Long Sun Lake, Florida: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Hillsborough County entry here is Long Sun Lake, in Florida. The surface lies 62 feet up. The water covers some 46 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The edge runs 1.2 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. The nearest place of any size is Cheval, 2.4 miles away. Tampa sits 16 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Long Sun Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. 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. Public wildlife records from this area list largemouth bass, bluegill, bowfin and Florida gar. Records show what people reported, so treat the list as a guide to what lives in the area. Take Long Sun Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 82°F, with January the cold end at about 59°F. There is no cold season worth the name. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Long Sun Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Public data has parking about half a mile from the shore. Mapping shows a jetty some half a mile off. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Moss Lake is 0.5 miles distant. Check the position at Long Sun Lake before loading the car.