Catfish Lake near Land O' Lakes: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Catfish Lake sits in Hillsborough County, out in Florida. The surface lies 79 feet up. At roughly 23 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. The closest town, Land O' Lakes, is 2.2 miles away. Tampa sits 17 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. What else is close: Lake Jo Ann sits 0.2 miles out, Lake Toni at 0.3 miles, Myrtle Lake sits 0.4 miles out, Saxon Lake at 0.7 miles and Bird Lake sits 0.8 miles out. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Catfish Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Records collected within a few miles name largemouth bass, bluegill and bowfin. Records show what people reported, so treat the list as a guide to what lives in the area. Catfish Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 82°F and January near 59°F on the long-run figures. Year-round warmth means year-round fishing, with early starts in summer. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Catfish Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Lake Jo Ann is 0.2 miles off. Nothing here settles the position at Catfish Lake for certain.