There’s a little-known secret in Lake County that few local anglers would want anybody to know about. While many tourists and visiting fishermen to the Sunshine State choose coastal locations to drop a line, this Central Florida county of more than 1,000 named lakes offers some of the most diverse and abundant fishing opportunities in the state.

Regarded as a premier fishing destination in North America, Florida is often referred to as “The Fishing Capital of the World.” However, few areas in the state produce so many “big-catch” prospects as Lake County. During one month in 2005, more than 350 professional and amateur anglers converged for two separate nationally-televised fishing tournaments in Lake County.

Both tournaments were held on the Harris Chain, which is notorious for its supreme largemouth bass and fighting black crappie. The large 13,788-acre Lake Harris and smaller 3,359-acre Little Lake Harris provide some of the best fishing in the eight-lake Harris Chain.

Along with largemouth bass and black crappie, Lake Harris is also bountiful with other species such as bluegill, redear sunfish and sunshine bass. In fact, Lake Harris made the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) Top 10 list for sunfish fishing sites in 2005.

Also topping the list for best statewide fishing sites in 2005 are the St. Johns River and Lake George. Both bodies of water are located on the border of north Lake County. Lake George, the second largest lake in the state, is known for its incredible yield of trophy largemouth bass. It tops FWC’s list of Top 10 black bass fishing Areas for 2005.

The St. Johns River is the largest river in Florida as it stretches from west of Vero Beach to Jacksonville. The river tops two statewide fishing lists, weighing in as the fourth best site for catfish and the third best for striped, sunshine and white bass.

Other popular fishing locations in Lake County include the Clermont and Holly chains of lakes.

The Clermont Chain is comprised of 13 lakes that range from 20 to 3,634 acres. The Palatlakaha River, along with Lakes Minneola and Louisa, provide the best fishing opportunities on the Clermont Chain for largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish. Channel catfish are also abundant as 20-pound catches are not uncommon.

The Holly Chain is comprised of three lakes north of the City of Umatilla. The chain features unusual contours for Florida lakes. The deepest water is found near shore, with a ridge rising in the center. Bass are often found near the deep water closest to the shore and where the bottom rises to the center ridge.

For more information on Lake County’s freshwater fishing opportunities and fishing forecasts, log on to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC’s) Web site at http://floridafisheries.com.

	Fishing Destinations in Lake County, Florida Bass'n Gal Guide Service 24140 Highway 46 Sorrento, FL 32776 Phone: 1-866-383-1893 E-mail: llh30@comcast.net Web site: www.bassngalguideservice.com Guided Fishing Trips with Captain Lynda Hawkins. Alternate Phone: (352) 267-0062. Call or email for more information and reservations. Driving Directions Fisherman's Wharf 5101 Eagle's Nest Road Fruitland Park, FL 34731 Phone: (352) 360-0600 Fax: (352) 360-1111 Hours: 24 hours a day Facilities: 60 spaces/70 boat slips/public launch Driving Directions Footloose RV Resort 11711 Ocklawaha Drive Leesburg, FL 34788 Phone: (352) 253-1111 E-mail: info@footlooseresort.com Web site: www.footlooseresort.com/ Facilities: 10 Rental RV Spaces/6 Cottage Rentals/Boat Rentals/Waterfront on Haines Creek $35 daily, $195 weekly, $495 monthly 1 & 2 bedroom apts. available also Driving Directions Haines Creek RV Village 10121 County Road 44 Leesburg, FL 34788 Phone: (352) 728-5939 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. $26 daily, $150 weekly, $330 monthly Driving Directions Lake County Waterways Water Tours 400 W. Fourth Ave. Mount Dora, FL 32757 Phone: (352) 383-3933 Hours: Seven days a week Directions: On 441 Mount Dora turn S. on Donnelly St., then W. on 4th Ave. Go to the end of 4th beside the Yacht Club. Lunch & Dinner Cruises & Breathtaking Sunset Cruises Driving Directions Lake Harris Lodge 11924 Lane Park Road Tavares, FL 32778 Phone: (352) 343-4111 Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 7 days a week Facilities: 27 rentals/10 cottages/boat/ tackle/bait/store/ snacks/ dock/picnic/ guide/credit cards/$2 boat ramp charge/ from $50 (cottage) $15 RV’s Driving Directions Morgan's Mobile Home Park & Fish Camp 4056 Picciola Road Fruitland Park, FL 34731 Phone: (352) 787-4916 Hours: From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Facilities: bait/tackle/picnic $25 daily, $450-500 monthly Driving Directions Palm Gardens Marina and RV Park 11801 N. U.S. Highway 441 Tavares, FL 32778 Phone: (352) 343-2024 Fax: (352) 343-5516 Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 7 days a week E-mail: owner@palmgardensmarina.com Web site: www.palmgardensmarina.com/ Facilities: 14 rentals/20 RV spaces/boat/bait/ tackle/store/ snacks/dock/ guide/credit cards/from $45 (rentals) $10 (RV’s) Driving Directions Pure Enjoyment Fishing Charters 25844 Aberdovey Avenue Sorrento, FL 32776 Phone: (407) 402-2990 E-mail: captjohn@pureenjoymentfishing.com Web site: www.pureenjoymentfishing.com/ Driving Directions Black Bass Fishing Resort 10402 County Road 44 Leesburg, FL 34788 Phone: (352) 314-2123 Fax: (352) 314-2123 Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 7 days a week Facilities: bait/tackle/license/ store/snacks/picnic/$3 boat ramp charge/ dock/from $35 $45 daily, $165 weekly,$450 monthly Motels - $250 weekly, $65 daily Driving Directions Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 1239 S.W. 10th St. Ocala, FL 34474 Phone: (352) 732-1225 Web site: myfwc.com/ Driving Directions Front Street Bait & Tackle 55522 Front St. Astor, FL 32102 Phone: (352) 759-2795 Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Facilities: 7 rentals/boat/ bait/tackle/snacks/ dock/picnic/guide/ store/from $50 Driving Directions Harris Chain of Lakes Fishing Guide Service 24140 State Road 46 Sorrento, FL 32776 Phone: (352) 988-4805 E-mail: joedbasbt@comcast.net Web site: www.harrischainbassguideservice.com Guided Fishing Trips with Captain Joe Hussey Driving Directions Lake Griffin Marina 5620 Bertsville Road Lady Lake, FL Phone: (352) 753-3241 Hours: 24 hours a day Facilities: 11 rentals/bait/ tackle/store/snacks/ dock/picnic/credit cards Driving Directions Lazy Oaks Resort 1414 N. Lakeview Ave. Leesburg, FL Phone: (352) 787-3626 Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Directions: Off 27 at Piccola cut-off, turn right on the end of the street onto Piccola to Grove Ave., turn left at the end of the street, turn right almost instant into Lazy Oaks Facilities: 18 rentals/picnic/ guide/credit cards/$2 boat ramp charge/from $35 Driving Directions Nelson's Outdoor Resort 19400 S.E. Highway 42 Umatilla, FL 32784 Phone: (352) 821-3474 Hours: Daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Web site: www.nelsonsoutdoorresort.com Marina with fuel, pontoon boat rentals, live bait and tackle, boat ramp for $3.00, camping, cabins, restaurant, and country store. Driving Directions Pine Island Fish Camp 6808 Lake Griffin Road Lady Lake, FL 32159 Phone: (352) 753-2972 Hours: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Directions: From US 27/441 in Lady Lake, turn east on Lemon St. Go 1 Block. Turn Left on Lake Griffin. Drive 6 miles. (One mile past Harbor Hills Gate #1) Facilities: 33 rentals/boat/ bait/tackle/store/ snacks/dock/picnic/credit cards $25 daily, $125 weekly, $375 monthly Driving Directions Sorrento Bait and Tackle 24140 State Road 46 Sorrento, FL 32776 Phone: 1-866-383-1893 Hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. 7 days a week E-mail: info@sbtoutdoors.com Web site: www.sbtoutdoors.com/ Driving Directions