Fishing at The Lungs, Monroe County, Florida

• Overview

  Set in Monroe County, Florida, this is The Lungs. The ground around here is warm bottomland. The water covers around 312 acres, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. The margin runs to about 4.4 miles in total. It is low-lying compared with other Florida water we list. You are 19 miles from Plantation. Islamorada is 19 miles and Tavernier 19 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on The Lungs

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Salt or brackish and tidal: fish the flow, rest at slack, and watch the mud on a falling tide. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged nearby in open biodiversity records include spotted sunfish, tadpole madtom and bluegill. Local agencies hold the definitive list for this water. At The Lungs light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 83°F; by January the average is down near 67°F. Nothing shuts down for cold, so the question is when in the day to go. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. On The Lungs the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. If the gate is shut, Monroe Lake at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the current arrangement for The Lungs.