Freshwater
Fishing in Florida

Get A Freshwater License
Freshwater Rules & Regulations
Freshwater Fishing Tips
Fish Pictures & Descriptions

Freshwater fishing in Florida usually means one thing - bass! There are more than 10,000 freshwater lakes, rivers and ponds in this state and the number and size of largemouth bass that have been pulled out of them each year has earned it the title of "Bass Capital of the World!" In addition to the largemouth bass, you'll also find an abundance of sunshine bass, striped bass and bream (pronounced "brim").

New Snook regulations from the FWC

Fly Casting
There is nothing more thrilling to an avid fisherman than catching fish on a fly rod. Although fly casting is more difficult to learn than other casting methods, it is worth the hours of practice that precede becoming proficient in the sport.

A fly rod is basically a long, limber pole. The basic principle of fly casting involves the springiness of the rod tip which does the work of sending the line on its way.

Fly rods are generally made from fiberglass or split bamboo. A rod approximately eight feet in length, weighing four to five ounces is probably the bets choice for the beginner. Fly rods reels are generally the manual winding style or automatic winding.

The fly casting procedure starts by pulling some twelve feet of line from the reel. Hold it ahead of you with your left hand. As you begin the cast, elevate the rod tip slowly at first and then increasing the speed until the rod reaches shoulder height, pause in order allow the line time to straighten out behind you. as you feel a pull on the rod tip, begin the forward cast. Increase speed until your forearm is parallel with the water. At this moment, the rod will be slightly elevated. Lower the tip of the rod until the entire rod is parallel with the water and the line and fly will quietly enter the water. As additional line is necessary, you may pull it from your reel as you repeat the casting motion.

Spinning
Spinning is the most popular method of fishing because it is easy to learn how to handle the equipment. the most important advantages of this type of equipment are th elimination of the backlash problem and the capability of fishing with very light lures.

Most spinning rods are made of glass or bamboo. A practical length for the beginner is six to seven feet. There are two basic types of spinning reels. The open-face reel with the spool of line exposed is mounted under the rod. the closed-face reel with the line covered by a metal funnel-type shell is mounted on top of the rod - and is controlled by a mechanical push button.

The casting motion starts by pointing the rod at the target. The line should be not more than about six inches from the rod tip. Elevate the rod in casting motion to a point slightly past the overhead position and as the weight of the lure bends the rod, whip the rod forward sharply. At the same time, release the line held with your finger on an open-face reel or take your thumb off of the line -release button on the closed-face reel.

Florida Freshwater Lakes
Bear Lake

Lake Blue Cypress - Blue Cypress is a 6,555-acre lake located in Indian River County. It is a scenic body of water with a shoreline structure composed of cypress and spatterdock. Several fish attractors have been constructed in open-water areas and are marked with buoys. Lake Blue Cypress has a good population of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, and catfish. For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions, call Middleton’s Fish Camp at: (772) 778-0150.

Boone's - Santa Rosa County, in Florida's panhandle

Bryant
Butler
Conway
Crescent
Dead Lakes
Deer Point
Dexter
Dorr
E./W. Tohopekaliga
George
Griffin
Hancock
Harris
Harney
Hart
Hatchineha
Hurricane
Iamonia
Istokpoga
Jackson
Jensen Savannas
Jessup
June in Winter
Juniper
Karick
Kerr
Kissimmee
Lochloosa
Louisa
Marion
Merritt's Mill Pond
Miccosukee
Monroe
Newnans
Ocean Pond
Okahumpka
Okeechobee
Orange
Palestine
Pannasoffkee
Poinsett
Rodman Resvoir
Rousseau
Sampson/Rowell
Santa Fe
Seminole
Stella
Talquin
Tarpon
Thonotassa
Trafford
Tsala Apopka
Victor
Washington
Weir
Winder
Woodruff
Yale
 

Fishing Lake Okeechobee
This is the largest of Florida's 30,000 lakes, and the second largest freshwater lake in the United States. Lake Okeechobee  (meaning "big water" in the Seminole language, is also considered the most productive bass and pan fish lake in the country. It covers 750 square miles and is home to alligators, rare birds and bald eagles. It's nickname is the "Big O." There are several marinas, bait and tackle shops and fishing guides to make sure your freshwater fishing trip is a success!  is accessible by U.S. 27 from the south and S.R. 98 and U.S. 441 from the east.

Fishing the Panhandle/Northwest
Freshwater fishing in Florida's Panhandle region offers some very diverse opportunities. You can enter the mouth of the Apalachicola River and head north to the Jim Woodruff Dam for excellent bass fishing. Around marker 11.2 you'll find bass, crapie, bream and catfish. The Apalachicola River provides wonderful freshwater fishing, all the way to Lake Seminole.

Bait Casting
Bait casting equipment allows the fisherman to cast larger lures, making it popular with many of the country's top guides and with experienced fishermen who enjoy going after the big ones. Bait casting equipment is particularly effective when fishing small openings in weed beds or next to submerged objects because of the accuracy that can be achieve by controlling the speed of the line coming off of the reel.

The concept of bait casting is fairly easy to learn; however, proficiency in the sport will take a little longer. Begin by grasping your rod handle and then turn the rod until the reel handle is pointing straight up. Use your thumb as a brake on the reel spool to prevent the line from running out. Point your red at the spot where you want your lure to go. The bait should be not more than about six inches from the rod tip.

Elevate the rod in the casting motion to a pint slightly past the over head position and as the weight of the lure bends the rod, whip the rod forward sharply. At the same time, release pressure n the line with our thumb allowing the lure t be on its way. You should keep slight contact with the reel in order to prevent back-lashes.

As the lure hits the water, stop the spool from turning with increased thumb pressure, shift the rod and reel to your other hand and start the retrieve.

Trolling
Trolling allows the angler to cover a wide area in a short period of time. This is particularity advantageous when he is in strange waters and wants a fast way to discover where the fish are located. The speed at which you troll can be determined by the speed at which you start catching fish. (Lures generally should be trolled slowly.) trolling action can be augmented by slowly lowering and raising the tip of your rod, or by giving the rod small jerks. Once a  fish strikes, the boat should be stopped at once.

Many fishermen also enjoy trolling because they can not only enjoy the surrounding area while the lure searches for fish, but it is also relaxing since the angler simply holds the rod and waits for the fish to attack.

Rods for trolling are generally fairly stiff in order to withstand the constant bending that trolling causes and to help set the hook securely in light of the length of the line used when trolling. Lures most often used are wobblers, spoons, or spinners.

Always use swivels when trolling with wobblers, spoons or spinners to prevent line twists.