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.

	Guided Fishing Charters in Lake County, Florida Bass N Gal Guide Service 24140 State Road 46 Sorrento, FL 32776 Phone: 1-866-383-1893 Fax: (352) 383-1185 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 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 Revolution The Off Road Experience 4000 State Road 33 Clermont, FL 34714 Phone: (352) 400-1322 Hours: 24/7 364 days a year E-mail: aj@revolutionoffroad.com Web site: www.revolutionoffroad.com Offers an assortment of driving and water sports activities from $69.99 for an 80-minute ride on an ATV to a 2 1/2-hour experience for $149 on ATVs 4x4 and Dune Buggy. Fishing experience for $200 plus water skiing from $60. Driving Directions Fishing Unlimited 24948 Butler St. Astor, FL 32102 Phone: (352) 759-2446 E-mail: captnroger@aol.com Web site: www.fishingunlimitedastor.com Call for pricing. Driving Directions Pure Enjoyment Fishing Charters 2027 Meadowside Drive Eustis, FL 32726 Phone: (407) 402-2990 E-mail: captjohn@pureenjoymentfishing.com Web site: www.pureenjoymentfishing.com Driving Directions Great Fishing Spots in Lake County, Florida 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 E-mail: blackbass44@aol.com Web site: www.blackbassresort.com Facilities include bait & tackle store with snacks, picnic area, $3 boat ramp charge and dock. RV rates are $35-$45 daily, $165 weekly and $450 monthly. Motel rates $250 weekly and $65 daily. 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 Front Street Bait & Tackle 55522 Front St. Astor, FL 32102 Phone: (352) 759-2795 Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Web site: www.frontstreet-bait.com Facilities: 7 rentals/boat/ bait/tackle/snacks/ dock/picnic/guide/ store/from $50 Driving Directions Lake Griffin Marina 5620 Bertsville Road Lady Lake, FL 32159 Phone: (352) 753-3241 Hours: 24 hours a day Facilities feature 11 rentals, bait & tackle store with snacks, dock, picnic area and credit cards are accepted. Driving Directions Lazy Oaks Resort 1414 N. Lake View Ave. Leesburg, FL 34748 Phone: (352) 787-3626 Driving Directions Nelson's Outdoor Resort 19400 S.E. Highway 42 Umatilla, FL 32784 Phone: (352) 821-3474 Fax: (352) 821-3553 Hours: Daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. E-mail: info@nelsonsoutdoorresort.com 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 Umatilla Bait & Tackle 563 N. Central Hwy. (U.S. Hwy. 19) Umatilla, FL 32784 Phone: (352) 669-0185 E-mail: umatillabaitandtackle@gmail.com Directions: Cross Streets: Between W. Collins St. and Palmetto St. Driving Directions Blue Creek Area Vacation Rental 56546 Pecan Road Astor, FL 32102 Phone: (352) 759-3377 Hours: 24/7 E-mail: weightless1@juno.com Web site: www.astorflorida.com A computer is available along with Internet and computer games. Driving Directions Footloose RV Resort 11711 Ocklawaha Drive Leesburg, FL 34788 Phone: (352) 253-1111 E-mail: footlooseresort@gmail.com Web site: www.footlooseresort.com Facilities include 13 RV spaces, six cottage rentals, boat rentals and waterfront on Haines Creek. Rates are $35 daily, $195 weekly and $495 monthly Also available are apartments with one and two bedrooms. Driving Directions Haines Creek RV Village 10121 County Road 44 E. Leesburg, FL 34788 Phone: (352) 728-5939 Fax: (352) 728-5798 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. E-mail: info@hainescreekrvvillage.com Web site: www.hainescreekrvvillage.com $30 daily, $175 weekly, $350 monthly 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 E-mail: info@lakeharrislodge.com Web site: www.lakeharrislodge.com Facilities include 27 rentals, 10 cottages, tackle & bait store with snacks, dock, picnic area, guides are available, credit cards are accepted, $2 boat ramp charge and lodging is from $50 for cottages and $15 for RV spaces. 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 1661 Palm Gardens St. 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 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