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

• Overview

  Out in Hillsborough County, Florida, sits Lake Armistead. It sits at 59 feet above sea level. Surface area is around 36 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. For supplies, Citrus Park is 1.7 miles out. The nearest city of size is Tampa, 12 miles away. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Lake Armistead

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover largemouth bass, bluegill and Florida gar. That is what has been logged nearby, not a stocking list, so check local rules before you plan around any one species. Lake Armistead gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 60°F to 82°F. There is no dead season here at all. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Plan any trip to Lake Armistead around it. Nights draw in quickly late in the season, so plan the walk back.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. Mapping puts a reserve boundary across this water; check what it allows. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Little Halfmoon Lake is 0.6 miles off. Check the position at Lake Armistead before loading the car.