Fishing Long Lake in Monroe County, Florida

• Overview

  Long Lake is one of the Monroe County listings for Florida. The shore lies 2.3 miles out. This is sizeable water at about 372 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. The margin runs to about 3.4 miles in total. It is low-lying compared with other Florida water we list. Start from Plantation, 21 miles down the road. The nearest city of size is Miami, 55 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Being tidal, the water moves twice a day, and the fishing moves with it. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Biodiversity records within roughly six miles include spotted sunfish, tadpole madtom, bluegill, brown bullhead and Florida gar. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish in this exact water on the day. On Long Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 83°F on average, January about 67°F. Heat, not cold, shapes the year here. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Long Lake. A steady wind fishes better than a still, bright day.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Cuthbert Lake is 1.1 miles off. For Long Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.