Fishing in Orlando-Disney World

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Fishing

Central Florida freshwater lakes and rivers swarm with all kinds of fish, especially largemouth black bass but also perch, catfish, sunfish, and pike.

Licenses

To fish in most Florida waters (but not at Walt Disney World) anglers over 16 need a fishing license, available at bait-and-tackle shops, fishing camps, most sporting-goods stores, and Wal-Marts and Kmarts. Some of these locations may not sell saltwater licenses, or they may serve non-Florida residents only; call ahead to be on the safe side. Freshwater or saltwater licenses cost $6.50 for three consecutive days, $16.50 for seven consecutive days and $31.50 for one year. For Florida residents under age 65, a freshwater or saltwater license is $13.50 each, or $23.50 for both. Information on obtaining fishing licenses is available from the Florida Game & Fish Commission (850/488-3641). Fishing on a private lake with the owner's permission -- which is what anglers do at Disney World -- does not require a Florida fishing license.

Walt Disney World

You can sign up for two-hourfishing excursions (407/939-7529) on regularly stocked Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. In fact, Bay Lake is so well stocked, locals joke that you can almost walk across the lake on the backs of the bass, so your chances of catching fish are quite good. The trips work on a catch-and-release program, though, so you can't take fish home.

Departing from the Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Polynesian, Port Orleans Riverside, and Grand Floridian resort marinas, trips include boat, equipment, and a guide for up to five anglers. If you've never fished before, don't worry -- your guide is happy to bait your hook, unhook your catches, and even snap pictures of you with your fish.

These organized outings are the only way you're allowed to fish on the lakes. Reservations are required. Yacht and Beach Club guests and Boardwalk Hotel guests can book a similar fishing excursion on Crescent Lake for the same fee as the Bay Lake trip. Two-hour trips, which depart daily at 7, 10, and 1:30, cost $230 for the morning departures and $200 for the afternoon departure, plus $80 for each additional hour. Shinners (live bait) are available for $15 per dozen.

On Captain Jack's Guided Bass Tours (407/939-7529), bass specialists go along for the two-hour fishing expeditions on Lake Buena Vista. Anglers depart from the Downtown Disney Marketplace marina at 7, 10, and 1:30. Trips for groups of two to five people cost $230 for the morning departures and $200 for the afternoon departure. Per-person admission, available only for the 1:30 trip, is $110.

The Fort Wilderness Bike Barn (407/824-2742), open daily 8-6, rents poles and tackle for fishing in the canals around the Port Orleans-Riverside (formerly Dixie Landings) and Port Orleans resorts and at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Fishing without a guide is permitted in these areas. A cane pole with tackle is $4 per half hour and $8 per day; rod and reel with tackle is $6 per hour and $10 per day. You must be at least 18 to rent a rod and reel. Policy stipulates that rod users must be at least 12 years old, though this is not strictly enforced.

Yacht & Beach Club Kids-Only Fishing Trips (407/939-7529), for ages 6 to 12 are led by adult Disney staff members who drive the boats and serve as guides. Half-hour excursions cost $30 per child and set out from the Boardwalk Community Hall Monday through Friday at 10 AM.

Ol' Man Island Fishing Hole (Port Orleans-Riverside. 407/939-2277) has fishing off a dock. Catch-and-release is encouraged, but you can have your fish packed in ice to take home -- you have to clean them yourself. Cane poles and bait are $4 per half hour. You must rent your equipment here to use the dock. Two-hour excursions in a boat with a driver are $80 per person, and include rod, reel, and bait. The Fishing Hole is open daily 7 to 2:30 and reservations are required.

Orlando Area

Top Central Florida fishing waters include Lake Kissimmee, the Butler and Conway chains of lakes, and Lake Tohopekaliga -- a Native American name that means "Sleeping Tiger." (Locals call it Lake Toho.) The lake got its centuries-old name because it becomes incredibly rough during thunderstorms and has sent more than a few fishermen to a watery grave. Be careful in summer when you see storm clouds. Your best chance for trophy fish is between November and April on Toho or Kissimmee. For good creels, the best bet is usually the Butler area, which has the additional advantage of its scenery -- lots of live oaks and cypresses, plus the occasional osprey or bald eagle. Toho and Kissimmee are also good for largemouth bass and crappie. The Butler chain yields largemouth, some pickerel, and the occasional huge catfish. Services range from equipment and boat rental to full-day trips with guides and guarantees. Like virtually all lakes in Florida, the big Orlando-area lakes are teeming with alligators, which you'll find totally harmless unless you engage in the unwise practice of swimming at night. Small pets are more vulnerable than humans, and should never be allowed to swim in Florida lakes or rivers.

Non-Disney Lakes

The key difference between the public lakes and the Disney lakes is that you have the option of keeping the fish you catch on the public lakes. Disney has a catch-and-release policy.

Fishing Camps

A number of excellent fishing camps in the form of lakeside campgrounds draw a more outdoorsy crowd than you'll find elsewhere in the area.

East Lake Fish Camp (3705 Big Bass Rd., Kissimmee. 407/348-2040), on East Lake Tohopekaliga, has a restaurant and country store, sells live bait and propane, and rents boats. You can also take a ride on an airboat. The camp has 286 RV sites that rent at $20 per night for two people. The RV sites rent for $350 per month. Simple, rustic cabins are $65 per night for two people and $5 per night for each additional person with a limit of five per cabin. Try to reserve one of the 24 cabins at least two weeks in advance in winter and spring.

Lake Toho Resort (4715 Kissimmee Park Rd., St. Cloud. 407/892-8795. www.laketohoresort.com), on West Lake Tohopekaliga, has 200 RV sites. Most of the full hookups are booked year-round, but electrical and water hookups are usually available, as are live bait, food, and drinks. The RV sites are $24 per night and $275 per month, plus electricity.

Richardson's Fish Camp (1550 Scotty's Rd., Kissimmee. 407/846-6540), on West Lake Tohopekaliga, has 7 cabins with kitchenettes, 16 RV sites, six tent sites, boat slips, and a bait shop. The RV sites are $28 per night, tent sites are $22.50, and cabins are $44 for one bedroom, about $68 for two bedrooms, and $79 for three bedrooms.

Guides

Guides fish out of the area's fishing camps, and you can usually make arrangements to hire them through the camp office. Rates vary, but for two people a good price is $225 for a half day and $325 for a full day. Many area guides are part-timers who fish on weekends or take a day off from their full-time job.

All Florida Fishing (4500 Joe Overstreet Rd., Kenansville, 34739. 407/436-1966 or 800/347-4007. www.all-florida-fishing.com) takes you on half- and full-day trips to go after the big bass that make the Kissimmee chain of lakes southeast of Disney ideal for sportfishing. Captain Rob Murchie also leads full-day saltwater fishing expeditions in the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic, an hour's drive to the east, in pursuit of tarpon and other game fish. Half-day freshwater trips are $225; full-day trips are $325. Saltwater trips (full day only) are $400. Prices are for one to two people. A third participant can join the group for $50. You can buy your license and bait here.

Bass Challenger Guide (BCG) (195 Heather Lane Dr., Deltona, 32738. 407/273-8045 or 800/241-5314. www.basschallenger.com) takes you out in Ranger boats and equips you with tackle, license, bait, and ice. Transportation can be arranged between fishing spots and local hotels. Bass is the only quarry. Half-day trips for one or two people begin at $265; full-day trips begin at $350. Each additional person pays $50 more. You can buy your license and bait here. If you want a multiday trip or need nearby accommodations, Captain Eddie Bussard may book you a room at a local hotel for $59 a night.