Lake Nona Fishing near Taft, Florida

• Overview

  Lake Nona sits in Orange County, out in Florida. The sea is 31 miles distant. At 587 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. Size puts it in the front rank of our Orange County list. 5.8 miles away sits Taft, the nearest town. Orlando is the closest city, 11 miles away. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake Nona

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Public wildlife records from this area list bluegill, Florida gar, largemouth bass, spotted sunfish and tadpole madtom. Check the state or provincial list before planning around one species. Lake Nona 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. The water stays warm and open throughout. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Lake Nona fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Fishing from a pier is possible half a mile away. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Red Lake, 0.9 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Lake Nona are worth checking on the day.