Florida Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Florida.
Lake Apopka
Crescent Lake
Lake George
Lake Istokpoga
Lake Kissimmee
Lake Okeechobee
Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho)
More Florida lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Crescent LakePutnam & Flagler Counties · 15,960 acres
Crescent Lake
A large natural lake in northeast Florida beside Crescent City, connected to the St. Johns River by Dunns Creek at its north end. It is known for Florida largemouth bass, speckled perch and bream.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Fish docks in deeper water along the western shore with artificials or live shiners, and deadfalls on the east shore and around Bear Island.
Crappie
Speckled perch bite best as water cools. Drift or troll minnows or jigs, especially on the south end.
Bluegill
Fish crickets and worms around shoreline vegetation and docks in spring and summer.
Redear Sunfish
Shellcrackers bed in spring around the full moons. Fish worms on the bottom near beds.
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Crescent Lake Boat RampFreePutnam County ramp at 1 Central Avenue, Crescent City. FreeDirections ↗
- Margary Neal Nelson Sunrise Park and Boat RampFreeTwo-lane ramp in Crescent City. FreeDirections ↗
- Shell Bluff Public Boat RampFreeFlagler County single-lane ramp on the east side. FreeDirections ↗
- Bull Creek Campground & Boat RampFreeFlagler County two-lane ramp and campground off Dead Lake and Bull Creek. FreeDirections ↗
- Crescent Fish CampMarinaFish camp in Crescent City with ramp, slips, fuel and baitDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Crescent Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Crescent Fish CampNearbyCrescent CityDirections ↗
Local tips
- Crappie fishing picks up as the water cools in late fall and winter.
- The lake is wide and shallow, so a south or north wind can kick up a chop fast.
- FWC has been replanting native bulrush in 1 to 3 feet of water; these new beds are good bass cover.
Lake ApopkaOrange & Lake Counties · 30,800 acres
Lake Apopka
Florida's fourth-largest lake, about 15 miles northwest of Orlando between Apopka and Winter Garden. Once a famous bass lake, it was badly polluted by farm runoff and is now recovering under a long-running restoration effort.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Fish vegetation edges and canals. Plastic worms, spinnerbaits and frogs; spring spawn is the peak.
Black Crappie
Cooler months. Live minnows or small jigs around cover and drop-offs.
Bluegill
Late spring and summer around shoreline plants. Crickets or worms.
Redear Sunfish
Bedding fish in spring and early summer. Worms fished on the bottom.
Boat launches
3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Magnolia ParkFreeOrange County park on the east shore. Free ramp, camping, Lake Apopka Loop Trail trailheadDirections ↗
- Lakeview Park Public Boat RampFreeCity of Winter Garden. Free single-lane ramp on the south shoreDirections ↗
- Lake Apopka West Shore Boat RampFreeSmall free ramp near Montverde (Lake County)Directions ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Apopka are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Lake Apopka ↗Local tips
- The lake is shallow and gets rough quickly when afternoon wind picks up, so fish early.
- Check Florida fish consumption advisories before keeping fish from this lake.
- Alligators are common; keep hands and stringers out of the water.
Lake IstokpogaHighlands County · 27,692 acres
Lake Istokpoga
A large, shallow natural lake in Highlands County between Sebring, Lake Placid and Lorida. It is known for one of the highest largemouth bass catch rates in Florida and a steady run of trophy bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Fish bulrush lines and spatterdock with plastic worms and lizards. Big fish come on live wild shiners in late fall and winter.
Black Crappie
Drift open water in winter, especially the northeast and southwest corners. Minnows under a cork or small jigs.
Bluegill
Shallow spawning beds in spring and summer. Worms or crickets around vegetation.
Redear Sunfish
Spawning beds in spring. Worms fished on the bottom near grass edges.
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Istokpoga ParkPublicHighlands County park, 720 Istokpoga Park Access Rd off US 98. Ramp and dockDirections ↗
- Lake Istokpoga ramp (Cow House Rd)PublicHighlands County ramp at 2011 Lake Blvd. Wade fishing possible hereDirections ↗
- Windy PointPublicHighlands County ramp at 65 Windy Point Rd, Lake Placid. Dock and fishing pondDirections ↗
- Boggy BranchPublicHighlands County ramp at 623 Lakesedge Dr, Lake PlacidDirections ↗
- Henderson's Fish CampMarinaPrivate fish camp on the lake, Lake Placid. (863) 465-2101Directions ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Istokpoga are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Trails End Fishing ResortNearby4232 Trails End Rd, LoridaDirections ↗
Local tips
- The lake averages only about 4 ft deep, so it gets rough fast in wind. Watch the forecast.
- Bass fishing improves as the water cools; late fall into early spring is prime time for big fish on shiners.
- When the gates are open, the Istokpoga Canal off CR 621 offers bank fishing for bass.
Lake KissimmeeOsceola & Polk Counties · 34,948 acres
Lake Kissimmee
Lake Kissimmee is the largest lake in the Kissimmee Chain, about 40 miles south of Orlando. It is known for trophy largemouth bass, with hundreds of bass over 8 pounds logged in the chain.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Hydrilla around Brahma and Grassy islands and Lemon Point holds bass.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Bluegill
Crickets or red wigglers near bottom in lily pads work well.
Redear Sunfish
Shellcracker. Beds in spring and deep shell bars in summer. Red worms on the bottom.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Lake Kissimmee State Park Boat RampFeeState park ramp near Lake Wales; launch feeDirections ↗
- Joe Overstreet's LandingFreePublic ramp on the east shore near Kenansville, freeDirections ↗
- Coleman Landing at Shady OaksFeeOutboard, airboat and kayak ramps near Lake Wales; $5Directions ↗
- Grape Hammock Fish CampMarinaFish camp ramp at 1400 Grape Hammock Rd, Lake WalesDirections ↗
- Camp MackMarinaLodge and marina ramp at 14900 Camp Mack Rd, Lake WalesDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Florida FWC or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Kissimmee are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Grape Hammock Fish CampNearby1400 Grape Hammock Rd, Lake Wales, FL(863) 692-1500Directions ↗
- Camp Mack ↗Nearby14900 Camp Mack Rd, Lake Wales, FL(863) 696-1108Directions ↗
Local tips
- In summer, fish early and late with topwaters, flukes, and lipless crankbaits when bass bust bait.
- Try North Cove and the Pig Trail for bass in the grass.
- For panfish, work the pads and bulrush near Overstreet Landing and Philadelphia Point.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho)Osceola County · 18,810 acres
Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho)
A large, shallow natural lake on the south side of Kissimmee in Osceola County, on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. It is one of Florida's best-known trophy largemouth bass lakes and a regular stop for national bass tournaments.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Look for moving water at the mouth of Shingle Creek, the St. Cloud Canal and Partin's Ditch. Otherwise fish bulrush, pondweed and hydrilla edges with golden shiners, worms and spinnerbaits.
Crappie
Drift live minnows in open water near Shingle Creek, Little Grassy Island and Goblets Cove as the weather cools.
Bluegill
Fish grass edges and beds in spring and early summer with crickets or worms.
Redear Sunfish
Bed fish in spring around full moons; worms fished on the bottom near grass work well.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Kissimmee Lakefront Park / Big Toho MarinaPublicCity of Kissimmee. Large multi-lane ramp on the north shore with marina and baitDirections ↗
- Southport ParkPublicOsceola County ramp on the south end at the South Port Canal. Parking and restroomsDirections ↗
- Whaley's LandingPublicOsceola County public ramp, 3700 Lake Tohopekaliga Rd, St. CloudDirections ↗
- Granada Public Boat RampPublicPublic ramp on the west shore, KissimmeeDirections ↗
- Richardson's Fish CampFeePrivate fish camp ramp in Kissimmee, small launch feeDirections ↗
- Lake Toho ResortFeePrivate resort ramp near St. Cloud, small launch feeDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho) are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Big Toho MarinaNearbyKissimmee Lakefront Park, KissimmeeDirections ↗
- Lake Line Bait HouseNearbyKissimmeeDirections ↗
- Richardson's Fish CampNearbyKissimmeeDirections ↗
Local tips
- After heavy rain, bass stack up where water flows in at Shingle Creek, the St. Cloud Canal and Partin's Ditch.
- FWC fish attractors are marked on the Lake Toho Fish Attractor Map; they are a good bet for crappie and bass.
- The lake is wide and shallow, so afternoon wind can build a steep chop fast. Watch the forecast and stay alert for alligators near shore.