Fishing Season: Year Round

Orlando Area Lakes and Ponds - FL

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

80

Andy Thornal Company's Tip of the Week

Bass fishing should offer good opportunities across the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, particularly around submerged vegetation and baitfish concentrations. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission identifies schooling bass over submerged vegetation as a productive seasonal pattern. Lake Hartridge’s pondweed, Lake Eloise’s docks and cypress trees, and the grass beds of Lake Winterset are worthwhile starting points.  On Lake Tohopekaliga, concentrate on hydrilla openings, bulrushes, and areas where moving water attracts baitfish. Lake Kissimmee offers similar opportunities around vegetation, particularly near Philadelphia Point and the Pig Trail.

Directions open in app

Map of Orlando Area Lakes and Ponds

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 10/22/26

October is bringing cooler mornings and changing bass behavior. The Winter Haven Chain of Lakes remains our primary focus. Schooling bass over submerged vegetation as an important seasonal opportunity. Look for bass around grass beds, docks, lily pads, and concentrations of shad. Lake Tohopekaliga offers opportunities around offshore vegetation and openings in hydrilla. Recent guide reports describe productive fishing with jerkbaits, soft plastics, and other artificial lures. On Lake Kissimmee, concentrate on bulrush edges, hydrilla openings, and protected shorelines.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/22/26

Poppers and Dahlberg Divers are good early-morning choices. Keep a white Clouser Minnow or Game Changer handy for schooling bass. Bluegill anglers should try small foam spiders and rubber-legged poppers around shoreline cover.

Local Species Available Year Round

  • Fish Icon

    Largemouth Bass

  • Fish Icon

    Panfish

  • Fish Icon

    Crappie. Gar

  • Fish Icon

    Grass Carp

Andy Thornal Company's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Clouser Minnow white/tan 6
Woolly Bugger olive 8
Mini Pop Popper white 6
rubbber legged spider white 10
Game Changer white 2

Clouser Minnow

This fly is arguably the best all-around and most recommended saltwater fly ever tied.

4.99

Item #02JX

Buy Now

Andy Thornal Company's Recommended Gear

Description: About Orlando Area Lakes and Ponds

There are almost too many different lakes and ponds to count the the Greater Orlando area. Nearly all of them from the roadside ditches to the bigger lakes such as Lake Conway and Clear Lake hold great populations of fish. Lake Santiago, Lake Lorna Doone, Lake Richmond, Lake Ivanhoe, and Clear Lake provide great access for shorebound anglers looking to catch a fish. The size, water clarity, and depth vary greatly from lake to lake but you're likely to find Largemouth Bass, Crappie, assorted panfish, and Gar willing to take a topwater popper or streamer. There are several rivers in the area with limited access including the Econ (Econlockhatchee), Wekiva, and St Johns.

Nearest Airport:

Orlando International Airport

Best Time to Fish:

mornign Twilight, Evening Twilight