Fishing at Tater Patch Pond, Polk County, Florida

• Overview

  Tater Patch Pond stands in Polk County, Florida. It stands 131 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 20 acres — small enough to read in one session. Compared with other Florida water on our list, it sits high. The nearest town is Lake Wales, 3 miles away. Lakeland is the closest city, 22 miles away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Tater Patch Pond

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include bluegill, blue tilapia and koi. Local agencies hold the definitive list for this water. On Tater Patch Pond the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 61°F in January to roughly 82°F in August. Year-round warmth means year-round fishing, with early starts in summer. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. The season on Tater Patch Pond rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. There is a mapped landing stage half a mile away. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Mountain Lodge Lake is 0.7 miles off. Where Tater Patch Pond is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.