I'll be in the Orlando area with the in laws in a couple weeks and was wondering how the bite is up there? Also how is the lake for wake boarding and swimming? Is it gator infested?

Any preferred boat ramps near the northwest side of the lake?

quite a few gators in Toho definitely not a swimming hole id use

The place we're staying has a pool so swimming isn't a priority but we will be doing the wake boarding and tubing thing. Are there any other lakes in the area we should look at?

I wouldn't tube or wakeboard in any lake with gators. The commotion of falling and swimming after falling off is what may draw more attention.

The place we're staying has a pool so swimming isn't a priority but we will be doing the wake boarding and tubing thing. Are there any other lakes in the area we should look at?

Don't do it in Toho!

I'm sure there are more than a few lakes around Orlando that you could do all the water sports you want. Ask at your hotel, call the Chamber, wait a little bit and I'm sure guys will be along soon with some suggestions

IMHO, Toho is not one of them.

Mike

I think that you will probably be safe with wake boarding but I would not just jump in and go swimming. Here is a pic of a little 10 footer that I took the other day while fishing.

 

The bite is good.  34 lbs in 5 fish won the Wounded Warriors Tournament last weekend. I've been using a mega vibe worm to catch my bigger fish.  Big Toho marina in downtown Kissimmee is an excellent ramp.

 

As far as actually getting in the water, not a great idea.  Although the large lizards would most likely be running from you, it's not worth the chance.  I don't know about Orlando much, but there are many lakes in the Winter Haven chain that I see wake boarders and skiers on all the time.  About 45 min from Disney.

OK thanks guys. I was hoping toho would be safe to swim. I was looking forward to some awesome fishing! There's always next time though. I'll Google search around some more.

East Lake Toho in St. Cloud is okay. There are gators but not so many as West Toho. It is a clear, cleaner lake with a beach, pavilions,swimming area. A lot of jet skiers too. The gators tend to hang out in the reeds, not in open water so much. Pretty good bass fishing too. We have a Thursday night tournament there. Bass have been hitting Senkos, Swim baits, and white spinner baits on the outside pepper grass pods.

Thanks for the tip/report FG. It's still a couple weeks away but I'll definitely look into the east lake.

Spent 2 winters in Florida and I live on a pretty large chain of lakes.

I think I have seen people tube like 3 times at most.

I wouldn't myself, but you would probably be fine.

My neighbor lost his dog to a gator.

And ALL my neighbors say they wouldn't go in the watet.