The Best Fishing In Florida

Florida is a special place for fishing and a big part of the reason, of course, is its geographical location. The state is home to over three million acres of lakes and 12,000 miles of rivers and streams that help to feed the vast number of fish species here. With Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastlines, saltwater fishing was bound to be the most popular choice for anglers in the state (and it is) who reel in such fine catches am marlin, red snapper, swordfish, grouper and many other varieties. Of course, freshwater fishing is also popular among visitors and residents alike, with the freshwater largemouth bass one of the most exciting catches for folks to reel in (and it happens to be a favorite among anglers of all skill levels).

Florida is home to over 550 lakes, and visitors not only partake in fishing, but also enjoy all types of water activities such as boating, swimming, water-skiing and more. There are great campgrounds, hotels, motels and inns near Florida's lakes that make them convenient for any vacation here. Florida is a premier destination for anglers, a fact known around the world, and offers a chance to experience the best that salt water and freshwater fishing has to offer. Here a just a few great spots to get you going:

Lake Okeechobee - This lake happens to be the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida and this is where many anglers find the largemouth bass to be flourishing. The lake is 730 square miles of relatively shallow waters with a depth of no more than nine feet. It is also the second-largest freshwater lake in the entire continental United States. You could spend a lot of time here fishing for bass, but there are also plenty of crappie in the lake for you to try snagging.

Weohyakapka (Walk in the Water) - This lake is also one of the finest places to reel in some awesome catches. The lake is over 7000 acres and is known for its fabulous bass. It is never a rarity to have bass weigh in at over four pounds each and some are even as heavy as 10 pounds. At some point during a day of fishing, someone in a group of anglers is likely to pull in a 15-20 pounder. There is a lot of catch-and-release activity due to the limit of only three fish per day. One of the best times to fish in the Weohyakapka Lake is from the month of February through the month of May. These months are best because the weather is cool, which makes the bass tend to stay in the shallower waters making for an easier catch. However, it is still possible for you to reel them in during the hotter months, but you will find yourself going into deeper waters with your bait.

Lake Kissimmee - This lake is 38,000 acres of pure fishing excitement. During 1995 and 1996 the lake was drained in order to create 24 miles of shoreline and better bass spawning conditions. Due to this change in the lake the bass population has been able to continue flourishing in large numbers. The bass in this lake have so many places to hide that they can be several years old even before they are tempted by an angler's bait. The lake has a five bass catch limit and the ones that you are allowed to keep must be over 24 inches long. This is why there is so much catch-and-release activity going on here in Lake Kissimmee, as well. You will not only find bass in the lake but also a variety of crappie, bluegills and shellcrackers.

Lake Hatchineha - This lake is connected to Lake Kissimmee by a canal and is over 6000 acres of fine Florida fishing. It is stocked with largemouth bass and bluegills. The depth of the water is controlled by floodgates and the lake is only about eight feet deep, making it easy to find the fish you are aiming to catch. The lake also has plenty of vegetation and many anglers find that this makes for more difficult fishing, as their lures sink into the weeds. It is best to use certain types of bait in this lake due to the thick vegetation. Shallow crankbaits, topwaters, weedless spoons, plastic worms, spinner baits and buzzbaits tend to work best here.