Lake Istokpoga Florida

Highlands County’s 27,692-acre lake is five miles northeast of Lake Placid. It’s known for great fishing, especially for black crappie and largemouth bass. The best time for speck fishing is in winter, drifting over open water in the northeast and southwest corners.

BIG BASS LAKE

The lake is full of aquatic plants like spadderdock, bulrush, cattail, and pondweed. Kissimmee grass on the south end is great for fishing when the Istokpoga Canal is flowing. The canal, off County Highway 621, offers excellent bass fishing from the bank when the gates are open.

Arbuckle and Josephine Creek mouths are also good spots with flow. The island areas and grass can hold bass all year. The deepest part of the lake is in the southwest corner, at 10 ft deep.

There are public boat ramps on the north, northeast, and southwest shores. You can also find six fish camps/resorts on the lake. Anglers can wade fish off the Cow House Road boat ramp.

Bluegill and redear sunfish fishing has gotten better, with fish gathering in their usual spots. Use crickets and grass shrimp for bream and red wigglers for shellcrackers. Look for areas with bulrush, Kissimmee grass, or cattails for the best action.

LAKE PLACID FLORIDA 33852 COME VIST

Speck fishing is slow now, but they can still be caught. Try drifting live Missouri minnows and grass shrimp in open water. Or troll with Napier deer hair jigs and Hal flies for schooling fish.

Largemouth bass fishing has slowed down, but they can still be caught. Use slow-working baits like plastic worms or crawfish style baits in Junebug, black and blue, and red shad colors. Remember to be patient while working these baits.

As the sun reaches its peak, start flipping thick vegetation with deeper water nearby for bass seeking shade. Use a large weight and a crawfish-style bait for a reaction strike. A braided line and heavy action rod are key for landing fish.

Summer is a good time to use electronics to find fish “offshore”. Schools of bass like contour changes and brush piles in deeper water. Mark your spot and try different presentations before moving on.

If bass won’t bite, try the same spot again later. Building confidence in using electronics can lead to memorable summer days. Bass can also be caught shallow during the summer bluegill spawn. Throw bladed or swim-style jigs in black and blue to catch bass chasing bluegill. Tight lines!