Lake Arbuckle Fishing near Frostproof, Florida

• Overview

  The Highlands County entry here is Lake Arbuckle, in Florida. Scrub and brush runs right down to the water. This is big water, about 6.0 sq miles, and in a wind it behaves like a small sea. The edge covers about 12 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. On our Highlands County list it sits near the top for size. 9 miles away sits Frostproof, the nearest town. The big place round here is Lakeland, 42 miles distant. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake Arbuckle

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover warmouth, bluegill, largemouth bass, dollar sunfish and yellow bullhead. Local agencies hold the definitive list for this water. Lake Arbuckle gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 82°F; the cold one sits at 61°F. The season is continuous, with heat as the only real check. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. That is the shape of the year on Lake Arbuckle.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. 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. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Lake Godwin sits 2.6 miles off and takes the overflow. None of that is settled for Lake Arbuckle in what we hold.