Lake Reed in Polk County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake Reed is one of the Polk County waters in Florida. It stands 148 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 11 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Polk County are larger. Cypress Gardens sits 2.3 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Wahneta is 2.7 miles away, with Eloise at 4 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Lake Reed

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. 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. Public wildlife records from this area list bluegill, largemouth bass, Florida gar and blue tilapia. It is a record of sightings and surveys, so use it as a guide. On Lake Reed the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 61°F in January up to 82°F in August. Every month fishes, though midsummer narrows the useful hours. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. On Lake Reed the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Public data records a pier about half a mile out. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Lake Gross, 0.5 miles out. Check the position on Lake Reed before loading the car.