There are numerous rivers and freshwater lakes in Central Florida filled with great fish, mainly black bass but enthusiasts can also catch pike, sunfish and perch. In order to fish in Orlando you do need an angling fishing license that can be bought from sporting-goods stores, fishing camps, Kmarts and Wal-Marts. Saltwater licenses are a little more difficult to locate so you do want to call ahead in order to be sure you will get the license you need. Obviously, if you go to a private lake you will need the permission of the owner, as is the case with Disney World.
Main Orlando Fishing Spots
The main fishing waters in Central Florida are Conway, Butler, lake Tohopekaliga and Lake Kissimmee. Tohopekaliga is particularly appreciated by extreme fishing enthusiasts as the area can be quite rough.
Trophy fish are usually caught in Kissimmee and Toho between the months of November and April. Butler is great for creels and you will love the scenery. If you want to catch crappie and largemouth bass, try Kissimmee and Toho. With Butler you can fish pickerel, huge catfish from time to time and a good supply of largemouth.
Remember that the largest Orlando lakes are filled with alligators. They are harmless if you do not swim during the night and you do not want to have small pets with you.
Best Fishing Camps
You can find various great fishing camps in Orlando, mainly lakeside campgrounds. They normally draw in huge crowds though so you do want to book ahead. Some options you do want to consider include:
- Bass Challenger Guide – You are taken where fishing is really good based on when you visit, usually to areas around St. Johns River and Lake Toho. You would need to pay around $300 for 2 people if you want a half day experience, with full day trips usually starting at $400, plus the little extras like bait and licenses.
- Boggy Creek Resort & RV Park – In the past this spot was known as East Lake Fish Camp. The spot includes a fishing store, a restaurant and boat renting. The camp is truly great for those that travel via RV, with 286 sites available. There are also 24 cabins available but you should book weeks in advance during spring and winter.
- Lake Charters – Between the months of November and May you can book trips on Lake Tohopekaliga, with April being the main season. This has been going on for over twenty years so you can expect a great experience. Costs will include fishing equipment and all the licenses you require will be available on-site.
- Lake Toho Resort – 200 RV sites wait for you in a location that is highly popular, being booked all around the year and featuring water and electrical hookups, together with rinks, food and even live bait. You just pay around $350 per month or $30 per night.
Hiring Fishing Guides
In all the locations mentioned above and in most others that you could consider in Orlando there are fishing guides that you can make suitable arrangements with. Rates are going to vary but you can expect to pay around $250 for the half day experience. The fishing guides are normally part timers so making arrangements ahead of time is usually a very good idea.
