Cooper Lake, Florida: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Florida holds Cooper Lake, in Hillsborough County. It lies 69 feet above sea level. It measures about 79 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The whole outline is near 1.3 miles, and most of it is walkable. On our Hillsborough County list it sits near the top for size. Nearest town is Lutz, 0.7 miles off. For a city, Tampa is 14 miles off. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Cooper Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Biodiversity records within roughly six miles include largemouth bass, bluegill and dollar sunfish. Treat it as evidence of what swims in the area. At Cooper Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 82°F at the top of summer and 60°F at the bottom of winter. Fish feed through every month here. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Cooper Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Wilson's Duck Haven takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. North Crystal Lake at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. For Cooper Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.