| Central Florida lakes are very popular among | | | | the high teens can be caught in the lakes |
| fishermen and people who want to experience | | | | around this part of the state. |
| nature on their vacations. Take a few days of | | | | |
| your trip to enjoy all this area has to | | | | If you are planning to fish on your trip, |
| offer. This is a perfect way to relax after | | | | there are some things you will need. You will |
| spending a few hectic days in the crowded | | | | need a Florida fishing license. These can be |
| theme parks. | | | | purchased at most bait or tackle shops in the |
| | | | state. The weather tends to be hot and the |
| Fishing in Central Florida Lakes | | | | sun is strong, so you will need protection. |
| | | | Be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a |
| The lakes in central Florida offer many great | | | | hat. Wear light weight, comfortable clothing |
| spots for fishing. This combined with the | | | | to help keep cool in the hot weather. Bring |
| great weather allows you to fish all year | | | | along a rod, tackle and a camera to capture a |
| round. The large mouth bass is the best known | | | | picture of the big one. |
| and most popular fresh water fish in Florida. | | | | |
| The central lakes are known for large bass | | | | Guided fishing tours are available at most |
| and trophy sized fish are routinely found in | | | | large lakes. These can be half day or full |
| these waters. | | | | day trips. The rates for the tours vary |
| | | | according to the company and time of year. |
| The Bass World Lodge on St. Johns River is a | | | | Reduced rates are available for larger |
| very good spot for large fish. Lake | | | | parties. Some guided tours provide tackle. Be |
| Okeechobee is a very large lake in the middle | | | | sure to ask when you book the tour. |
| of the state. The name means big water in the | | | | |
| language of the Seminole Indians. The name is | | | | State Parks near Central Florida Lakes |
| very fitting for this particular body of | | | | |
| water. The lake is thirty seven miles long | | | | The state park system in Florida is one of |
| and thirty miles wide. In most areas, the | | | | the largest in the country. There are over |
| lake is ten feet deep. A large number of bass | | | | twenty that are not far from the downtown |
| are found here. There are more fish caught | | | | Orlando area. Many are located near large |
| here weighing over ten pounds than any other | | | | lakes as well. Some of the closest parks to |
| lake in central Florida. | | | | the downtown area include: Wekiwa Springs |
| | | | State Park and Tosohatchee State Reserve. |
| Lake Toho is the most popular lake in the | | | | |
| Kissimmee chain. This is a shallow lake that | | | | The proximity of the parks allows you to |
| is about 18,800 acres of water. The aquatic | | | | experience nature, while staying close to the |
| vegetation in the lake offers abundant food | | | | theme parks. You will find wildlife, |
| for fish. This makes good spawning grounds | | | | vegetation and native birds. A variety of |
| and allows for plenty of fish. The fish grow | | | | animals call the state parks home. Some of |
| quite large with the abundant food supply. A | | | | the animals you may encounter include: |
| fishing tournament is held here each year in | | | | alligators, turtles, river otters, raccoons, |
| the fall. | | | | bobcats, black bears, foxes and deer. A |
| | | | variety of birds can be found in the parks as |
| The bass is most abundant during the spawning | | | | well. Bald Eagles, ospreys, turkey, owls, |
| season. This occurs between December and | | | | hawks and sand hill cranes are often found in |
| April of every year. During this time, fish | | | | state parks. |
| weighing from eight pounds all the way up to | | | | |