Fishing Season: Year Round

Orlando Area Lakes and Ponds - FL

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

86

Andy Thornal Company's Tip of the Week

Good topwater action during twilight hours. Morning and evening topwater can produce some of the best fishing of the year. Poppers in baitfish colorations are a favorite, including white and/or black. Small and large poppers will be effective. Schooling shad in the middle of some lakes can produce fast and furious action. Work the school on the edges with small white baitfish patterns like a Clouser, Schminnow, or EP minnow. Bluegill are cruising the weediness and invading bass beds. Trout nymphs can be effective in a dropper rig. Weedless micro poppers are perfect. For trophy Bass, use a big fly like a Gamechanger or Dahlberg style diver on a sinking line near the middle of the lake. These flies push a lot of water, and attract bigger fish.

Directions open in app

Map of Orlando Area Lakes and Ponds

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 12/23/24

Big poppers and sliders can produce fish at the right time of day. We all know that the bottom patterns, creature flies, worm flies, bushy buggers, will agitate a strike. Small minnow patterns working weedlines will produce buck bass and bluegill. Reaction type baits are popular in conventional fishing with a fast action. Gamechangers (count them down to depth) and heavy clousers fished with quick strips are great fly versions of reaction style fishing.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/23/24

Morning and evening Topwater are producing some great Bass. Dragpon flies are everywhere. Bigger badder fly patterns are for the big fish, this time of year.

Local Species Available Year Round

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    Largemouth Bass

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    Panfish

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    Crappie. Gar

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    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
Troutmaster Nymph - Hare's Ear red 12
Turk's Tarantula tan 12
rubbber legged spider white 10
Game Changer white 2
Mini Pop Popper white 6
Bugmeister yellow 6

Clouser Minnow

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

3.99

Item #02JX

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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

Hatches:

Dragonflies, frogs

Best Time to Fish:

mornign Twilight, Evening Twilight