Complete Guide to Fishing in Lake Wales FL
In Polk County, Florida, there’s a region of twin large lakes and other water bodies, nationally known for fishing, especially for largemouth bass. Lake Wales is located east of Tampa, west of Lake Kissimmee in central Florida, and is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. Lake Wales, FL, is south of Interstate 4, only an hour’s drive from Orlando and Tampa international airports. The main water body here is Lake Wailes, formerly known as Watts Lake.
This name was changed by the surveyor Sidney Irving Wailes in 1879 to present-day Lake Wales. Lake Wales is part of peninsular Florida, the land of a thousand lakes. Alongside Lake Wales, Polk County has more than 300 small, medium, and large clear lakes, more than sufficient to furnish all-year-round fishing charters. This spot is most thought of for its top-notch bass fishing guides, but it’s also located only an hour from excellent saltwater fishing trips.
Freshwater Fishing
Anglers can fish in the main lake in Lake Wales, nearby lakes, reservoirs, streams, and other permitted water bodies. This county has 23 rivers, streams, and canals, as well as 54 lakes and ponds, within its 458 sq. miles of watershed. Before the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission implemented catch-and-release restrictions, this lake had been overharvested for bass. Lake Wales bounced back as an excellent bass fishery after officials enforced these regulations.
The availability of large hydrilla patches that have been kept under control has encouraged a ripe bass ecosystem, much to anglers’ joy. Anglers can successfully target crappie, redear sunfish, drum, bluegill, or bream in Lake Wales or nearby lakes Crystal and Cooper. Whether you’re fly fishing, trolling, baitcasting, or spin casting, there’s a favorite spot where the bass is biting in Lake Wales. There are numerous small water bodies for visitors to fish, but the top fishing places to catch a Florida trophy with a guide are Lake Kissimmee, Lake Toho, and Winter Haven.
Best Fishing Spots
Lake Kissimmee is about 30 minutes from Lake Wales and is known for its trophy largemouth bass. This is one of the best destinations to experience actual Florida bass fishing any time of the year. Another excellent fishery, located within 30 minutes of Lake Wales, is the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, renowned for its consistent largemouth bass fishing.
Lake Wales, FL, is also only an hour from Lake Toho, one of the best bass lakes to experience in Florida. Lake Toho is highly prized for its trophy largemouth bass, with fish near the double digits consistently produced there. Other great options in this area are Lake Walk-in-Water and Lake Istokpoga.
Techniques
Throughout late spring, summer, and early fall, largemouth bass fishing is steady while the water is still warm. Fisherfolk frequently haul in three to five-pounders using live wild shiners, plastic jigs, worms, and artificial or suspended jerk-baits. Early winter doesn’t end the angling, as you can employ shad imitators to attract schooling bass and other species that feed in shallow areas.
Lipless spinnerbaits and crankbaits provide some of the best topwater strikes, or you can work weedless baits like speed worms and frogs from the shore’s vegetation to see action. There’s an abundance of native vegetation on Lake Wales’s shoreline, such as maiden cane, Kissimmee, knotgrass, and bulrush, also called buggy whips. Quality bass, shell crackers, or redear sunfish, as well as bream or bluegill, typically bed around the bulrushes on Lake Wales’ shoreline.
There’s trophy bass here, with fish exceeding eight and 10 pounds caught for tagging during a recent electrofishing survey. You’ll find other fish on and near Lake Wales, FL, including catfish, bullhead, bowfin, redbreast sunfish, and pickerel.
Crappie Fishing In Lake Wales, FL
One of the best techniques for targeting crappie on Lake Wales is using wild shiners, live Missouri minnows, and a good soft plastic worm. Quality crappie live in vast grass beds, and you can catch a suitable number without putting pressure on them. There are two crappie species, black and white, that occur in Lake Wales and throughout Florida’s freshwater lakes. Crappie is prolific here, and anglers can harvest up to 25 fish thanks to the state’s generous daily limits.
You can catch the tasty panfish by dangling a live minnow near vegetative cover or working it under a float, log, or tree. Anglers in Lake Wales achieve productive results with spider rigging, also known as slow trolling, which is considered the most effective method for crappie fishing. Crappie will not resist the swirling blades that mimic the movements of wounded shad, and the larger your bait, the more you’re likely to snag that monster fish.
Saltwater Fishing
Lake Wales is about an hour to Tampa for some incredible saltwater fishing. Experience the scenic Tampa Bay for top-notch inshore fishing charters, or travel to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico with offshore fishing guides on a deep-sea trip.
Inshore
The coastal waters of Tampa Bay feature flats, passes, and oyster bars that are home to all of Florida’s most popular game fish, including Tarpon, Redfish, Snook, and various Sharks, year-round. Mangrove snappers are also highly abundant in Tampa Bay. There’s never a bad time for inshore fishing in the bay. Summer, however, is the busiest season here when Snook and Tarpon are in the most abundance. Redfish, speckled trout, pompano, and more are also abundant in the warmer months.
A winter fishing trip in the bay is excellent near the bridges, docks, and reefs for trout, sheepshead, flounder, and black drum. Other popular catches on a fishing trip, anytime of the year, are Jack Crevalle, Spanish Mackerel, Ladyfish, Cobia, and Grouper.
Offshore
Offshore fishing charters often depart from Clearwater or St. Pete, providing direct access to the Gulf of Mexico’s numerous wrecks and reefs. Nearshore charters can stay relatively close to shore, while an actual offshore fishing trip takes place over 30 miles out. Grouper and Red snapper are abundant but require a fishing trip further offshore. You’ll see more mackerel, permit, tunny, barracuda, and shark on a nearshore fishing charter. If targeting a pelagic trophy, the summer is best for offshore fishing charters.
The local fishing guides will plan your trip based to the length you booked; on shorter trips, there are always fish biting closer to shore, and on longer trips, big fish can be caught further offshore.
Top Lake Wales Bass Fishing Guides
Meet the team of Lake Wales bass fishing guides. We know the best spots, baits, and techniques to give you the most outstanding fishing experience in Lake Wales.
To see a complete list of excellent Lake Wales bass fishing guides, please click here!
Fishing Guides
The Lake Wales fishing guides team has gotten together to provide great conditions and excellent customer service for a well-rounded outdoor experience. Your professional captain is a local expert who has spent a lifetime learning these waters and the spots that hold fish year-round. Whether you prefer live bait fishing or using artificial bait, there is a Bassonline guide ready to get you on some Florida fish.
We have captains who work with experienced anglers looking to learn new techniques or explore the area, as well as novice anglers seeking a fun, educational experience. Our team loves getting first-timers hooked on fishing. Your captain will have ice and water on board; you are welcome to bring snacks and additional beverages.
Area Things To Do
This Central Florida spot is one of the best fishing destinations near there, offering something for every traveler to enjoy. Lake Wales, FL, has a collection of beautiful gardens, outdoor concert sites, museums, plenty of art, and a historic downtown. Popular attractions include Bok Tower Gardens, Spook Hill, Lake Ashton Golf Course, Joker Marchant Stadium, the Tampa Museum of Art, and the Polk Theatre.
Now that you have experienced fishing Lake Wales, we also have great deals available on Florida fishing charters in the following cities that match your search criteria.
