Lake Magdalene, Florida: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake Magdalene lies within the bounds of Hillsborough County, Florida. Salt water lies 9.8 miles off. With some 237 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. There is roughly 3.3 miles of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. On our Hillsborough County list it sits near the top for size. For supplies, Lake Magdalene is 0.8 miles out. It is 9.3 miles to Tampa, the nearest city. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lake Magdalene

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. 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 dollar sunfish. Local agencies hold the definitive list for this water. The near bank of Lake Magdalene is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 82°F in July and bottoms out near 60°F in January. Cold never becomes a factor on this one. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. The season on Lake Magdalene rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Parking sits 0.9 miles out, which makes for a walk with tackle. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Lake All Bright is 0.6 miles off. The position on Lake Magdalene is worth confirming on the day.