By Kevin and Amanda Mims

Lake Tohopekaliga, south of Kissimmee, draws in anglers from near and far with its populations of bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, and especially largemouth bass.  Also known as Lake Toho, this roughly 20,000-acre lake has eight fish attractors and holds several bass records. Here’s your itinerary for two days of bass fishing on Lake Tohopekaliga with iOutdoors.

Day One

Wake up early, have some coffee and a bite to eat at the hotel or grab breakfast at a restaurant nearby, then head to Big Toho Marina in Kissimmee, which is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Your captain will have the boat in the water waiting for your arrival, and when you’re ready, you’ll set out on the massive lake in pursuit of largemouth bass. You’ll fish for six hours or until you get hungry, at which time you’ll head to the marina for a lunch break before returning to the water for a few more hours to try out some more spots.

At the end of the day, return to the hotel to relax or take a dip in the pool before heading out to dinner. Try Punta Cana, which is across the road from the hotel.

Day Two

After breakfast, head out to the marina for your second day on Lake Tohopekaliga. You and your captain will decide whether to revisit spots from yesterday or explore more of the lake. After six hours, you’ll come back to the marina for a bite to eat before setting out again for your last few hours on the lake. When you’re done, go back to the hotel and get cleaned up and explore the area a bit. Osceola Heritage Park and Silver Spurs Arena, which host concerts and sporting events, are less than a mile from the hotel.

Time Allowance

This itinerary takes two full days and three nights to complete.

Distance from Population Centers

Kissimmee is 30 minutes south of Orlando and an hour and 15 minutes east of Tampa.

Walking/Driving Distance Between Things to Do

Big Toho Marina is a 10-minute drive from the hotel.

What to Bring

Bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes suitable for a long day on the water and comfortable shoes such as sneakers or flip-flops. For most of the year, shorts are typical attire. You’ll need to bring your Florida fishing license, live bait, if desired, and snacks for the fishing trips. Alcoholic beverages aren’t provided but you are welcome to bring them. The boat has a cooler with ice, and fishing gear and bottled water will be provided.

What to Expect

On this trip, you’ll spend two full days on Lake Tohopekaliga fishing for largemouth bass, which means a lot of time outside in the sun and heat, especially during the warmer months, and seeing lots of wildlife.

Physical Demands

This activity is generally not strenuous. Guests will need to be able to climb into and out of the boat.

Accessibility Enhancements/Inclusion Highlights

The boats do not have wheelchair lifts, but iOutdoors frequently takes anglers with disabilities on its fishing trips. Inquire before booking to confirm accessibility.

Trip Highlights

Fishing the iconic lake, reeling in your personal best catch, and seeing alligators, bald eagles, and a host of other wild animals makes this a trip to remember.

Lodging and Accommodations

Quality Inn & Suites Heritage Park is recommended for this trip, although the area offers a wide variety of accommodations.

Culinary Adventures

Besides Punta Cana, which is convenient to the hotel, the Kissimmee area has seemingly endless dining options, which include several popular dinner shows. Try Villa Italiano Chophouse for some of the best Italian food around or The Catfish Place, a local favorite, for fried seafood, Florida-style.

When to Visit and Seasonal Differences

High season is from January to May. Off season is from June to December. Rain and thunderstorms happen more frequently in the summer, especially in the afternoons.

Surprises/Bonuses

Your hotel is only 20 minutes from Walt Disney World and Orlando International Airport and 30 minutes from Universal Studios. The hotel is 10 minutes from downtown Kissimmee’s historic buildings, restaurants, and shops, and Kissimmee LakeFront Park is just 0.6 miles from the marina.

Rules

A valid Florida fishing license is required to participate.

Advice

Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared for unexpected changes in the weather. To see the current fishing forecast, go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Lake Tohopekaliga page and click on the “current forecast” tab.

How to Book

Get more information and this trip with iOutdoors online.

Places to Remember