Fishing at Lake Cooper, Polk County, Florida

• Overview

  Lake Cooper belongs to Polk County, Florida. It sits at 128 feet above sea level. At 10 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Most waters listed here for Polk County are larger. The nearest town is Lake Wales, 0.7 miles away. The nearest city of size is Lakeland, 24 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Lake Cooper

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show 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. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include bluegill, blue tilapia, koi, largemouth bass and redbelly tilapia. Check the state or provincial list before planning around one species. The near bank of Lake Cooper is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 61°F to 82°F. Fish feed through every month here. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Time your trip to Lake Cooper by conditions rather than dates. Water temperature lags behind air temperature by days, not hours.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Parking is close: a car park sits half a mile from the bank. Public toilets are recorded roughly 0.9 miles off. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Lake Weader sits 0.3 miles off and takes the overflow. For Lake Cooper in particular, ask before you travel.