Lake Harvey Fishing in Hillsborough County, Florida

• Overview

  The Hillsborough County end of Florida holds Lake Harvey. The sea is 14 miles distant. This is a pocket water of some 21 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Supplies mean a trip to Lutz, 1.7 miles off. Further out sit Cheval (2.1 miles) and Land O' Lakes (4.2 miles). Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Lake Harvey

  Our records hold no depth for this water. 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. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include largemouth bass, bluegill, bowfin, Florida gar and black crappie. Take it as evidence of what swims here, not a promise for one session. Treat Lake Harvey as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 82°F on average, January about 60°F. Fish feed through every month here. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Anyone fishing Lake Harvey regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. This lies within protected land, so the rules will be stricter than usual. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Lake Virginia, 0.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the current arrangement for Lake Harvey.