Lake Tem near Mount Dora: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in Lake County, Florida, sits Lake Tem. Land around it is scrub and brush. It covers about 4 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. On size it sits at the modest end of our Lake County list. Start from Mount Dora, 1.7 miles down the road. The nearest city of size is Orlando, 25 miles away. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake Tem

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists bluegill, threadfin shad, dollar sunfish and largemouth bass. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish in this exact water on the day. Work Lake Tem in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 82°F and January about 58°F. Heat, not cold, shapes the year here. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. It holds true on Lake Tem more years than not. As the season turns, fish follow food rather than temperature alone.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Lake Gertrude at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. For Lake Tem, the notice at the access point is the final word.