Tenmile Lake in Hillsborough County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Tenmile Lake sits within Hillsborough County in Florida. The sea is 6.7 miles distant. It covers about 22 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Ground here is low by Florida standards. The closest town, Brandon, is 1.8 miles away. The big place round here is Brandon, 1.9 miles distant. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Tenmile Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover bluegill, largemouth bass, spotted sunfish, black crappie and Florida gar. Reported species tell you what lives around here, nothing more. At Tenmile Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 60°F to 82°F. The season is continuous, with heat as the only real check. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. It holds true on Tenmile Lake more years than not. After heavy rain, give the water a day to settle.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. For a change of water, Chapman Lake is 0.4 miles distant. The position on Tenmile Lake is worth confirming on the day.