General Information for lakes in the Frostproof area.
Polk County is blessed with 550 lakes and 80
provide public access. A publication that provides direction to
Polk County lakes with public access can be obtained by
contacting Polk County Water Resources at (941) 534-7368. Most of
these lakes produce excellent sportfish populations. Phosphate
mining in the county has created thousands of acres of strip mine
lakes or "pits" that have gained national attention
among bass anglers. While most pits are closed to the public,
access is available at many sites. Contact the Florida Phosphate
Council P.O. Box 367, Lakeland, FL 33802, (813) 686-2880 for
information about public recreational opportunities.
Lake Arbuckle
Polk County's most pristine waterbody, this 3,828-acre
lake produces excellent bass, bluegill and crappie catches. On
the north end ofthe lake, boat access is on Lake Arbuckle Road
off North Lake Reedy Boulevard, south of CR 630, east of
Frostproof Very limited bank fishing.
Lake Reedy
Located in Frostproof, a boat ramp and limited
bank access is available in a park off North Lake Reedy Boulevard,
south of CR 630. This 3,486-acre lake has a very good fishery,
especially crappie fishing near the fish attractors during winter.
Lake Rosalie
A 4,579-acre clear lake, Rosalie has good bass
fishing in the spring and excellent crappie fishing in the winter.
Located east of Lake Wales on Lake Rosalie Road, west of Tiger
Lake Road and north off SR 6O, boats can be launched from the
park at the south end, and a small pier offers bank access.
Lake Weohyakapka
Better known as Lake Walk-in-the-Water, this 7,523-acre
lake is a popular fishing area east of Lake Wales. South of SR 60
off Lake Walk-In-Water Road, a county park is on the west shore
of the lake with a boat ramp but very limited bank access.
Lake Hamilton
This 2,162-acre chain of three lakes is located
just west of US Hwy. 27. Two boat ramps and a private fish camp
provide access to this beautiful lake. A fish attractor is marked
for anglers to locate and catch bass and panfish.
Lakes Julianna and
Mattie
Access to these Fish Management Areas is
through a private fee ramp located west of CR 559 off Fish Haven
Road at the Fish Haven Camp. A canal on the east side of Lake
Juliana provides the only access to Lake Mattie where crappie
fishing is consistently good from October through March. There is
no bank access to either lake.
Peace River
See Charlotte County. Boat ramp located at Fort
Meade Park off US Hwy. 98.
Winter Haven Chain of Lakes
Nine lakes compose this 6,000-acre chain where
fishing and boating are extremely popular. Boat and shore access
to the South Chain is available at lakes Summitt, Shipp, Howard,
Cannon, and Hartridge. The North Chain can be accessed through
lakes Rochelle and Haines. Sunshine bass are stocked in both the
South and North Chain. Fish attractors are located and marked in
lakes Howard, Winterset, Cannon, Smart, and Haines. Successful
bass anglers try "flipping" shoreline plants such as
cattail and maidencane. Lake Cannon is located off Lake Cannon
Drive, south of SR 544, and Lake Shipp is off CR 655, south of SR
540. The North Chain's Lake Conine is located east of US Hwy. 17
off SR 544, and Lake Haines is east of US Hwy. 92 at the end of
East Haines Boulevard.
Lake Parker
Located just north of Lakeland, Lake Parker is
a 2,272-acre Fish Management Area with very good largemouth bass
and bluegill fishing. Sunshine bass are stocked and can be caught
during the winter near the power plant at the southeast corner of
the lake. A long fishing pier has been built by the plant and
provides excellent fishing. A city park located at Glendale
Avenue and Lakeshore Drive has a boat ramp and abundant bank
access.
Saddle Creek Park
This 326-acre Fish Management Area is a
phosphate lake with five boat ramps and extensive bank fishing.
Fish attractors have been installed adjacent to fishing piers.
Special regulations on bass harvest and other activities are
posted. Saddle Creek Park offers a variety of outdoor activities
and is located off US Hwy. 92, just east of Lakeland.
Tenoroc Fish mangement Area
Located east of Lakeland off CR 33, this 6,000-acre
area managed by the Commission offers many recreational
activities such as hiking and picnicking, as well as excellent
fishing in 1,000 acres of phosphate lakes. Eight to 10 1akes are
open for fishing and managed to provide high quality angling.
Special regulations stressing catch-and-release of largemouth
bass apply. The area is open Thursday through Sunday and fishing
reservations can be made by calling (813) 499-2422 Thursday
through Sunday between noon and 4 p.m.
Lakes Kissimmee and Hatchineha
These renowned bass and crappie producers
border Polk County but primarily are located in Osceola County.
Refer to the Central Region Fishing Guide.