Lake Elizabeth near Odessa: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Set in Hillsborough County, Lake Elizabeth is a Florida water. This is warm green lowland country. This is a pocket water of some 19 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Supplies mean a trip to Odessa, 2.7 miles off. Beyond it, Keystone at 2.9 miles and Cheval at 3.7 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake Elizabeth

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover largemouth bass, warmouth, bowfin and Florida gar. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish in this exact water on the day. Lake Elizabeth gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 82°F; by January the average is down near 60°F. Cold never becomes a factor on this one. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan around that when you fish Lake Elizabeth.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Lake Wood is 0.3 miles off. Check the current arrangement for Lake Elizabeth.