Fishing Hog Island Lake in Hillsborough County, Florida

• Overview

  Hog Island Lake lies in Hillsborough County, in Florida. Tidal water begins 16 miles from here. The water covers some 47 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The town to know is Lutz, 1.5 miles out. The big place round here is Tampa, 16 miles distant. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Hog Island 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. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists largemouth bass, bluegill, bowfin and Florida gar. It is a record of sightings and surveys, so use it as a guide. The shape of Hog Island Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 82°F and January about 59°F. Nothing shuts down for cold, so the question is when in the day to go. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Anyone fishing Hog Island Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. You can launch: the ramp is half a mile away. There is a jetty 170 yards off, worth knowing on a busy day. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Cool Kell Lake, 0.3 miles out. Check the position on Hog Island Lake before loading the car.