About Lake Tarpon, FL

Rated as the top 10 bass lakes in Florida, Lake Tarpon is a 2,534-acre lake in Pinellas County. This lake is under the Fish Management Area of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and is regularly checked for water quality and marine wildlife quality. 

According to frequent electrofishing surveys done by FWC, bass found in Lake Tarpon ranges from 1-3 feet and weighs from 4-5.5kg. The FWC has also recorded a max depth from the lake of 36 meters, but there are still schools of fish found several meters away from the shoreline or on shallow waters. 

Moreover, this freshwater lake has two water tributaries: South Creek and Brooker Creek. Anglers commonly reach Lake Tarpon through the most popular and most accessible access points in Anderson Park and John Chestnut Sr. Park.

All About Fishing in Lake Tarpon, FL

While public access is not yet limited in Lake Tarpon, anglers are required to have a fishing license, and they must register their boats before they enter the lake via the access points. Although Lake Tarpon is named after a different fish, largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and black crappie can be hauled from this lake. 

Schools of largemouth bass are usually found hiding among the weeds near the shoreline and in shallow waters. Anglers can reach this and set it up quickly with their bait to catch largemouth bass in just a few minutes. Areas filled with cattail and tape grass are good fishing spots for bluegill and black crappie. 

When fishing in Lake Tarpon, live baits such as shrimp or ribbon tail worms are suitable since they attract more bass bites, especially if they are set up on drop-offs or edges of deep water. Additionally, remember to check up on fishing reports before planning a fishing trip to Lake Tarpon because wind directions may cause the scent of your bait to be missed by schools of fish. Shallow canals and deeper areas with depths of up to 8 to 10 feet are recommended for veteran anglers.  

Fishing Seasonality

Fishing trips in Lake Tarpon can be planned all year round, but during June up to September, when temperatures rise in the lake, schools of bass will start moving up to structures such as humps and ledges and become more visible during the morning. 

Although access points to the lake from public parks are open until sunset, anglers can fish in the afternoon during the regular season. Furthermore, based on anglers’ fishing reports recently in Lake Tarpon, the best time to fish is during the day when the sun is at its peak. During this time, the water is clearer, and the weeds or vegetation underwater are more visible. You can also easily set up near deep water drop-offs to catch schools of fish moving up to shore to find food or to find spawning mates. Through winter or December up to early February, the baits you will use should have a potent smell because strong winds will carry the scent faster to schools of fish. 

Fishing Seasonality

Fishing trips in Lake Tarpon can be planned all year round, but during June up to September, when temperatures rise in the lake, schools of bass will start moving up to structures such as humps and ledges and become more visible during the morning. 

Although access points to the lake from public parks are open until sunset, anglers can fish in the afternoon during the regular season. Furthermore, based on anglers’ fishing reports recently in Lake Tarpon, the best time to fish is during the day when the sun is at its peak. During this time, the water is clearer, and the weeds or vegetation underwater are more visible. You can also easily set up near deep water drop-offs to catch schools of fish moving up to shore to find food or to find spawning mates. Through winter or December up to early February, the baits you will use should have a potent smell because strong winds will carry the scent faster to schools of fish. 

All About Fishing in Lake Tarpon, FL

While public access is not yet limited in Lake Tarpon, anglers are required to have a fishing license, and they must register their boats before they enter the lake via the access points. Although Lake Tarpon is named after a different fish, largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and black crappie can be hauled from this lake. 

Schools of largemouth bass are usually found hiding among the weeds near the shoreline and in shallow waters. Anglers can reach this and set it up quickly with their bait to catch largemouth bass in just a few minutes. Areas filled with cattail and tape grass are good fishing spots for bluegill and black crappie. 

When fishing in Lake Tarpon, live baits such as shrimp or ribbon tail worms are suitable since they attract more bass bites, especially if they are set up on drop-offs or edges of deep water. Additionally, remember to check up on fishing reports before planning a fishing trip to Lake Tarpon because wind directions may cause the scent of your bait to be missed by schools of fish. Shallow canals and deeper areas with depths of up to 8 to 10 feet are recommended for veteran anglers.