Horse Lake in Hillsborough County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Horse Lake is one of the Hillsborough County waters in Florida. The shore lies 7.6 miles out. Surface area runs to about 13 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Hillsborough County are larger. Citrus Park is the closest town at 2.3 miles. For a city, Tampa is 14 miles off. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Horse Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Nearby survey and observation records mention largemouth bass, bluegill and Florida gar. Local agencies hold the definitive list for this water. On Horse Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 82°F; by January the average is down near 60°F. The whole calendar is open, with dawn and dusk the productive hours in summer. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Horse Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Little Lake at 0.3 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Horse Lake before loading the car.