The 7 Best Fishing Lakes in Florida

Welcome to the angler’s paradise known as Florida. In this southern state, freshwater fisheries offer an abundance of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. With over 7,500 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs scattered across the state, fishing enthusiasts have an endless playground to explore.

The best part? There are no closed seasons. Let’s find out which lakes rank among the top when it comes to fishing in Florida.

1. Lake Seminole

Lake Seminole, a sprawling impoundment created in 1952, is renowned for its exceptional largemouth bass fishing. However, this fantastic fishery has much more to offer. Approximately 46 different fish species call it home, including crappie, catfish, and chain pickerel. This lake is a true angler’s paradise.

What sets Lake Seminole apart is its dense aquatic vegetation. These plants provide shelter to a wide variety of species and create an abundance of baitfish. This thriving ecosystem makes for a truly remarkable fishing experience.

Lake Seminole boasts excellent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass. It also features striped and hybrid striped bass, known as sunshine bass. These species have been stocked, adding another layer of excitement to the fishing experience.

Exploring Lake Seminole is an adventure in itself. With numerous coves, creek arms, and a diverse range of bottom structures, from timber and stumps to weed beds and brush, there’s always something new to discover. 

In 1985, Thomas Elder achieved a remarkable feat by reeling in a 16.31-pound sunshine bass. He secured the Florida state record for this species.

Conveniently located near Tallahassee, Lake Seminole is easily accessible from various points in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Florida provides access to the lake primarily through landings and parks situated along the Chattahoochee River Arm.

For those seeking fishing opportunities on the Florida side of Lake Seminole, Three Rivers State Park is a top choice. This picturesque park offers a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and camping facilities suitable for both tents and RVs.

2. Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee is an unparalleled destination for fishing enthusiasts, offering an experience unlike any other in Florida. It boasts an immense expanse of 467,000 acres. In fact, it reigns supreme as the largest freshwater lake in the state, captivating anglers with its boundless potential. The exceptional bass fishing found here consistently yields largemouth surpassing eight pounds, creating an angler’s dream come true.

What sets Lake Okeechobee apart is its ideal conditions for fish breeding. Its expansive size, warm climate, and abundant shallow vegetation foster a diverse range of fish species. However, navigating this colossal body of water can be an intimidating task, especially considering its ever-changing nature.

It is not uncommon to encounter bass weighing between five and 10 pounds. And the possibility of reeling in even larger specimens adds to the excitement. Additionally, other fish species present excellent fishing opportunities, particularly during seasons when bass fishing becomes more challenging.

During the cooler months, crappie fishing flourishes, making Lake Okeechobee a crappie enthusiast’s haven. The lake has solidified its reputation as one of America’s top panfish lakes. It has astonishingly abundant populations of bluegill and redear sunfish.

Surprisingly, catfish remain an underutilized target among anglers in Lake Okeechobee. This represents a missed opportunity, as the lake stands as one of the premier catfish destinations in South Florida. Abounding with channel cats, numerous bullheads, and even some white catfish, it holds tremendous potential for catfish enthusiasts.

Situated across five counties in South Florida, Lake Okeechobee offers convenient access from various nearby cities. Traveling approximately an hour west of West Palm Beach brings anglers within reach of this captivating fishing haven. Exploration of its 130-mile shoreline is easy.

3. Lake Talquin

Nestled just west of Tallahassee, you’ll find Lake Talquin. This sprawling 8,800-acre reservoir has gained national recognition for its exceptional black crappie fishery. 

Anglers flock here year-round to capitalize on the bountiful largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and catfish populations. Additionally, Lake Talquin offers a distinctive experience with its stocked striped bass, adding to its charm as a fishing destination.

What sets this reservoir apart is its exceptional depth, a rarity among most lakes in Florida.

For those seeking the thrill of crappie fishing, Lake Talquin stands out as one of the premier destinations in the state. It’s not unusual for anglers to reel in hundreds of fish in a single day when the bite is strong. Black crappies here often reach weights of up to three pounds.

If catfish are your target species, you’re in for a treat. The Ochlockonee River, which feeds into Lake Talquin, is renowned as one of Florida’s top catfish rivers. As a result, the lake offers fantastic opportunities to catch these whiskered fish.

Situated in the eastern part of the Florida Panhandle, Lake Talquin spans Gadsden and Leon counties. It enjoys close proximity to the cities of Tallahassee and Quincy. 

When it comes to accessibility, Lake Talquin is hard to beat. With various access points, including state parks, state forests, county parks, and boat landings, anglers have no shortage of options. In addition, many of these access points are equipped with fishing piers. This feature adds an extra level of convenience for those looking to cast their lines.

4. Lake Tohopekaliga

Lake Tohopekaliga is also known as Lake Toho. It is a captivating 22,700-acre body of water situated just south of Orlando, offering fantastic bass fishing opportunities. It consistently ranks among Florida’s top bass lakes, regularly producing impressive largemouths weighing over eight pounds.

Located a mere half-hour drive from both Orlando and Disney World, Lake Tohopekaliga is an ideal day trip. However, if you plan to extend your stay, the on-site Lake Toho RV Resort provides a convenient campground with RV hookups. It is nestled on the eastern bank of the lake in Southern Kissimmee. This resort offers easy access to boat slips, a boat ramp, and a tackle shop.

While bass fishing is the highlight at Lake Toho, there is an abundance of other fish species. The thriving populations of black crappie, redear sunfish, channel catfish, spotted sunfish, chain pickerel, warmouth, longnose gar, and bluegill make it a diverse angling paradise.

This remarkable variety of fish is attracted to the lake’s vast vegetation, particularly the dense hydrilla in certain areas. However, locating the fish amidst the plant life can pose a challenge for anglers.

Fortunately, Lake Toho offers excellent opportunities for both bank fishing and boating. Multiple locations provide access to the shoreline and several public and private boat ramps. Anglers have plenty of options to explore and enjoy their fishing adventures. So whether you prefer casting your line from the bank or cruising the lake’s serene waters in a boat, Lake Toho caters to all fishing preferences.

5. Lake Istokpoga

Lake Istokpoga is a hidden gem that often goes unnoticed amidst the region’s impressive fishing destinations. Boasting a vast expanse of 27,692 acres, this magnificent lake stands as one of the largest in Florida. In addition, it ranks high among the state’s finest angling spots.

Despite its expansive size, Lake Istokpoga remains relatively shallow, characteristic of many Florida lakes. The average depth is a mere 10 feet, making it an ideal haven for anglers who prefer shallow cover. 

Among the array of fish species that call Lake Istokpoga home, the largemouth bass population takes center stage. Renowned for its health and stability, this lake offers ample opportunities to catch bass in various sizes. Few bodies of water in Florida can rival Lake Istokpoga’s bass production per acre. It ensures an unforgettable angling experience for enthusiasts.

As the late winter transitions into early spring, the lake comes alive with the presence of crappies. These delightful fish live near the shallow vegetation that blankets the lake. They typically swim in waters no deeper than 4 feet. 

Aside from its celebrated bass and crappie populations, Lake Istokpoga also offers excellent panfish action. Bluegill and redear sunfish, collectively known as bream, thrive in these waters, providing anglers with a memorable pan-fishing experience. Seek the thrill of catching feisty bluegills or the challenge of landing a trophy redear sunfish. Lake Istokpoga delivers bountiful opportunities for every angler.

This lake is conveniently located just over two hours south of Orlando via the Florida Turnpike. Lake Istokpoga beckons anglers from far and wide. Access to this angler’s paradise is made easy, with Lake Istokpoga Park as one of the most popular entry points.

6. Lake Kissimmee

Lake Kissimmee is a must-visit destination for anglers seeking an unforgettable bass fishing experience. As one of the largest freshwater lakes in the state, spanning an impressive 35,000 acres, it attracts fishermen from all corners of the globe. This scenic lake not only offers exceptional fishing opportunities but also showcases Florida’s heritage and breathtaking wildlife.

For avid anglers and novices alike, Lake Kissimmee is renowned for its prime bass habitat, making it an ideal location to reel in your biggest catch yet. Thanks to the lake’s slightly warmer water temperatures, bass thrive in abundance, drawing fishing enthusiasts back time and again. However, the bounty of Lake Kissimmee extends beyond bass, with a diverse array of fish species such as black crappie, channel catfish, bluegill, spotted sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, longnose gar, and chain pickerel.

Apart from fishing, Lake Kissimmee State Park provides a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering an opportunity to encounter a variety of captivating wildlife. As you explore the park’s picturesque marina, you may encounter majestic creatures such as bald eagles, white-tailed deer, sandhill cranes, bobcats, and wild turkeys. Whether you choose to embark on a boating adventure, paddle a canoe, set up camp, or simply indulge in the tranquil art of fishing, Lake Kissimmee State Park presents an idyllic backdrop.

Conveniently situated, Lake Kissimmee is within easy reach of major cities. Orlando, a mere 22 miles away, and Tampa, a slightly further distance of 73 miles, offer additional attractions and amenities for those seeking a well-rounded getaway. 

7. Lake George

Lake George is situated in Northeast Florida. It has maintained its reputation as one of the premier fishing lakes in the region for many years. Over time, this lake has undergone significant transformations, but its charm as a fishing destination remains unaltered.

Spanning a vast expanse of 46,000 acres, Lake George is characterized by its wide and shallow nature. The lake’s brackish water, which contains higher salinity levels, originates from multiple salt springs that flow into the lake along its western shoreline. This distinctive salt content enables Lake George to support an array of saltwater species, including a thriving population of blue crabs.

Largemouth bass continues to thrive abundantly in Lake George. Employees stock these fish extensively in the lake, along with sunshine bass, which is a hybrid of striped and white bass.

Renowned as one of Florida’s most exceptional bream lakes, Lake George hosts massive communities of bluegill and redear sunfish. Although it may not be the primary lake on the St. Johns River for crappie fishing, anglers can still reel in plenty of them here, particularly during the cooler months. In addition, the St. Johns River itself is one of Florida’s top catfish rivers, and the lakes connected to it, including Lake George, offer equally exceptional opportunities.

For fishing enthusiasts, Lake George is conveniently located approximately 90 minutes north of Orlando and less than two hours south of Jacksonville.

Summary of the 7 Best Fishing Lakes in Florida

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