Florida is a paradise for bass fishing enthusiasts, with a wide variety of lakes, rivers, canals, and swamps that offer exceptional fishing opportunities.
Whether you are an experienced or a beginner angler, Florida has something for everyone. Whether you prefer fishing in freshwater or saltwater, Florida has it all. With its warm climate, diverse ecosystem, and abundant fish populations,
So where is the best bass fishing in Florida? Some of the best spots include:
- Lake Okeechobee
- Johns River
- Lake Kissimmee
- Rodman Reservoir
- Lake Tohopekaliga
- Lake Seminole
- Lake George
- Lake Talquin
- Lake Istokpoga
- Lake Tarpon
- Lake Monroe
- Lake Harris
- Lake Eustis
- Lake Griffin
- Lake Walk-in-Water
- Lake Marion
- Lake Trafford
- Lake Miccosukee
- Lake Santa
- Lake Apopka
These lakes are known for their excellent fishing opportunities throughout the year. Some fishing lakes are known for their abundant populations of largemouth bass.
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Top Bass Fishing Locations in Florida
Here is some more detail about each lake or waterway.
- Lake Okeechobee
One of the most popular bass fishing destinations in Florida is Lake Okeechobee. It is the largest freshwater lake in Florida and covers over 730 square miles, although relatively shallow at around nine feet.
The lake is known for its abundance of largemouth bass, which can be caught year-round. Many anglers come to Lake Okeechobee to catch trophy-sized bass, with bass around 7 to 10 pound being caught and some weighing over 10 pounds.
Some of the best fishing times at the lake is around March, April, May and June, depending on specific conditions.
- Johns River
This is a great location for anglers looking to catch a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass.
The St. Johns River is the longest river in Florida and is home to some of the best bass fishing in the state. The river is known for its large bass population, with many weighing over 5 pounds. Anglers can fish the river year-round, but the best time to catch bass is late summer to early spring.
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- Lake Kissimmee
This lake is known for its trophy bass fishing, with many large fish caught each year.
Lake Kissimmee is around 35,000-acre lake located in central Florida. The lake is known for its large bass population and is a popular destination for anglers looking to catch trophy-sized fish.
The best time to fish for bass on Lake Kissimmee is late spring /early summer during when the fish are more active.
- Rodman Reservoir
A 9,500-acre lake, Rodman Reservoir is located in north-central Florida. Another good fishing spot, the lake is known for its large bass population, with many fish over 10 pounds caught each year.
Anglers can fish the lake year-round, but the best time to catch bass is around March.
- Lake Tohopekaliga
Also known as “Lake Toho, or West Lake” this lake is known for its trophy bass fishing and is a common tournament location.
Located in central Florida, the lake is 22,700 acres and is one of the most productive bass fisheries in the state and is around 10 feet to 14 feet deep.
The lake has produced numerous bass weighing over 10 pounds, with the current record standing at over 17 pounds. This has led to the lake being a popular destination for professional bass tournaments, including the Bassmaster Classic.
In addition to bass, Lake Toho also has a variety of other fish species, including crappie, bluegill, and catfish. The lake is easily accessible, with boat ramps and fishing piers located around its shoreline. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, Lake Tohopekaliga is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to catch big bass in Florida.
- Lake Seminole
Lake Seminole is another great fishing destination located on the border of Georgia and Florida. The lake is known for its bass fishing, with largemouth bass being the primary targets for anglers.
One of the unique features of Lake Seminole is the abundance of underwater vegetation. These provide ample cover for bass and other fish, and anglers often use techniques like flipping and pitching jigs or soft plastics to catch fish in these areas. Topwater lures are also effective early in the morning and late in the evening.
In addition to bass fishing, Lake Seminole is a good spot for other types of fishing as well. Anglers can fish for crappie around brush piles and submerged trees, while catfish and bream can be caught using live bait or worms.
- Lake George
Lake George is a large lake located in north-central Florida and is known for its excellent bass fishing. The lake is also home to other fish species, including catfish, crappie, and bluegill, making it a versatile fishing spot.
Overall, Lake George provides good fishing for anyone looking to catch bass or other fish in a scenic setting. The lake is easily accessible, with several boat ramps and fishing pier available for public use.
- Lake Talquin
This lake is recognized for catching trophy bass and is home to other fish species, including white bass, black bass, striped bass, black crappie, bluegill, bream, pickerel (“jack”), gar, catfish, etc.
Lake Talquin is a reservoir located in Florida and anglers can expect to catch fish ranging from two to ten pounds.
Features of Lake Talquin is its structure, which includes numerous stumps, logs, and brush piles that provide excellent cover for fish.
- Lake Istokpoga
Located in south-central Florida, Lake Istokpoga is around 27,000-acres, the lake offers a good chance of catching a 10-pounder bass and has a high catch rate for fishing in the Florida area.
In addition to bass, Lake Istokpoga is also home to a variety of other fish species, including crappie, bluegill, and catfish. Anglers can fish for these species using a variety of techniques, such as using live bait, soft plastics, hard bodied lures and jigs.
For a truly memorable fishing experience, Lake Istokpoga is unique in its natural beauty, with lush vegetation and scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
- Lake Tarpon
Another lake is known for its big bass and is a popular destination for keen anglers.
Located near Tampa, Lake Tarpon provides excellent habitat for largemouth bass, which can be caught year-round. Anglers can expect to catch bass weighing up to 10 pounds or more.
What sets Lake Tarpon apart is its scenic beauty, with miles of shoreline surrounded by cypress trees and Spanish moss. The lake also provides a variety of recreational opportunities, including boating, kayaking, and bird watching.
Whether you are a seasoned angler or a beginner, Lake Tarpon offers a great fishing experience with a stunning natural backdrop.
- Lake Monroe
Lake Monroe, located in Florida’s Seminole County, is a great spot for fishing enthusiasts. The lake offers excellent largemouth bass fishing. The lake also provides habitat for other species, including sunfish, channel catfish and bluegill.
One of the unique features of Lake Monroe is its size, with approximately 9,000 acres of water to explore.
- Lake Harris
This lake is a big lake and is another good option for reeling in a big bass.
Lake Harris, located in Lake County, Florida, is a top spot for the bass fishing fan. The lake is known for its excellent largemouth bass fishing, with anglers reporting catches of fish weighing up to 10 pounds or more. The chain of lake also produces the odd 12 to 13 pound range bass as well. That’s fishing!
The lake is also home to other fish species, including crappie, bluegill, and catfish, making it a versatile fishing spot. Anglers can use a variety of techniques to catch fish on Lake Harris, such as using live bait, jigs, or topwater lures. Lake Harris offers a great fishing experience in a beautiful natural setting.
- Lake Eustis
Lake Eustis is known for its large bass and is another top spot to wet a line. Located near Lake Harris, in Lake Eustis is known for its excellent largemouth bass fishing.
The lake provides excellent land based angling, good habitat for bass, with plenty of structure, including weed beds, submerged logs, and stumps, that provide cover for the fish.
- Lake Griffin
This lake is known for its big crappie and for huge size trophy bass.
Located in Central Florida, Lake Griffin is a popular place for anglers of all levels. The lake is known for its excellent bass fishing, with anglers reporting catches of fish weighing up to 10 pounds or more, even reports of 14 pound bass! The lake also provides habitat for other fish species, including catfish, crappie, and bluegill, making it a versatile fishing spot.
One of the unique features of Lake Griffin is its size, with a large body of water to explore. The lake also provides a variety of fishing opportunities, including shoreline fishing, boat fishing, and kayak fishing. Anglers can use a variety of techniques to catch fish on Lake Griffin, such as using live bait, jigs, or topwater lures.
In addition to fishing, Lake Griffin is a great destination for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and birdwatching.
Lake Griffin offers a great angling in a beautiful natural setting, making it a must-visit spot for fisherman and fisher ladies in Florida.
- Lake Walk-in-Water
Lake Walk-in-Water, also known as Lake Weohyakapka, is known for its excellent largemouth bass fishing, with fish up to 10 pounds. Anglers also catch crappie, bluegill, and catfish, making it a resourceful fishing spot.
What sets Lake Walk-in-Water apart is its natural beauty, with miles of undeveloped shoreline surrounded by cypress trees and sawgrass. The lake also provides a variety of fishing opportunities, including shoreline fishing, boat fishing, and kayak fishing.
Anglers can use a variety of techniques to catch fish on Lake Walk-in-Water, such as using live bait with float fishing, soft plastics, jigs, and topwater lures. Overall, Lake Walk-in-Water offers a great fishing experience in a beautiful natural setting, making it a good spot for anglers.
- Lake Marion
Located in Central Florida, Lake Marion is also a bass tournament location. The lake also provides habitat for other fish species, including largemouth bass, bream, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.
Overall, Lake Marion offers a great fishing experience and plenty of water to explore.t has a stunning natural beauty, making it another place on the fishing hot spot list. If you want to take a break from wetting the line, Lake Marion also has a golf resort close by.
- Lake Trafford
One of the unique features of Lake Trafford is its rich history for fishing. Today, the lake offers anglers a chance to catch a range of fish species such as bass, redear sunfish crappie, brown bullheads, catfish, and bluegill.
Lake Trafford is situated in Collier County, Florida, and is a good fishing spot for anglers of all levels. In addition to fishing, Lake Trafford can also cater for activities like boating, hiking, and wildlife watching.
- Lake Miccosukee
Located in Leon County, Florida, Lake Miccosukee offers anglers of all levels the chance to hook on to some nice bass with bait, fly fishing and lure fishing. Anglers can also land panfish and fish species like crappie, catfish, and bluegill.
Lake Miccosukee is surrounded by lush vegetation and towering cypress trees, providing a scenic backdrop for fishing and other outdoor activities. Anglers can fish from the shoreline or take a boat out onto the lake for a different perspective.
The lake provides habitat for a variety of bird species, including ospreys, bald eagles, and herons.
- Lake Santa Fe
Another lake known for its big bass and is a top water for anglers.
Lake Santa Fe, located North East of Gainesville in Florida, this lake covers over 5,800 acres and provides ample space for anglers to explore.
Bass fishing on Lake Santa Fe is particularly popular, with anglers reporting catches of fish weighing up to 10 pounds or more. The lake also provides habitat for other fish species, including bluegill, crappie, and catfish, making it a versatile fishing spot.
One of the unique features of Lake Santa Fe is its spring-fed, clear water, which provides a great opportunity for sight fishing. Anglers can use a variety of techniques and methods to catch fish on Lake Santa Fe, such as using lures, such as soft plastics, inline spinners and also live bait.
In addition to fishing, Lake Santa Fe is a great place for water sports and other outdoor activities like kayaking, and swimming.
- Lake Apopka
This lake is known for its trophy bass fishing and is close to Orlando. A huge 17-pound bass has been caught there.
Lake Apopka is shallow and does have alligators, but that doesn’t stop the diverse fishing opportunities with species like: largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, brown bullhead and yellow bullhead catfish.
The water can have very low visibility, so large lures with lots of vibration and noise might be worth casting or strong smelling bait. For more information on fishing dirty water, visit – Fish Murky Water More Effectively
Fishing Tips for Bass Fishing in Florida
When it comes to bass fishing in Florida, there are several factors to consider, including the size of the lake, the type of water, and the species of bass. Here are a few fishing tips.
Best Time to Fish for Bass in Florida
You can catch bass all year round, but according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the best time to catch trophy bass are spring and summer because of the spawn.
Depending on season, the best time to fish for bass in Florida is during the early morning or late afternoon.
Bait and Lure Selection
When selecting bait and lures for bass fishing in Florida, it’s important to consider the water conditions and the type of bass you are targeting. For clear water, use natural-colored lures such as shad or minnow imitations.
Tips to Fishing Soft Plastics: Proven Techniques
In murky water, use big bright-colored lures such as chartreuse. Or use black or purple for contrast and silhouette. For largemouth bass, use soft plastics, jigs, and spinnerbaits. For smallmouth bass, use crankbaits and topwater lures depending on season and water temperature.
Live bait such as shiners (baitfish) or worms can also be effective for bass fishing in Florida. However, it’s important to check local regulations as some bodies of water may have restrictions on live bait use.
FAQs
What Other Fish Are Found In Florida?
Florida is home to a diverse range of fish species, both saltwater and freshwater. Here are some of the most common fish found in Florida:
Saltwater Fish:
- Redfish
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spotted Seatrout
- Grouper
- Snapper
- Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin fish)
- Tuna
- King Mackerel
- Sailfish
Freshwater Fish:
- Largemouth Bass
- Crappie
- Bluegill
- Catfish
- Sunshine Bass
- Peacock Bass
- Bowfin (Mudfish)
- Gar
- Tilapia
- Bream
This is not an exhaustive list, and there are many other fish species that can be found in Florida’s waters.
Where Are The Best Crappie Fishing Lakes In Florida?
- Lake Talquin: Located in North Florida near Tallahassee, Lake Talquin is known for its excellent crappie fishing. The lake is relatively shallow and has plenty of vegetation, making it an ideal habitat for crappie.
- Lake Monroe: Located in Central Florida near Sanford, Lake Monroe. The lake has plenty of cover and structure.
- Lake Istokpoga: Located in South-Central Florida.
- Lake Tarpon: Located in West-Central Florida near Tampa.
- Lake Weir: Located in North-Central Florida near Ocala. The lake is relatively shallow.
- Lake Griffin: Located in Central Florida near Leesburg
- Lake Kissimmee: Located in South-Central Florida, Lake Kissimmee is known for its excellent bass fishing, but it’s also a great spot for crappie fishing. The lake has plenty of vegetation and cover as well.
Do I Need A Fishing License in Florida?
Yes, if you want to fish in Florida, you will need a valid Florida fishing license.
Non-residents can purchase a license online, by phone, or at a license agent. Florida residents can purchase a license online or at a license agent. The cost of a license varies depending on whether you are a resident or non-resident and the duration of the license.
Conservation Efforts
Florida has implemented various conservation efforts to best protect its fish populations and ecosystems. These include:
- Designated catch-and-release areas
- Artificial lure-only areas
- Seasonal closures to protect spawning fish
- Restrictions on certain fishing gear, such as nets and traps
It is important to follow these regulations and do your part to preserve Florida’s natural resources for future generations to enjoy.
Catch-and-release is encouraged for bass in Florida. If you do keep bass, it is recommended that you only keep what you plan to consume and release the rest.
Conclusion
Above is just a few of the top bass fishing locations in Florida. With so many lakes, rivers, and canals to choose from, anglers are sure to find a great spot to catch their next trophy bass.
Florida is the perfect destination for bass fishing enthusiasts. So, if you are planning a fishing trip to Florida, be sure to check out some of the best bass fishing spots in the state and experience the thrill of catching these powerful fish.
