Bear Head Lake Fishing in Orange County, Florida

• Overview

  Bear Head Lake sits in Orange County, out in Florida. Tidal water begins 35 miles from here. Surface area runs to about 16 acres — small enough to read in one session. Belle Isle at 0.4 miles is the nearest place to stop. For a city, Orlando is 6.2 miles off. Round about: Bay Lake within 0.8 miles, Lake Conway 1.3 miles away, Lake Mary within 1.9 miles, Lake Warren 2.4 miles away and Lake Jessamine within 2.5 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Bear Head Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists bluegill, largemouth bass, blue tilapia, Florida gar and black crappie. Check the state or provincial list before planning around one species. Bear Head Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 82°F on average, January about 60°F. Wet and dry spells shape the year more than temperature. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. The season on Bear Head Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. A slipway half a mile out gives trailer access. A car park lies half a mile away, so the walk in is short. Mapping shows a jetty some half a mile off. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Bay Lake at 0.8 miles is the sensible second choice. What applies at Bear Head Lake may have changed since it was mapped.