Clear Lake Fishing near Holden Heights, Florida

• Overview

  Clear Lake lies within the bounds of Orange County, Florida. The sea is 37 miles distant. About 356 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The edge runs 2.6 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Size puts it in the front rank of our Orange County list. Holden Heights is the closest town at 2.2 miles. Orlando is the closest city, 2.5 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Clear Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover bluegill, largemouth bass, blue tilapia, Florida gar and black crappie. The records cover the area rather than this water alone. Read Clear Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 60°F to 82°F. Cold never shuts this water down; heat is the only limit. Season rules are a separate question. 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. On Clear Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. You will be walking about 0.9 miles from the nearest car park. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Sunset Lake, 1.1 miles out. Check the position on Clear Lake before loading the car.