If Florida is the “Fishing Capital of the World” then Central Florida’s Polk County could easily be considered the “Freshwater Fishing Capital of the Fishing Capital.”
It’s not just our region’s more than 550 lakes that occupy over 135 square miles that draw fishing enthusiasts to Polk County; it’s also the diversity of freshwater habitats and the variety of fish species that inhabit area waterways that keep em’ coming back for more. It’s not difficult to understand why we earn consistent recognition as one of the top freshwater fishing destinations in the world.
Largemouth Bass Capital of the World
The best known and most popular game fish in the world – The Largemouth Bass – just so happens to be Florida’s state freshwater fish. The title “Largemouth Bass Capital of the World” is a testament to the king of the Polk County waters, the Largemouth Black Bass. Our temperate climate not only produces an abundance of largemouth bass, but allows them to reach impressive sizes.
Lakes for Bass Fishing
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Tenoroc Fish Management Area, Mosaic Fish Management Area and the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes regularly produce catches of 10+ pound bass. The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes produced two B.A.S.S. all-time records: Dean Rojas’ record five bass limit weight of 45 pounds, 2 ounces (which still stands today) and the then-record four-day catch of 108 pounds and 12 ounces, caught during the 2006 Bassmaster Classic.
Cast for More than Bass in Central Florida
In addition to Largemouth bass, Polk County produces quality bluegill, crappie, bream, sunshine bass, catfish, gar, tilapia and chain pickerel. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission includes a high percentage of Polk County lakes in their rankings of top fisheries for specific species. Six of our lakes are in their top 13 lakes for crappie, and four Polk County lakes are listed in the FWC’s top 14 bream lakes. Many of the top largemouth bass lakes also rank highly in quality crappie and bream production including Lake Weohyakapka, Tenoroc Fish Management Area, Mosaic Fish Management Area, the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.
TMC Guide Service
![parents and 2 sons with lake in background. dad holding fish. TMC Guide Service](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TMC-Guide-Services-Central-FLorida-Bass-fishing-with-Scott-Taylor-500x300.jpg)
Capt. Scott Taylor of TMC Guide Service is a USCG licensed captain with his Masters…
Address:
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 855-354-8433
Scott@TMCGuideService.comCamp Mack, a Guy Harvey Resort
![Motorhome and boat under an oak tree at Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Resort, RV campsite near Lake Wales, FL](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Camp-Mack-RV-Resort-Motorhome-and-Boat-on-paver-slab-500x300.jpg)
Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort in Lake Wales offers premium…
Address: 14900 Camp Mack Rd.
Lake Wales, FL 33898
Phone: (800) 243-8013
info@guyharveycampmack.comSouthern Outdoorsman Guide Service
![Southern Outdoorsman Guide Service](jpg/fishing-guides.jpg)
Southern Outdoorsman Guide Service offers largemouth bass fishing and wildlife airboat excursions.
Address: PO Box 7718
Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855
Phone: 863-692-2208
captdick@bassfishingguide.comBud’s RV Park & Marina
![Bud’s RV Park & Marina](jpg/fishing-guides.jpg)
Bud's RV Park & Marina is a fishing and hunting camp in Lake Wales with…
Address: 1700 Tiger Lake Rd.
Lake Wales, FL 33898
Phone: (863) 696-2274
Jennings Resort
![Jennings Resort](jpg/fishing-guides.jpg)
Jennings Resort in on Lake Pierce in Lake Wales. The resort offers cabin rentals, RV…
Address: 4325 Jennings Fish Camp Rd.
Lake Wales, FL 33898
Phone: (863) 439-3811
office@jenningsresort.comCentral Florida Bucketmouths
![man holding large mouth bass while fishing with Central Florida Bucketmouths](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Central-Florida-Bucketmouths-500x300.jpg)
Central Florida Bucketmouths offers guided bass fishing adventures in Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes, Lake…
Address: 2403 7th St SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Phone: 863-661-7226
montegoodman1@gmail.comCamp Lester Fishing Camp
![Camp Lester Fishing Camp](jpg/fishing-guides.jpg)
Camp Lester Fishing Camp in Lake Wales offers cabins, RV spots and a boat ramp.
Address: 14400 Reese Dr.
Lake Wales, FL 33898
Phone: (863) 696-1123
leocosce@yahoo.comTenoroc Fish Management Area
![Tenoroc Fish Management Area](jpg/fishing-guides.jpg)
The limited access and catch and release fishing practices at Tenoroc mean their lakes yield…
Address: 3829 Tenoroc Mine Rd
Lakeland, FL 33805
Phone: 863-648-3200
Memory Makin’ Guides
![Memory Makin’ Guides](jpg/fishing-guides.jpg)
Memory Makin’ Guides owner Reno Alley holds a USCG Captain's License and has over 30…
Address:
Frostproof, FL
Phone: 863-632-0304
reno@memorymakinguides.com