Clermont Chain of Lakes
The Clermont Chain of Lakes are centered in Clermont, Florida. The chain is fed primarily by streams and groundwater flow and they make up the middle part of the Palatlakaha River watershed, which then forms the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River.
This chain of lakes totals more than 8,600 acres with 11 lakes and a couple of boat ramps to make it easy to get access to the water. Most of the water will be tea-colored with the exception of Lake Minneola, which is relatively clear compared to most of the lakes in the Central Florida area. The three largest lakes make up the main part of the chain. These lakes are Louisa, Minnehaha and Minneola.
Largemouth bass are the big attraction here for most anglers with good numbers of 2 to 4 pound bass and fish in the 5 to 7 pound range being fairly common. Bass up to and above 10 pounds are available here as well. Bluegill and other sunfish are here as well to go along with catfish and crappie.
Harris Chain of Lakes
The Harris Chain of Lakes is a large chain of lakes comprised of 8 primary lakes. This chain of lakes covers about 75,000 acres. With more than 30 public boat ramps, plenty of services and excellent fishing for largemouth bass and panfish, this is a popular area to visit in Central Florida.
The Harris Chain of lakes are very fertile and the water here is murky. You can find some clearer water in the backs of some residential canals and in the spring creeks that feed the lakes, but otherwise, it is murky water here.
Anglers usually come here for the bass fishing and it is very good here with lots of bass and some huge bass up to and over 10 pounds caught every year. Anglers also target panfish here too with bream and crappie available throughout the chain.
Saltwater Fishing near Lake County, FL
Head West
If you head west, you can go fish the Homosassa and Crystal, River. Both of these destinations have some incredible inshore fishing and you can get away from the crowds in both destinations. If you are up for driving a couple of hours, you can head over to the Tampa Bay area. Here, there are so many great inshore fishing options to go along with awesome deep sea fishing and some of the best fishing without a boat in all of Florida.
Head East
If you head east, you can go fish the Space Coast. You can fish inshore or offshore here, although, the inshore fishing in Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River gets most of the attention, especially among anglers that like to fish freshwater for bass. When fishing the inshore waters here, you will most likely be fishing the shallow grass flats for redfish and sea trout, which is very similar to fishing the shallows for bass. New Smyrna Beach is also a great destination. It is very close to Daytona Beach and you have some great inshore, offshore and shore fishing options there.
