Fishing Season: Year Round

Winter Haven Chain of Lakes - FL

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

72

Andy Thornal Company's Tip of the Week

After this much rain, don’t automatically head for your favorite grass bed. Look for baitfish and gentle, fishable current. Bass often concentrate where water is moving, but avoid heavy runoff and floating debris. With easterly winds in the forecast, a protected shoreline beats fighting the breeze all morning.

Directions open in app

Map of Winter Haven Chain of Lakes

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 11/3/26

The November 2 National Weather Service forecast calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms through Wednesday, with easterly gusts reaching 25 mph Monday and Tuesday. Highs will generally be in the 80s. Thursday and Friday look considerably drier, making late week our best opportunity. Check radar and ramp conditions before launching.

Techniques & Tips as of 11/3/26

On the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, concentrate on submerged vegetation, lily-pad edges, docks, and schooling shad. FWC’s seasonal forecast identifies bass schooling over submerged grass, with speck fishing improving as temperatures cool. Start with a white Clouser or Schminnow. Keep a Game Changer handy when bass are chasing larger bait. During calm mornings, don’t overlook poppers and Dahlberg Divers. Bluegill anglers should try small foam spiders and rubber-legged nymphs. Bottom line: Let the weather settle, find the bait, and don’t be afraid to throw a bigger, badder fly!

Local Species Available Year Round

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    Largemouth Bass

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    Panfish

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    Crappie

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    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 6
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig natural 16
Clouser Minnow white 6
Elk Wing Caddis tan 14
Weedless Sneaky Pete Popper chartruese 6
Orvis CJ Nymph olive
Game Changer White 2
Rubber Spider white/Gree 10

Clouser Minnow

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

4.99

Item #02JX

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Andy Thornal Company's Recommended Gear

Description: About Winter Haven Chain of Lakes

There are 50 lakes that either touch or located within the City of Winter Haven that cover an estimated 5,200 acres. There are two chains of lakes…the Northern Chain has 8 interconnected lakes and the Southern Chain has 16 lakes all connected at the same elevation. These chains are connected by a lock which is open to the public. The Winter Haven Chain is the headwaters for the Peace River. These are dozens of small lakes in the city, some with boat access, others with fishing access from shore.Bass, Bluegill and Crappie are popular sport fish targets. Other species are carp, catfish , and gar.

Nearest Airport:

Orlando International Airport

Hatches:

Mayflies, Clousers, frogs

Best Time to Fish:

Morning