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

• Overview

  Out in Polk County, Florida, sits Swim Lake. It sits at 95 feet above sea level. The water measures roughly 5 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Our Polk County list holds plenty of bigger water. 5.3 miles away sits Babson Park, the nearest town. It is 30 miles to Lakeland, the nearest city. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Swim Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Species logged nearby in open biodiversity records include largemouth bass, bluegill and Nile tilapia. Records show what people reported, not what is stocked. Read Swim Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 82°F for August and 61°F for January. The water stays warm and open throughout. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan around that when you fish Swim Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Thomas Lake is 0.5 miles off. Nothing on Swim Lake should be assumed from this page alone.