Thread: Winter Haven

If you want to leave Winter Haven, try Lake Walk in the Water, aka Weohtopiga. I think it has come back some, and it use to be good for putting 15 - 20 bass in the boat.

INFO from the FWCC on Lake Walk in Water - I'm not sure how well it has recovered. We may go check it out this weekend.

WALK-IN-WATER (Polk County): Also known as Lake Weohyakapka, this 7,528-acre anglers' favorite is located south of State Route 60, 10 miles east of Lake Wales off Walk-in-the-Water Road in Polk County. Predominant vegetation is cattail, bulrush (buggy whips), Kissimmee grass, and hydrilla. Tiger Creek flows in from the southwest and Weohyakapka Creek flows from the north end of the lake. Maximum depth is 12 feet. Nationally known for largemouth bass fishing, Lake Walk-in-Water provides both large numbers and trophy-sized fish. Drifting live shiners over offshore hydrilla is the most consistent technique, but many bass are caught on artificials as well, particularly topwater lures. There is a county boat ramp on the west shore at the end of Boat Landing Road.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS ON LAKE WALK-IN-WATER. A slot limit protects quality largemouth bass by requiring that bass between 15 and 24 inches in length must be immediately released back into the lake. The daily bag limit is three fish per day. Only one of the three fish may be greater than 24 inches. This means you may keep three bass less than 15 inches, or two bass less than 15 inches and one bass greater than 24 inches. For more Bill Pouder, or Jeff Willitzer at (863)648-3202.

The hydrilla in the lake has not regrown as quickly as expected since the hurricanes in 2004 removed it from the lake. Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing is slow, with many anglers targeting black crappie (specks) when temperatures drop. Fish bulrush and cattail stands near shore for the best chance to catch some bream or shellcracker. Fishing for specks should be excellent. Live Missouri minnows, Hal-Flies, and small spinners in the open water should all be productive. Largemouth bass fishing is tough; with hydrilla virtually gone, the bass have been moving around trying to find suitable habitat. Shoreline vegetation (bulrush, cattails, and Kissimmee grass) should hold bass, especially when they begin to spawn. Live wild shiners are producing, and plastic worms, jerkworms, and suspending stickbaits are the artificials of choice for the winter months. The full moon in January signals the beginning of the spawning season, with big bass getting on the beds through April. Try using plastic lizards, crawfish, tube baits, and worms to catch these fish.