Winter Haven Chain of Lakes | Florida Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions

Specs(Crappie) are being caught along grass lines. Use baitfish patterns in white, black and/or brown/olive in size 6, 8, or 10. Also, we've heard about more great spec fishing in the lily pads. Jig vertically through holes in the pads. Hunter tied a weedless jig, specifically for this. Olive, Tan, or brown are best at the moment, but have some brights available. Jig style flies with squirmito tails were very effective last fall. Classic popper fishing is recommended at sunrise. Colors seem to be important as the fish are selective. Popper dropper rigs are a very good way to fish. Use the flies from your trout trip; they work great as droppers. If you are buying flies, bigger nymphs (sz 12) in prince or hare's ear patterns. Get these flies on the bottom.

Fishing Report Last Updated:

11 / 8 / 2018

Choose A Different River Here

Southern Biscayne Bay & Key Largo
Miami Area & Northern Biscayne Bay
Everglades National Park
Florida Bay
Florida Keys
Mosquito Lagoon
Naples to Everglades
Orlando Area Lakes and Ponds
Pine Island Sound
Sarasota Bay
Tampa Bay

Fishing Conditions

Fly Fishing Winter Haven Chain of Lakes is currently Good

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby:

Water flow:

Visibility: 22 inches

Water temperature at mid-day: 81 Degrees F

Water condition: Stained

Best time of day to fish: Bookends (sunrise and sunset)

Best stretch:

Best access point:

Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:

Dragonflies

Fish species: Largemouth Bass, Panfish, Crappie, Gar, Grass Carp

Fishing season: Year Round

Nearest airport: Orlando International Airport

Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader

Recommended fly fishing tippet: 2X Tippet

Best fly fishing rod: 9' 6 Weight Fly Rod

Best floating fly line: Freshwater Bass WF Fly Line

Best sinking fly line: Class V Sink Tip Fly Line

Fly Name:	Fly Color:	Fly 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

Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Description

The Winter Haven Chain of Lakes is a large group of around 60 different lakes located midway between Orlando and Tampa. A little less than an hours drive from either one of these metro areas you can find access via boat ramps on about a dozen of the lakes many of which are connected by a canal system allowing boaters into most all the lakes during higher water.

Most of the lakes are shallow ...

Techniques & Tips

There was plenty of action on night time bass this week-marking a change in the fishing. A cool front has mornings at a delightful temp. Bass should be in 4-8ft of water. Weighted baitfish patterns can get deep to these fish on the weedlines. Using a sink tip will make countdown times much shorter for these fish. There is continued success on small white shad, and baby bass, baitfish patterns.

7-Day Forecast

We forecast good to excellent fishing on top water in the mornings, and for schooling bass in 4-8 feet of water. Last week was a full moon with clear skies; encouraging nighttime feeding. With the moon phase changing we see prime feeding moving to morning during the week. Partly cloudy, falling pressure, temps 65-80. Rain is forecast on Thursday and Friday. Wind is an issue all week in the afternoon. Lake levels are still high, but lower than last week. Kissimmee River at the dam (below Hwy 60) is down a large amount since last week, dropping below seasonal norms. Peace River at Arcadia and Econ River at Oviedo have dropped very quickly, and are low for this time. Myakka River is at normal levels. Hillsborough and Withlacoochee are about normal for this time of year. Normal river levels are falling with the season. Lake levels should slowly recede, and are approaching desirable levels.