shore, off U.S. 19. Chestnut Park boat ramp is on the east side of the lake, off C.R. 611. Some bank access is available in both parks. Boardwalks and piers serve as excellent fishing locations. 

Consumption Advisory:  Very low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in Lake Tarpon.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to eight 6 oz. meals per month (or two per Week).

Lake Weohyakapka (Lake Walk-in-Water)

Lake Weohyakapka, commonly known as Lake Walk–in-Water, is a 7,500-acre water body.  The lake is located south of Orlando and east of Lake Wales, and it is just south of S.R. 60.  Lake Walk-in-Water has a national reputation as an outstanding spot to catch largemouth bass. Anglers frequently catch up to 25 bass a day with several ranging from four to eight pounds. The lake also produces many trophy bass exceeding 10 pounds each year. A 15- to 24-inch protected (no harvest) slot limit regulation and a three-bass daily bag limit are in place to help maintain quality bass fishing.  Anglers may keep three bass per day, either under or over the protected slot range, of which only one bass greater than or equal to 24 inches is allowed.

Typically, the best technique to catch trophy bass is to drift live wild shiners over hydrilla weed beds in the northern half of the lake.  Soft jerkbaits, lipless rattling crankbaits, and plastic worms also produce bass in areas of offshore hydrilla. 

Pitching live wild shiners and flipping soft plastic baits in the bulrush (“buggy whips” or “round rush”) and cattails in the northern and eastern areas can be successful.  Spinnerbaits should also produce bass in the bulrush and cattail stands.  Remaining hydrilla beds in the cove south of the boat landing will hold good numbers of fish as well. 

Topwater lures are also productive, particularly chuggers or the walk-the-dog types of baits.  Although topwater baits catch fish throughout the year, summer months offer the best action when schools of bass roam deep-water areas.  Bass should become less concentrated on the shoreline as off shore hydrilla beds grow back through the summer. 

A public ramp is located on Boat Landing Road, which runs east off of Walk-in-the-Water Road; just a few miles south of S.R. highway 60. There is little access for bank fishing on the lake.

Consumption Advisory:  Relatively low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in Lake Walk-in-Water.   Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass per month. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week). 

Lake Istokpoga

Largemouth bass anglers who fish the Kissimmee Chain of lakes to the north and Lake Okeechobee to the south often overlook 28,000-acre Lake Istokpoga. Situated in Highlands County between U.S. 27 and U.S. 98 south of Sebring, Istokpoga is the fifth largest natural lake in Florida and has an average depth of only six feet.  During angler surveys conducted from October 2004 through May 2005, anglers caught 79,927 bass, of which almost 44,000 were 2 pounds or heavier, and 1,291 bass were over 8 pounds.

Although bass fishing is excellent throughout the year, April and October are the best months for anglers looking for cooler weather and lots of bass.  From January through April, bass can be found spawning in bulrush, cattail, and other vegetation over sandy lake bottom in areas that were enhanced during the 2001 drawdown.  Spawning bass can also be found around the lake’s two islands - Big Island and Bumblebee Island.  Flipping dark-colored, soft plastics in bulrush patches and in pockets of submerged vegetation can be productive during this time of year.  Red shad and Junebug seem to be the most successful colors when fishing with soft plastics.

In spring and summer, topwater lures and jerkbaits worked over the top of hydrilla and pondweed in the south half of the lake are often successful. Weedless spoons tipped with grub tails and spinnerbaits fished over pondweed south of Bumblebee Island are deadly on bass during early morning. Rattling lures (silver, gold, and “Tennessee shad” are excellent colors) can also be effective during summer and fall as baitfish school in open water areas along the north end of the lake.  A live shiner fished a few feet under a popping cork is the most reliable bait for catching trophy bass.

Lake Istokpoga has a 15- to 24-inch protected (no-harvest) slot limit for bass with a three fish daily bag limit, of which only one bass may be 24 inches or longer. All residents between 16 and 65 years of age and all non-residents are required to have a fishing license.

Several fish camps and four public boat ramps provide access to the lake. For more information about lodging and other amenities around Lake Istokpoga, contact the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce at (863) 385-8448.

Consumption Advisory:  Relatively low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur  in Lake Istokpoga. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week).

Deer Point Lake
Deer Point Lake is a popular largemouth bass fishing destination in Florida’s panhandle area near Panama City. This 5,000-acre impoundment is located 7 miles north of Panama City off US 231 and SR 77 at Southport. Deer Point Lake is fed by natural freshwater streams and supplies more than 760 million gallons of fresh water daily to Panama City and the surrounding areas.

Although largemouth bass fishing typically slows down during the winter months in Deer Point Lake, it picks up again in mid-February and March, and becomes red hot in April and May. Through mid-February 2006, a drawdown of the lake will move largemouth bass out from shoreline habitats, concentrating them in deeper water. This is an excellent time for some wintertime largemouth bass action. Catches of 20 bass during a morning fishing trip can be common during the drawdown.

Anglers unfamiliar with Deer Point Lake should try fishing for largemouth bass in the old creek channels of Bear, Cedar, and Econfina creeks with plastic worms, diving crankbaits or rattletraps. Bayou George and the flats area at the confluence of Bayou George and Deer Point Lake are also popular largemouth spots. Also, try targeting docks and boathouses along the creek channels and at the mouth of Bayou George. Anglers should exercise extreme caution during boat operation due to the tremendous amount of flooded cypress stumps and snags found in the lake.

The lake can be accessed by taking US 231 north to Panama City (6 miles) to C2321 west (1.5 miles) and turn right on C2311 for (3.5 miles): the ramp is on the left. There are two fish camps located on the Lake:

Cherokee Landing (on County Road 2301 at the bridge crossing) 10035 County Road
Youngstown, FL 32466 (850) 722-4902

Tharp’s Camp (off Resota Beach Road) 4405 Huckleberry Lane
Panama City, FL 32409 (850) 265-2330

Consumption Advisory:  Elevated mercury levels have been found to occur in largemouth bas in Deerpoint Lake.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and not consume any bass from Deerpoint lake.  All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to one 6 oz. meal per month (or one per month).

Suwanee River
The Suwannee River is a pristine, black-water stream which flows 213 miles within Florida from the swamp-like region at the Georgia border to salt-marsh tidal creeks at the Gulf of Mexico. Rocky bluffs and shoal areas occur in the upper reaches of the river.  Floodplain cypress tree-hardwood swamp borders, lined with lily pads, are found through the middle reaches of the Suwannee River. The Santa Fe River, a major tributary of the Suwannee, is influenced by the input of many natural springs, which makes the water clearer, yet more productive for submersed vegetation and invertebrate fish food organisms.

Although the Suwannee River is not known for trophy largemouth bass, good numbers of bass can be expected, and quality-sized largemouth bass are frequently caught by anglers. The smaller, but feisty, Suwannee bass species also occurs throughout much of the river system.  Suwannee bass over 16 inches (2 pounds) can be caught by anglers in the Santa Fe River, which qualify as a “Big Catch” in FWC’s Big Catch Angler Recognition Program.

Crawfish are the main food item for bass throughout the entire river system, so anglers should fish accordingly. Plastic worms, lizards, and crawfish; jigs with orange skirts and pork rinds; and metallic crankbaits are all standard lures that catch fish in the river. While the scenery may change every 20 or 30 miles, the key to catching bass is the same. Anglers should always look for deep structure, or shallow structure that has deep water nearby. Suwannee bass, which are more common in the Santa Fe River, prefer moderate to fast current flowing around cypress trees.  When water levels are low, the mid-river is a better bet for catching Suwannee bass, particularly in vegetated areas or other structure. 

The lower Suwannee River moves more slowly, and bass utilize shoreline cover such as fallen trees and cypress trees on the outer bends of the river. Plastic baits, rigged weedless, can also catch bass on the inside shallow banks where lily pads are present.  Live shiners can be fished into brush piles from upstream areas by letting them float downstream. Small bass will hit a fly or a small floater-diver fished along the bank in the Suwannee.

The estuary is also productive. During the fall when shrimp migrate into in the river, fishing can be outstanding. Tidal creeks provide a unique fishing experience.

Boat ramps are located along the entire river, but fish camps are few and far between.

Consumption Advisory:  Relatively low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur  in  the Suwannee River drainage, including the Suwannee, Santa Fe, Withlachoochee, and Alapaha Rivers. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week)

Everglades Water Conservation Areas 2 and 3

The Everglades Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) are south Florida marshlands intersected with over 200 miles of canals. WCA-2 has 210 square miles of marsh, and WCA-3 covers approximately 915 square miles of marsh. Originally designed for flood control and water supply, the area provides some of the best largemouth bass fishing in the country.

Over 25 public boat ramps provide access to the different segments of canals surrounding and intersecting the WCAs.  The L-67A Canal, L-35B Canal, and Alligator Alley Canal (along Highway I-75) are three of the most popular canals in the area for fishing.

The best fishing usually occurs in the spring when dropping water levels concentrate fish in the canals. April is the peak month when angler catch rates are as high as 4.1 bass per hour in the L-67A Canal.  Last year, a peak season creel survey recorded an average catch rate of 2.01 bass per hour in the L-67A Canal, with more than 20% of those fish 14 inches or longer.  Recently, anglers have enjoyed catching an average of 2.44 bass per hour, and 0.42 bass 14 inches or larger per hour, in the L-35B and L-38E canals.

Most anglers fish in the canals rather than in the marsh. Anglers work canal edges with plastic worms, soft jerkbaits, and minnow imitations. Flipping the vegetation is also a popular technique. During high water, anglers will often enter the marsh areas where bass can be found in the open slough areas. The L-67A and Alligator Alley canals have access trails off of them that are specifically cut to provide boats access to adjacent marsh areas.

The L-67A Canal has access at the north end at Everglades Holiday Park, off U.S. 27, where camping and boat rentals are available. At the south end, it can be accessed via a FWC boat ramp at the S-333 water control structure off Tamiami Trail (S.R. 41). The L-67C Canal may also be accessed from a FWC boat ramp and parking area adjacent to this site.  The L-35B Canal access is at Sawgrass Recreation Area, off of U.S. 27, which has boat ramps and boat rentals. Ample access to the Alligator Alley Canal is available via a string of recreation areas and boat ramps along Highway I-75.

A special bass fishing regulation is in affect in south Florida, including the Everglades Conservation Areas, where only one bass of the five-bass daily bag limit may be 14 inches or longer. This gives anglers the opportunity to harvest smaller bass, but still prevents over-harvest of fish over 14 inches in total length.

FWC publishes a brochure specific to this area which provides additional information.  It is available from the regional office (561-625-5122) or online (http://floridafisheries.com/pdf/ewca.pdf). 

Consumption advisory: Mercury health advisories correspond to current length limits established for largemouth bass caught in the Water Conservation Areas with recommendations made based on bass length.  For largemouth bass less than 14 inches, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time.  All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week).  No one should consume largemouth bass exceeding 14 inches in length. 

Special recommendations have been made for waters immediately adjacent to Alligator Alley (Interstate-75), which runs through Water Conservation Area 3.  In the borrow canals immediately north and south of Alligator Alley, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and consume no largemouth bass.  All others should limit consumption of bass less than 14 inches to one 6 oz. meal of cooked bass in a month’s time.  No largemouth bass exceeding14 inches in length should be consumed.  FWC is monitoring largemouth bass from the canals near Alligator Alley and the rest of Water Conservation Areas 2 and 3 to determine why concentrations were elevated in waters along Alligator Alley. 

Crescent Lake

This 15,725-acre lake borders the east side of Crescent City on the Putnam/Flagler county line. Crescent Lake flows into the St. Johns River via Dunns Creek on its north end. Past electrofishing samples for largemouth bass revealed one of the highest catch rates recorded for areas on the St. John’s River. Largemouth bass up to 20 inches long were well represented in the sample and good numbers of larger fish (8 pounds or larger) were collected.

Fall and early winter fishing tends to be best near deep-water structures such as dock pilings. Preferred artificial baits include plastic worms, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Live golden shiners are always a popular bait.

Several fish camps provide access to the lake on the western and southern shorelines. A public boat ramp is located near downtown Crescent City one block east of U. S. 17 and another is located on the northeast shore off S.R. 20/100. Bank access is limited to these facilities.

Consumption advisory:  Very low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in Crescent Lake.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should follow DOH guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month’s time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to eight 6 oz. meals per month (or two per Week).

Tenoroc Fish Management Area Lakes

The 7,300-acre Tenoroc Fish Management Area near Lakeland provides a special opportunity to bass fish in Florida’s famous phosphate pits.  These 7- to 227-acre lakes were created years ago by draglines during phosphate surface mining operations.  As a result, lake bottoms have irregular contours with depths ranging to 35 feet.   

The bass fishing experience in these phosphate pits can rival any natural lake when the bass are biting well.  Bass fishing is best from mid-November through March.  Lake 2, Lake 3, Lake 4, Lake 5, Lake G, Shop Lake and Hydrilla Lake offer some of the best bass fishing opportunities on the property. 

Probing deeper waters with chrome-colored rattling lures and chartreuse (firetiger-color) diving crankbaits is a good bet in phosphate pits.  Plastic worms are often the best all around lure for fishing in these lakes.  Red shad and Junebug are good colors.  Anglers that can find submersed islands or sandbars off points will find concentrations of bass.  During the spring, flipping worms or soft plastic baits in thick brush will produce largemouth bass. 

Tenoroc lakes are managed with a variety of catch-and-release harvest regulations; including total catch and release (no harvest) and 15-inch maximum size limits, in which anglers must immediately release all bass larger than 15 inches in total length. 

Tenoroc is located just two miles northeast of Lakeland on Highway 659, which can be accessed from Highway 33 just south of Intestate I-4.  Call the Tenoroc Headquarters at (863) 499-2422 for more information or to make reservations, because these lakes are only open to the public four days a week.  All anglers must check in and out at the Tenoroc Fish Management Area Headquarters, deposit their valid fishing license, and pay $3 for a daily fishing permit.

Consumption Advisory:  Consume fish at your own risk.  No testing of fish has been done to date in Tenoroc water bodies. 

Mosaic Fish Management Area

A bass fishing trip on the 1,000-acre Mosaic Fish Management Area in southwest Florida is definitely worth planning.  There are 12 phosphate pits (i.e., lakes created by surface mining) that range in size from 10 to 200 acres, and have depths that range down to 30 feet.  This fish management area is not very well known, because it just recently opened.  As a result, the fishing pressure is low and the bass fishing can turn on at a moments notice.  These lakes offer a special opportunity to fish Florida’s famous phosphate pit bass fisheries.

Topwater baits around dawn and dusk, white or chartreuse spinnerbaits, plastic worms, and chrome or firetiger (chartreuse) colored crankbaits can all be successful.  Fishing shoreline brush and vegetation works well in the spring.  Anglers that can find submersed islands or sandbars off points will find concentrations of bass, particularly during warmer months of the year.

Lake Coulter, Lake SP11, and Lake LP2 West have been the “hot spots” for the past year, but the other lakes produce bass as well.

Mosaic lakes are managed with a variety of catch-and-release harvest regulations; including total catch and release (no harvest) and 15-inch maximum size limits, in which anglers must immediately release all bass larger than 15 inches in total length.

Mosaic Fish Management Area is located near Ft. Meade in Polk County.  The fish management area is only open to public fishing four days a week from Friday through Monday.  No reservations can be made, so lake permits are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Please call (863) 499-2421 ext.104 for more information about fishing at Mosaic Fish Management Area.

Consumption Advisory:  Consume fish at your own risk.  No testing of fish has been done to date in Mosaic water bodies. 

NOTE:  Many of Florida’s best black bass fisheries produce consistently year after year.  Notably missing for 2006, however, is 450,000-acre Lake Okeechobee.  Recently revered by largemouth bass and crappie anglers nationwide, the “Big O” is currently imperiled by environmental consequences following record setting Hurricane seasons in 2004 and 2005 when devastating storm winds repeatedly wreaked havoc on Okeechobee’s aquatic plant communities.   FWC biologists continue to assist the South Florida Water Management District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and others in restoring the lake and its fishery to its glory days.  Contact local marinas and tackle stores for current conditions.

NOTE: For more information about these lakes, contact the following FWC biologists: 

Lake George and Crescent Lake – Jay Holder (386) 985-7827
Lakes Weohyakapka and Tarpon – Tom Champeau (863) 648-3202
Farm 13/Stick Marsh Reservoir – Bob Eisenhauer (407) 752-3115
Rodman Reservoir – Eric Nagid  (352) 392-9617
Lake Istokpoga – Beacham Furse (863) 462-5190
West Lake Tohopekaliga and Lake Kissimmee – Kevin McDaniel  (407) 846-5300
Everglades Water Conservation Areas 2 and 3 – Barron Moody (561) 625-5122
Deer Point Lake – Chris Paxton (850) 265-3676
Suwannee River – Dan Dorosheff (850) 265-3676
Tenoroc and Mosaic Fish Management Areas – Eric Johnson (863) 499-2421 ext 104

GO FISHING!