Fishing Deer Lake in Hillsborough County, Florida

• Overview

  Deer Lake is set in Hillsborough County, Florida. The surface lies 92 feet up. The water covers some 32 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Some 1.2 miles away sits Lutz, the nearest settlement. For a city, Tampa is 15 miles off. Other water nearby: 0.3 miles out stands Little Deer Lake Kell near enough 0.4 miles, 0.7 miles out stands Lake Hobbs, Cool Kell Lake near enough 0.8 miles and 0.8 miles out stands Feinsinger Lake. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Deer Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, 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. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover largemouth bass, bluegill, bowfin and Florida gar. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish in this exact water on the day. At Deer Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 82°F, with January the cold end at about 59°F. The calendar barely matters here; the time of day does. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Plan any trip to Deer Lake around it. A settled week fishes better than a changeable one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. A slipway is marked about half a mile from here. Fishing from a pier is possible half a mile away. A nature reserve borders this water, which usually brings restrictions. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. For a change of water, Little Deer Lake is 0.3 miles distant. Confirm access to Deer Lake locally before you travel.