Lake Clinch
Lake Clinch, Florida, is a 1207 acre natural freshwater lake located on the west side of Frostproof in Polk County. The lake is surrounded mainly by residents and has no public swimming areas.
However, there is a Lake Clinch public boat ramp on the southwest side of Frostproof. In addition, the city of Frostproof has a public Florida state park on the eastern shore of Lake Clinch. The average depth of Lake Clinch is 16 feet, with the deepest spots of the lake reaching 55 feet.
Lake Clinch offers some incredible local fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill.
Largemouth Bass Fishing
Lake Clinch is known for being a relatively consistent fishery. Many fishing spots hold largemouth bass throughout the year. Anglers can also catch warmouth, bluegill, pumpkinseed, sunfish, bowfin, alligator gar, and blue catfish. Some popular Florida saltwater fish, such as the common snook, also find their way into Lake Clinch.
Anglers using all types of fishing styles are found here: fly fishing, baitcasting, drift fishing, or trolling. Lake Clinch’s most productive fishing spots are near steep shore banks, cliffs, or holes.
Lake Clinch is close to other popular fishing spots for catching trophy largemouth bass, including Lake Weohyakapka, commonly known as Lake Walk In Water.
Fishing Trips
Anyone interested in fishing Lake Clinch should consult with local guides and resources before heading out to fish.
Surrounding Area
Fort Clinch State Park
The Fort Clinch State Park is a Florida State Park located on a peninsula near the northernmost point of Amelia Island, along the Amelia River.
Its 1,100 acres (4 km²) include the 19th century Fort Clinch, sand dunes, plains, maritime hammock, and estuarine tidal marsh.
Recreation Activities
Frostproof is known for its numerous freshwater lakes, suitable for fishing, swimming, and water skiing. In addition, Lake Clinch is close to Highland’s Hammock State Park, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, Sebring Raceway, Historic Bok Sanctuary, Walt Disney World, Sea World, and Busch Gardens.
Nearby Attractions
There is a golf course next door with public access nearby Lake Clinch for those who enjoy fishing or golf. In addition, visitors can enjoy learning the history of the area around Lake Clinch at the Arbuckle Wildlife Management Area of Lake Wales State Forest.
Industry
Chief industries are citrus production, cattle, fertilizer plant, truck farming, distribution center.
History
A fort was built alongside a cove of Clinch on January 13, 1830. General A.P. Hill, George C. Meade, and “Stonewall” Jackson were the men who once served there. Just northwest of the fort site was the homestead of Dosier Keen and his family. Unfortunately, the home burned down on January 23, 1939. In the 1950s, the land was owned by Iva Langford. George Washington Hendry constructed the first cabin between the lakes near here. He named the area Keystone City.
To the south was a waterway known as “the drain,” which emptied Clinch Lake into Reedy Lake, which was 27 feet lower in elevation. In 1871, Stephen Washington Carson and his family homesteaded two miles east of Fort Meade. They planted corn, cotton, cassava, watermelons, beans, potatoes, and peas there. In 1886, they moved to a new home site and planted the first citrus groves in Frostproof. His was the only citrus from Florida to enter the Atlanta Fair in 1897, as it survived the severe freezes of 1894 and 1895.