Best Fishing Lakes In Florida

Guide to top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in FL.

Blue Cypress Lake, Crescent Lake, East Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Apopka, Lake George, Lake Harris, Lake Kissimmee, Lake Seminole, Lake Tohopekaliga, Rodman Reservoir and St Johns River are the most popular places for fishing in Florida, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species. The Fishing Boat Rental Page lists options for fishing boat rentals at some of these lakes.

Bass Lakes
Catfish Lakes
Crappie Lakes
Sunfish & Perch Lakes
Striped Bass Lakes

Florida is blessed with a diverse range of fishing lakes, offering both warm water and cold water fishing opportunities. The state's warm water lakes are renowned for their abundance of species and year-round fishing possibilities. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, and the species found in each lake.

Warm water lakes in Florida, such as Lake Okeechobee, Lake Kissimmee, and Lake Tohopekaliga, are teeming with a variety of fish species. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, and chain pickerel are commonly found in these lakes. Anglers can enjoy thrilling bass fishing action, targeting trophy-sized largemouth bass amidst the vast vegetation and structure. The warm water conditions also make these lakes ideal for crappie and sunfish, providing ample opportunities for panfish anglers.

On the other hand, Florida also boasts a few cold water lakes that offer a unique fishing experience. One notable example is Lake Talquin, known for its deep waters and cooler temperatures. This lake supports a range of cold water fish species, including striped bass, hybrid stripers, and black crappie. Anglers can enjoy the challenge of catching these species, particularly during the cooler months when they are more active.

The warm water lakes in Florida are particularly popular due to their abundance of species and the opportunity for year-round fishing. These lakes provide anglers with a chance to target a wide variety of warm water fish, from the coveted largemouth bass to the hard-fighting catfish and panfish species. With their expansive size and diverse habitat, Florida's warm water lakes offer endless fishing possibilities.

Meanwhile, the cold water lakes in Florida provide a refreshing change of pace for anglers seeking different fishing experiences. These lakes support cold water fish species that thrive in cooler temperatures, adding a unique element to the fishing landscape in the state.

Whether you're fishing in the warm water lakes for bass and panfish or exploring the cold water lakes for striped bass and crappie, Florida's fishing lakes offer an abundance of species and the opportunity for memorable angling adventures.

Visit the Florida fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the Florida map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating in FL at many of the most popular destinations in the state.