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| Fishing Reports for Florida. If you have a report for your area send it to us at reports@bobberstop.com. Please put "Fishing Report" in the subject line of your e-mail and please don't forget to include the location. |
** Last Update was made on 4 - 9 - 08 **
FLORIDA FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS.
CLERMONT CHAIN - Bluegill and redear sunfish are biting on worms, crickets and grass shrimp in
four to six feet of water around emergent grasses and lily pads. Catfish are being caught on cut
bait, chicken liver and commercial baits in deep water areas of lakes Minneola, Minnehaha and
Louisa. Some largemouth bass can be caught trolling crankbaits offshore or by using plastic worms
or topwater lures early and late in the day along grassline edges. Some black crappie can still be
caught on minnows offshore or along deep grassline edges.
LAKE ISTOKPOGA - Largemouth bass fishing has been good this spring, and should continue
through early summer. Slow working baits like plastic worms have been the bait of choice in
Junebug and red shad colors. Live wild shiners are working about as well as artificial lures are right
now. Bass should be finished spawning by early April. Bass will begin schooling, chasing threadfin
and gizzard shad along weedlines and in open water areas. Use shad-imitating baits and topwater
lures for some fast action as summer approaches. Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish
(shellcracker) fishing has improved, with fish congregating in their usual spawning areas. Use
crickets and grass shrimp under a bobber for bream and red wigglers on or near the bottom for
shellcrackers. Locate areas with bulrush, Kissimmee grass or cattails for the best action. Black
crappie (speck) fishing should remain good until the water temperature warms dramatically. Drift live
Missouri minnows and grass shrimp in open water, or troll with Napier deer hair jigs and Hal flies for
schooling fish. Henderson’s Cove is producing good numbers of specks on the outside edge of the
pads near deeper water.
LAKE KISSIMMEE - As weather patterns stabilize, water temperatures rise and the spawning
season concludes, hungry largemouth bass should begin actively foraging during this time of year.
Golden shiners fished in and around vegetative communities associated with Brahma, Grassy and
Ox islands, Lemon Point, 27-Palms (South of Ox Island) and the Pig Trail should account for some
good action.
ass anglers choosing artificial lures will not want to go to the water without their arsenal of
spinnerbaits, preferably adorned with a white skirt and willow-leaf blades. Soft-bodied jerkbaits
(Arkansas shiner or watermelon colored), lipless crankbaits (chrome colored with rattles),
minnow-type lures and the ever popular plastic worm (black grape, red shad and Junebug colored)
should also be in the tackle box. The aforementioned areas of the lake should produce some
enjoyable days on the water for anglers utilizing these assorted baits. Anglers should also be
attentive to largemouth bass schooling activity in open water, where using a lipless crankbait is a
proven method.
Spawning activity by bluegill will get into full swing during these months. Typically, the two-week
period around the full moon phase (one week prior and one week after) will be the best times for
anglers to try their luck for these sporty fish. Anglers should seek out areas of the lake having a
clean, sandy bottom and use live bait (crickets or red wigglers) fished on the bottom with a split-shot
sinker placed five to six inches above the bait.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE - The current water level on Lake Okeechobee as of this writing March 12,
2008 is 10.16 ft. NGVD, and has been below 11 ft. since last spring. The water level in the lake is
expected to increase during the rainy season which begins in June. The lake is approximately four
feet lower than the average for this time of the year. While low water levels are good for seed
germination and vegetation re-growth, they can make navigation difficult or hazardous. Many areas
of the lake that would normally be good areas for fishing are currently inaccessible by boat or
completely dry. Many of the boat ramps to the lake are also inaccessible. The few areas that are
currently accessible to the lake include Taylor Creek (when the locks are operating), the Kissimmee
River, Indian Prairie Canal, Sportsman’s Canal and Clewiston Channel. As always, use caution
when you are running your boat in Lake Okeechobee. It is recommended that you use a depth
finder if your boat has one. Otherwise, it may be best to remain in deeper areas such as the
Kissimmee River, Indian Prairie Canal, the Rim canal, and other canals around the lake. However,
the lower water levels will make it possible for more restoration projects, and anglers should be be
rewarded with good fishing in the following years from rejuvenated vegetation.
Largemouth bass fishing should be best on the outside edges of the shoreline vegetation (mainly
bulrush, eelgrass and knotgrass). Try spoons and spinnerbaits in the grass flats, and plastic worms
and flipping jigs in the heaver cover. Of course, golden shiners are the best live bait for largemouth
bass. A lot of largemouth bass were found during electrofishing surveys in the lower Kissimmee
River from the first lock (S65E), down to the mouth. Other areas to try are Tin House Cove and
Indian Prairie areas on the west side, the West Wall, East Wall, the Tip of Ritta Island, Sportsman’s
Canal and Clewiston Channel. A guide is highly recommended, especially for your first trip to the
lake.
Black crappie fishing usually slows down into the spring, but people have reported good catches in
the Kissimmee River. Anglers have reported catching nice sized crappie, many over 10 inches. Fish
in deeper waters near edges of the canal shoreline drop offs and the pilings under the Highway 78
bridge. Fishing in the Kissimmee River will be best during times the river is flowing. Angling effort
should be concentrated near the edges of vegetation stands. The best angling will occur early and
late in the day. Use the usual fishing techniques for crappie throughout this time. Minnows should
be suspended at various depths to locate schools. Jig fishing is most productive, as you can cover a
great deal more area. The secret to successful crappie fishing is to move often, until you locate a
school.
Bluegill and redear fishing will be at its best during the spring. Redear should be well into their
spawning season by April. Much depends upon the weather at that time. Start looking for spawning
areas within five days before and after the new and full moons. Areas to check this spring will be the
mouth of the Kissimmee River and the northeast edge of King’s Bar near Okeechobee, the outer
edge of Observation Island near Lakeport, and the outer edge of South Bay near Clewiston. Most
redear are taken on live worms. Bluegills usually start their spawning season a little later than
redear. Look for the bluegill bite to start picking up in April. Best areas will be the rim canals around
Lake Okeechobee, the numerous canals leading to the lake, Kissimmee River and areas mentioned
above for redear. Beetle spins and crickets are the preferred baits for bluegill.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE - Largemouth bass action is best on plastic worms or topwater baits fished in
and around grass beds early or late in the day. A warm spring will produce good redear sunfish and
bluegill fishing. Look for exposed snail shell beds to find spawning redear sunfish and bluegill. The
water will be shallow and clear so the fish will momentarily flee. Anchor your boat and expect to wait
15 to 20 minutes before getting the first strike. Earthworms, crickets or grass shrimp fished near the
bottom are the best baits. Water levels are low, so navigation will be difficult at the Outlet River fish
camp.
LAKE SEMINOLE - The reservoirs along the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers are at or above full
pool, so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) should be able to supplement flows at least
through the spring if drought conditions in the lower basin return. If the weather fronts continue
through April, the reservoirs should remain full and cool, and bedding activity will be prolonged.
Crappie fishing on Lake Seminole was good through March and should continue into April.
Largemouth bass began moving into the shallows early, but cool weather in March slowed their
spawning. Fish the creek mouths and flats in about six to ten feet of water for staging fish that are
moving to the beds, but move to the backs of the creeks as spawning picks up. Later in the spring,
move to deeper water along the Flint River and larger tributaries and fish vertically with jigs and
spoons along the channels, weed lines and the standing timber, or off the points. On the
Chattahoochee side, fish the cuts between the islands where there is current.
Bluegill and shellcracker will also be on the beds in April and May, and fishing should be good
around the full moon. Adult stripers began migrating up the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers to
spawn in late March and will continue through mid to late April. Many stripers will move back into the
reservoir if water temperatures don’t warm too quickly. Immature fish will remain in the reservoir
through the spring. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released 42,000 phase II (8 to 12
inch) striped bass into Lake Seminole during December and January. Fish the old river channels on
both the Chattahoochee and Flint River sides of the lake. High water during February and March
resulted in the discharge of sunshine bass from Lake George and Lake Blackshear, and hybrid
fishing in Lake Seminole and in the rivers should be good through the spring.
LAKE TARPON - Redear sunfish (shellcracker) can be caught all year from the shell bars on
crickets and red wigglers fished below a slip bobber near the bottom, and bluegill (bream) can be
caught on crickets and grass shrimp fished along shoreline vegetation. Largemouth bass fishing
has been good, with two to four pound bass making up the bulk of the catch. Try fishing a
Texas-rigged plastic worm or slow rolling a spinnerbait around the shell bars near deep water. Live
wild shiners should be very productive when drifted over grass beds or dropped into holes in the
grass. Shad-imitating lures are a good choice in late spring and through the summer as bass chase
schools of threadfin shad in open water. Lake Tarpon continues to produce good numbers of large
bass during the spring, making it one of Florida’s Top Ten Bass Lakes every year. Black crappie
(specks) fishing has slowed with the warmer water temperature. Try drifting live Missouri minnows,
or trolling small jigs and spinners in open water, to find the schools. The best bet is a small green
tube jig drifted over grass beds.
WINTER HAVEN CHAIN - Low water levels are making it difficult to get from one lake to the next on
the Winter Haven Chain. Bluegill (bream) fishing should improve with warmer water temperatures.
Use crickets and red wigglers fished below a bobber near shoreline vegetation. Black crappie
(speck) fishing will be good until late April when warmer water temperatures cause most anglers to
switch to bream fishing. Drift live Missouri minnows or troll with Hal flies and small spinners over
grass beds for the best action. Largemouth bass fishing is slow, with most fish being caught on live
wild shiners, and plastic worms fished slowly around cattails and bulrush (buggy whips). Try using a
lipless crankbait along deeper grass beds. Bass will finish spawning in April, so fish shallow areas
with cattails, bulrush and Kissimmee grass (maidencane) with plastic lizards, crawfish and other soft
plastics in Junebug, red shad and tequila colors.
Report By: FWCC
FLORIDA FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS.
CLERMONT CHAIN - Bluegill and redear sunfish are biting on worms, crickets and grass shrimp in
four to six feet of water around emergent grasses and lily pads. Catfish are being caught on cut
bait, chicken liver and commercial baits in deep water areas of lakes Minneola, Minnehaha and
Louisa. Some largemouth bass can be caught trolling crankbaits offshore or by using plastic worms
or topwater lures early and late in the day along grassline edges. Some black crappie can still be
caught on minnows offshore or along deep grassline edges.
LAKE ISTOKPOGA - Largemouth bass fishing has been good this spring, and should continue
through early summer. Slow working baits like plastic worms have been the bait of choice in
Junebug and red shad colors. Live wild shiners are working about as well as artificial lures are right
now. Bass should be finished spawning by early April. Bass will begin schooling, chasing threadfin
and gizzard shad along weedlines and in open water areas. Use shad-imitating baits and topwater
lures for some fast action as summer approaches. Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish
(shellcracker) fishing has improved, with fish congregating in their usual spawning areas. Use
crickets and grass shrimp under a bobber for bream and red wigglers on or near the bottom for
shellcrackers. Locate areas with bulrush, Kissimmee grass or cattails for the best action. Black
crappie (speck) fishing should remain good until the water temperature warms dramatically. Drift live
Missouri minnows and grass shrimp in open water, or troll with Napier deer hair jigs and Hal flies for
schooling fish. Henderson’s Cove is producing good numbers of specks on the outside edge of the
pads near deeper water.
LAKE KISSIMMEE - As weather patterns stabilize, water temperatures rise and the spawning
season concludes, hungry largemouth bass should begin actively foraging during this time of year.
Golden shiners fished in and around vegetative communities associated with Brahma, Grassy and
Ox islands, Lemon Point, 27-Palms (South of Ox Island) and the Pig Trail should account for some
good action.
ass anglers choosing artificial lures will not want to go to the water without their arsenal of
spinnerbaits, preferably adorned with a white skirt and willow-leaf blades. Soft-bodied jerkbaits
(Arkansas shiner or watermelon colored), lipless crankbaits (chrome colored with rattles),
minnow-type lures and the ever popular plastic worm (black grape, red shad and Junebug colored)
should also be in the tackle box. The aforementioned areas of the lake should produce some
enjoyable days on the water for anglers utilizing these assorted baits. Anglers should also be
attentive to largemouth bass schooling activity in open water, where using a lipless crankbait is a
proven method.
Spawning activity by bluegill will get into full swing during these months. Typically, the two-week
period around the full moon phase (one week prior and one week after) will be the best times for
anglers to try their luck for these sporty fish. Anglers should seek out areas of the lake having a
clean, sandy bottom and use live bait (crickets or red wigglers) fished on the bottom with a split-shot
sinker placed five to six inches above the bait.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE - The current water level on Lake Okeechobee as of this writing March 12,
2008 is 10.16 ft. NGVD, and has been below 11 ft. since last spring. The water level in the lake is
expected to increase during the rainy season which begins in June. The lake is approximately four
feet lower than the average for this time of the year. While low water levels are good for seed
germination and vegetation re-growth, they can make navigation difficult or hazardous. Many areas
of the lake that would normally be good areas for fishing are currently inaccessible by boat or
completely dry. Many of the boat ramps to the lake are also inaccessible. The few areas that are
currently accessible to the lake include Taylor Creek (when the locks are operating), the Kissimmee
River, Indian Prairie Canal, Sportsman’s Canal and Clewiston Channel. As always, use caution
when you are running your boat in Lake Okeechobee. It is recommended that you use a depth
finder if your boat has one. Otherwise, it may be best to remain in deeper areas such as the
Kissimmee River, Indian Prairie Canal, the Rim canal, and other canals around the lake. However,
the lower water levels will make it possible for more restoration projects, and anglers should be be
rewarded with good fishing in the following years from rejuvenated vegetation.
Largemouth bass fishing should be best on the outside edges of the shoreline vegetation (mainly
bulrush, eelgrass and knotgrass). Try spoons and spinnerbaits in the grass flats, and plastic worms
and flipping jigs in the heaver cover. Of course, golden shiners are the best live bait for largemouth
bass. A lot of largemouth bass were found during electrofishing surveys in the lower Kissimmee
River from the first lock (S65E), down to the mouth. Other areas to try are Tin House Cove and
Indian Prairie areas on the west side, the West Wall, East Wall, the Tip of Ritta Island, Sportsman’s
Canal and Clewiston Channel. A guide is highly recommended, especially for your first trip to the
lake.
Black crappie fishing usually slows down into the spring, but people have reported good catches in
the Kissimmee River. Anglers have reported catching nice sized crappie, many over 10 inches. Fish
in deeper waters near edges of the canal shoreline drop offs and the pilings under the Highway 78
bridge. Fishing in the Kissimmee River will be best during times the river is flowing. Angling effort
should be concentrated near the edges of vegetation stands. The best angling will occur early and
late in the day. Use the usual fishing techniques for crappie throughout this time. Minnows should
be suspended at various depths to locate schools. Jig fishing is most productive, as you can cover a
great deal more area. The secret to successful crappie fishing is to move often, until you locate a
school.
Bluegill and redear fishing will be at its best during the spring. Redear should be well into their
spawning season by April. Much depends upon the weather at that time. Start looking for spawning
areas within five days before and after the new and full moons. Areas to check this spring will be the
mouth of the Kissimmee River and the northeast edge of King’s Bar near Okeechobee, the outer
edge of Observation Island near Lakeport, and the outer edge of South Bay near Clewiston. Most
redear are taken on live worms. Bluegills usually start their spawning season a little later than
redear. Look for the bluegill bite to start picking up in April. Best areas will be the rim canals around
Lake Okeechobee, the numerous canals leading to the lake, Kissimmee River and areas mentioned
above for redear. Beetle spins and crickets are the preferred baits for bluegill.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE - Largemouth bass action is best on plastic worms or topwater baits fished in
and around grass beds early or late in the day. A warm spring will produce good redear sunfish and
bluegill fishing. Look for exposed snail shell beds to find spawning redear sunfish and bluegill. The
water will be shallow and clear so the fish will momentarily flee. Anchor your boat and expect to wait
15 to 20 minutes before getting the first strike. Earthworms, crickets or grass shrimp fished near the
bottom are the best baits. Water levels are low, so navigation will be difficult at the Outlet River fish
camp.
LAKE SEMINOLE - The reservoirs along the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers are at or above full
pool, so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) should be able to supplement flows at least
through the spring if drought conditions in the lower basin return. If the weather fronts continue
through April, the reservoirs should remain full and cool, and bedding activity will be prolonged.
Crappie fishing on Lake Seminole was good through March and should continue into April.
Largemouth bass began moving into the shallows early, but cool weather in March slowed their
spawning. Fish the creek mouths and flats in about six to ten feet of water for staging fish that are
moving to the beds, but move to the backs of the creeks as spawning picks up. Later in the spring,
move to deeper water along the Flint River and larger tributaries and fish vertically with jigs and
spoons along the channels, weed lines and the standing timber, or off the points. On the
Chattahoochee side, fish the cuts between the islands where there is current.
Bluegill and shellcracker will also be on the beds in April and May, and fishing should be good
around the full moon. Adult stripers began migrating up the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers to
spawn in late March and will continue through mid to late April. Many stripers will move back into the
reservoir if water temperatures don’t warm too quickly. Immature fish will remain in the reservoir
through the spring. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released 42,000 phase II (8 to 12
inch) striped bass into Lake Seminole during December and January. Fish the old river channels on
both the Chattahoochee and Flint River sides of the lake. High water during February and March
resulted in the discharge of sunshine bass from Lake George and Lake Blackshear, and hybrid
fishing in Lake Seminole and in the rivers should be good through the spring.
LAKE TARPON - Redear sunfish (shellcracker) can be caught all year from the shell bars on
crickets and red wigglers fished below a slip bobber near the bottom, and bluegill (bream) can be
caught on crickets and grass shrimp fished along shoreline vegetation. Largemouth bass fishing
has been good, with two to four pound bass making up the bulk of the catch. Try fishing a
Texas-rigged plastic worm or slow rolling a spinnerbait around the shell bars near deep water. Live
wild shiners should be very productive when drifted over grass beds or dropped into holes in the
grass. Shad-imitating lures are a good choice in late spring and through the summer as bass chase
schools of threadfin shad in open water. Lake Tarpon continues to produce good numbers of large
bass during the spring, making it one of Florida’s Top Ten Bass Lakes every year. Black crappie
(specks) fishing has slowed with the warmer water temperature. Try drifting live Missouri minnows,
or trolling small jigs and spinners in open water, to find the schools. The best bet is a small green
tube jig drifted over grass beds.
WINTER HAVEN CHAIN - Low water levels are making it difficult to get from one lake to the next on
the Winter Haven Chain. Bluegill (bream) fishing should improve with warmer water temperatures.
Use crickets and red wigglers fished below a bobber near shoreline vegetation. Black crappie
(speck) fishing will be good until late April when warmer water temperatures cause most anglers to
switch to bream fishing. Drift live Missouri minnows or troll with Hal flies and small spinners over
grass beds for the best action. Largemouth bass fishing is slow, with most fish being caught on live
wild shiners, and plastic worms fished slowly around cattails and bulrush (buggy whips). Try using a
lipless crankbait along deeper grass beds. Bass will finish spawning in April, so fish shallow areas
with cattails, bulrush and Kissimmee grass (maidencane) with plastic lizards, crawfish and other soft
plastics in Junebug, red shad and tequila colors.
Report By: FWCC
Florida Fishing Reports
