Fishing Days and Campfire Nights

By Lynn Waddell

Published: February 22, 2008

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Florida's fish camps are as much a tradition as roadside fruit stands, and there's no better place to bunk for fishing than in central Florida. This area has some of the best freshwater fishing in the nation and affordable waterside accommodations that range from new bungalows to old-time campsites. My husband James and I find most of the fish camps offer your choice of both and a whole lot more.

As we explore several of these parks tucked away in the idyllic nooks of Polk County, we discover nature, camaraderie and lakeside activities as appealing as the fishing. Live oaks, grass-lined lakes and bright stars are a given, and when we aren't in the mood to fish we find plenty of lakeside friends and entertainment. Several parks have shuffleboard and horseshoe tossing courts, bingo games, church services and campfire parties.

Our first stop through this county of more than 550 lakes is Oak Harbor Lodging and RV Park outside Haines City. If you are seeking a remote, winter retreat (keyword: remote) this is an ideal location. A long, crooked two-lane country road through groves of orange trees and cow pastures brings us to the park's paved drive lined with towering oaks.

After passing through the tidy camp of privately owned mobile homes and RVs, we reach the rental wood-sided cabins and get our first glimpse of the 1,000-acre Lake Lowery. Located within Florida's Green Swamp, a watershed at the headwaters of three of Florida's major rivers, the natural lake is protected from development and naturally filtered. Little wonder it's filled with bass, crappie and bream and the anglers who pursue them - me included.

On the weed-lined banks of Lake Lowery, I hope to see my float tugged underwater by one of these plump little fish. I pull in my line and a small bream weighing less than a pound shimmers into the sunlight before plopping back into the lake. Doesn't matter. The fun is in hooking it, right?

Nearby Bannon Fish Camp on Lake Marion also rents cabins and campsites. This rustic Haines City fish camp has a restaurant and a boat ramp and sells bait. Lake Juliana Boating and Fish Lodge, just off I-4 in Auburndale, is an intimate fishing village with 10 RV spaces with hook-ups, a handful of rental cabins and a boat ramp.

We head farther south to big hog country, Lake Kissimmee, known for its trophy bass weighing as much as 16 pounds. Although its address is Lake Wales, we find Grape Hammock Fish Camp about halfway between Lake Wales and Yahoo Junction near the Polk County line.

It is a hammock in the true sense. Sprawling 100-year-old-plus Live Oaks drape over the rustic wooden bungalows, RVs and mobile homes. The lakeside store sells gas, bait, lures and fishing licenses and also rents boats.

We spend the night in one of the park's clean and comfortable rental trailers, equipped with microwave, cable TV and air conditioning. We wake to a cool, windy morning. For once, my husband's the one who's cold, not me. I'm more concerned about my bass fishing skills.

It's been 20 years since I've caught a freshwater bass, and I'm not sure I know what to do anymore, although I'm not about to let my city-slicker husband know this.

The fishing knowledge that had been washed away from too many years on land floated up as I gazed out over this 39,000-acre lake. Stepping into a johnboat with a box of wrigglers, spinning baits, and rod and reel is like greeting an old friend.

We boat and cast our lines along the lake's edge, spotting several hawks and a cow on the banks. I try spinner and crank bait with no success. I switch to the worms and get a few bites, but no hog. It's not my day for a big catch, but I'm happy just the same. Back onshore there's a campfire burning, and anglers sharing drinks and fish tales. We leave late that day feeling like pros and planning our next visit.

This area of Polk County is brimming with fish camps. Cherry Pocket Fish Camp and Seafood Shak is a rustic Old Florida favorite. Camp Mack's River Resort is a full-service camp with access to Lake Kissimmee. Thomas Landing on Lake Kissimmee also has a three-acre fish pond.

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