Bird Lake Fishing Guide, Hillsborough County, Florida

• Overview

  Set in Hillsborough County, Bird Lake is a Florida water. Warm green lowland runs right down to the water. At 24 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Supplies mean a trip to Northdale, 1.8 miles off. Lake Magdalene lies 1.9 miles off, Greater Northdale another 2.9 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Bird Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists largemouth bass, bluegill, dollar sunfish and swamp darter. The records cover the area rather than this water alone. Work Bird Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 82°F, while January sits near 60°F. Nothing shuts down for cold, so the question is when in the day to go. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Plan around that when you fish Bird Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Platt Lake at 0.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the current arrangement for Bird Lake.