Wife wants to be close to a larger city so we are planning a trip in a couple of weeks to check out Lake County Fl.  I've heard some past fishing horror stories about the sludge in Apopka.  Any thoughts on bass fishing on Lake Dora, Eustis, Beauclair?  I'd hate to buy and then find out fishing is dead.   Thanks,  Chris

I dont know a whole lot about lake county, but I do know apopka is a shhh hole. Im sure there are some good fishing areas around there though.

Lake Harris Chain is a good fishery as far as I've seen. If I were to pick one of the lakes to live on out of the few you've mentioned, it would probably be Lake Eustis, as it has the best access to the others in the chain. It is pretty much smack in the middle of the chain. 

 

Griffin seems to hold a lot of fish, but the conditions have been bad over the last few months. Lower water levels and heavily stained water, however some areas of Griffin are better, but you have to hunt them down every time you are out there. You also need to run through the Lock to get to Lake Griffin from lakes in the rest of the chain (I.e. lakes connected to Eustis - Dora and Harris). 

 

The wife and I have talked about getting a weekend place off of the Harris Chain. I would like to fish some of the other chains a bit more before we committed to a piece of property on the Harris Chain. 

 

I've not run Apopka in my boat yet, but I've heard it has monster fish in it, and large bags are caught there as well. I've also heard that the state is trying to clean that lake up, and it should show improvement in the coming years. 

I agree, the Harris chain of lakes is a GREAT fishery.

Oh and LOTS of bald eagles flying around.

harris, eustis and griffin are fishing as good as any where in FL right now. it can be a tough fishery but is never bad.

Have you checked the St Cloud area by Toho, there's enough city there for everyone with the states finest chain of lakes as well.

 

By buddy retired there from south Florida and loves it.

The Harris chain can be a very difficult place to fish but it is beautiful on the water.  I like lake Dora the best.  But if it were me I agree with Rob.  Check out the areas around Toho.  The Haines City, Davenport, Poinciana areas offer many opportunities to both shop and fish.  Nicole and I have a weekend place on Lake Lowery (Haines City).  You feel like you are out in the boonies but only minutes from civilization.

I have never seen traffic like I have the past couple of months here in South Florida, snowbirds in force, has to be a lot of real estate selling now.  I'm considering making a move up to the Juno, Jupiter area, less crowded, newer and cleaner, better fishing and not too far from Hobe Sound or even Sebastion.

I have never seen traffic like I have the past couple of months here in South Florida, snowbirds in force, has to be a lot of real estate selling now.  I'm considering making a move up to the Juno, Jupiter area, less crowded, newer and cleaner, better fishing and not too far from Hobe Sound or even Sebastion.

 

That traffic trend has crept it's way up here.

However, for most of the year it's very peaceful in north Palm Beach Co.

The variety of fishing in the area is astonishing, freshwater, inshore, offshore, surf, pier, etc.

Most of the beaches down here charge to park, one of favorites in Boca just installed meters.  Luckily I fish Boynton and it's free parking and the jetitie is also no charge.  Up at Juno park anywhere on the street or lots, it's all free by the beach there.