Florida freshwater fishing is an incredible fishing ground and many trophies are taken from these waters annually. Most people think of saltwater fishing when talking about Florida fishing opportunities. The saltwater fishing is pretty good, but the monsters that lie in inland Florida’s freshwater rivers, lakes, and ponds are incredible, to say the least. To do some planning, check out Florida fishing reports for the following regions. Major Black Bass Lakes, Major Striper Lakes, Major Specks Lakes, Major Bream Lakes, Major Catfish Areas
Florida is a MECA for the species of largemouth bass commonly called largemouth bass. These fish grow quite large in Florida and almost all freshwater areas in Florida have these large fighting fish. I will identify 3 main areas in no particular order. Visit my website for information on other Black Bass lakes and rivers.
The best largemouth bass lakes in Florida are, #1 Lake George. Lake George is located 29 miles from Ocala in central Florida. There are many Lake George fishing reports available. #2 West Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho). Lake Toho is adjacent to the city of Kissimmee in central Florida. #3 Lake Kissimmee. Lake Kissimmee is the largest of the Kissimmee River lakes and is nationally recognized. Just a note: Search Kissimmee Fishing Reports to find fishing reports for the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Also visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife website.
You may not know it, but Florida has some Monster Stripers and the striper hybrid called “sunshine bass” in many of the coarse fishing areas. I will identify 3 main areas in no particular order. #1 apalachicola
Seminole River / Lake. Lake Seminole is located on the Florida-Georgia state line, near the city of Chattahoochee, and flows south to the city of Apalachicola. This freshwater area is where all the state registries for stripers are located. #2 Talquin Lake/Ochlockonee River. Talquin Lake is located just west of Tallahassee. Fish in the 10-20lb range are common up to 30lb. #3 St. Johns River and Blackwater/Yellow Rivers. The St. Johns River is north of Jacksonville. The 8 to 12 pound range is common, but stripers over 20 pounds are rare. The Blackwater/Yellow Rivers are located northeast of Pensacola. Rays from 10 to 20 pounds are common, and rays in the 20 to 30 pound range now occur more frequently.
Florida Black Crappie fishing is exceptional with many 2-3lbs being caught. These fish are commonly called specks. I will also identify 3 top areas in no particular order. Be sure to check out the Florida Fishing Reports for these locals for the best time of year to fish. #1 Talquin Lake. Talquin Lake is located just west of Tallahassee. There is a 10″ length restriction on this lake to control the population of black crappie. Not surprisingly, many crappie in the 2 pound range are caught in this lake. Also the state record 3 pound 13 ounces was caught in Lake Talquin. #2 Orange Lake / Lochloosa Lake. Orange Lake is located between Gainesville and Ocala. Crappie in the 1+ pound range is common here. #3 LakeWeir. Lake Weir is located in southern Marion County, near Ocla. The largest type of fish is caught early in the season in this lake.
Florida has more than 7,700 named lakes and ponds and more than 10,000 miles of streams and rivers, all with good populations of bream. Bream is a term given to the sunfish family which includes: bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), robin sunfish, spotted sunfish (stumpknocker) and warmouth. All freshwater reservoirs have good populations of these critters, but I’ll list three of the most popular areas. #1 Lake Monroe. Lake Monroe is near Sanford. In 2008 there will be good catches of sea bream. #2 Lake Kissimmee. Lake Kissimmee is located east of the city of Lake Wales, in the heart of Osceola County. Lake Kissimmee has always been a reliable old lake for catching bream of good size and quantity. #3 Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho). Lake Toho is located south of the city of Kissimmee. Lake Toho is noted for its largemouth fishing, but it is also a great Bream Lake.
The best catfish holes are found in rivers. Here are three river systems that have good populations of Channel, Flathead, and Blue Cat. Be sure to check your local fishing reports to find out which months are best to fish for catfish in Florida. #1 Apalachicola River. For all catfish species, anglers should try the area from Jim Woodruff Dam south to Owl Creek. #2 Choctawhatchee River. Anglers should concentrate on the Alabama line south of West Bay and around the mouth of Holmes Creek and other tributaries. #3 Escambia River. The best stretch is from the Alabama line to the I-10 bridge.