Largemouth bass fishing should be best on the outside edges of the shoreline vegetation (mainly bulrush, eelgrass and knotgrass). Try spoons and spinnerbaits in the grass flats, and plastic worms and flipping jigs in the heaver cover. Of course, golden shiners are the best live bait for largemouth bass. A lot of largemouth bass were found during electrofishing surveys in the lower Kissimmee River from the first lock (S65E), down to the mouth. Other areas to try are Tin House Cove and Indian Prairie areas on the west side, the West Wall, East Wall, the Tip of Ritta Island, Sportsman’s Canal and Clewiston Channel. A guide is highly recommended, especially for your first trip to the lake.

Black crappie fishing usually slows down into the spring, but people have reported good catches in the Kissimmee River. Anglers have reported catching nice sized crappie, many over 10 inches. Fish in deeper waters near edges of the canal shoreline drop offs and the pilings under the Highway 78 bridge. Fishing in the Kissimmee River will be best during times the river is flowing. Angling effort should be concentrated near the edges of vegetation stands. The best angling will occur early and late in the day. Use the usual fishing techniques for crappie throughout this time. Minnows should be suspended at various depths to locate schools. Jig fishing is most productive, as you can cover a great deal more area. The secret to successful crappie fishing is to move often, until you locate a school.