Lake Kissimmee Fishing
Osceola County, FWC Northeast region, 34,948 acres.
- 7ramps
- 34,948acres
Photo: Charles Patrick Ewing, CC BY 2.0
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Lake Kissimmee fishing overview
In the FWC Northeast region, Lake Kissimmee lies within Osceola County and Polk County. It spreads over 34,948 acres, per FWC. The closest town is Hillcrest Heights, about 17 miles from the middle of the lake. Lake Kissimmee is part of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. FWC runs Lake Kissimmee as a fish management area (open to fishing).
FWC lists Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie as the main species in Lake Kissimmee. The FWC ramp inventory has 7 public ramps on Lake Kissimmee, 1 of them free.
Lake Kissimmee in FWC's words
Hot spots on Lake Kissimmee
“Lake Kissimmee is a 34,948-acre lake located 40 miles south of Orlando and 18 miles east of Lake Wales.”
“There are quite a few fish camps in the area.”
Quoted from the FWC site page: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
What is biting on Lake Kissimmee now
“Cooler air and water temperatures will be more comfortable for anglers and fish alike as the fall season sets in.”
“Anglers should also seek out the edges of the bulrush, cattails and Illinois pondweed beds.”
“Bird, Brahma, Rabbit and Grassy islands are good areas to try for bluegill.”
“Open water drifting with live bait near vegetation should produce fish.”
Quoted from the FWC fishing forecast: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
Ramps and launches on Lake Kissimmee
- Coleman Landing at Shady Oaks Recreation Area – Airboat Ramp1 lane ramp, fee, 14 trailer spaces, composting toilet
- Coleman Landing at Shady Oaks Recreation Area – Canoe and Kayak Launchpaddle launch, fee, 8 trailer spaces, composting toilet
- Coleman Landing at Shady Oaks Recreation Area – Outboard Ramp2 lane ramp, fee, 14 trailer spaces, composting toilet
- Grape Hammock Fish Camp1 lane ramp, fee, flush toilet
- Joe Overstreet's Landing Public Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, free, 30 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Lake Kissimmee State Park – Accessible Kayak Dockpaddle launch, fee, 27 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Lake Kissimmee State Park – Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, fee, 27 trailer spaces, flush toilet
Source: FWC Boat Ramp Inventory, October 2026.
How full is Lake Kissimmee
US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (CWMS), reading for Oct 10, 2026. Retrieved Oct 10, 2026 7:32 pm ET.
Reading from USACE Jacksonville District CWMS (SFWMD data) for Lake Kissimmee.
Fish FWC lists for Lake Kissimmee
Rules on Lake Kissimmee
Rules that apply only at Lakes Tohopekaliga (West Lake Tohopekaliga), Cypress, Hatchineha, and Kissimmee, Osceola and Polk counties:
- Lake Cypress (4,097 acres)
- Lake Hatchineha (6,665 acres)
- Lake Kissimmee (34,948 acres) Fishing Forecast
- Open to fishing
- No bag limit for channel catfish
- Nongame fish may be taken by castnets, dip nets, seines, trotlines, set lines, bush hooks, and traps as specified in Rules 68A-23.002, 68A-23.003 and 68A-23.004, F.A.C
| Species | Statewide daily bag | Length rule |
|---|---|---|
| Florida bass | 5 | only one 16 in or longer |
| Black crappie | 25 | none statewide |
| Bluegill and other panfish | 50 combined | none statewide |
FWC freshwater regulations, 2026-27 season, checked October 2026. All Florida limits and license prices.
Tournaments on Lake Kissimmee
Bass tournament dates and results for Lake Kissimmee are on its tournament page.
Lake Kissimmee side by side with nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres (FWC) | Public ramps | TrophyCatch bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Kissimmee | 34,948 | 7 | ||
| Lake Jackson | 6 miles east | 1,020 | 1 | |
| Lake Marian | 10 miles east | 5,739 | 2 | |
| Lake Weohyakapka | 10 miles southwest | 7,528 | 2 | 196 |
| Lake Hatchineha | 12 miles northwest | 1 | ||
| Cypress Lake | 13 miles north | 1 |
Next to Lake Kissimmee
Lakes near Lake Kissimmee
- Lake Jackson6 miles east
- Lake Marian10 miles east
- Lake Weohyakapka10 miles southwest
- Lake Hatchineha12 miles northwest
- Cypress Lake13 miles north
Where to buy bait near Lake Kissimmee
- Ouzo Baitsbait and tackle, Lake Wales, 8 miles
- Anglers Arsenalbait and tackle, Lake Wales, 9 miles
- Shiners Unlimitedbait and tackle, Lake Wales, 9 miles
- Lakeshore Marinamarina, Polk, 9 miles
- Lake Haven Live Baitbait and tackle, Lake Wales, 15 miles
- Jennings' Resort Incbait and tackle, Polk, 17 miles
Freshwater guides around Lake Kissimmee
- East Lake Fish Campfreshwater guide, Kissimmee, (407) 348-2040
- Kissimmee Fishing Chartersfreshwater guide, Saint Cloud, (321) 287-3903
- Froglife Outdoors Fishing Chartersfreshwater guide, Kissimmee, (407) 361-4101
- On Point Bassfreshwater guide, Saint Cloud, (407) 760-4859
- Champion PRO Guide Servicesfreshwater guide, Kissimmee, (407) 935-9344
- Richardson's Fish Campfreshwater guide, Kissimmee, (407) 847-6754
Towns close to Lake Kissimmee
- Frostproof19 miles
- Poinciana20 miles
- Lake Wales20 miles
County pages for Lake Kissimmee
- Osceola Countyseat: Kissimmee
- Polk Countyseat: Bartow
What anglers ask about Lake Kissimmee
What county is Lake Kissimmee in?
In Osceola County and Polk County, about 17 miles from Hillcrest Heights.
How many acres is Lake Kissimmee?
34,948 acres, per FWC.
Are there public boat ramps on Lake Kissimmee?
Yes, 7 ramps in the FWC inventory.
What should I fish for on Lake Kissimmee?
FWC lists Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie.
How big do bass get in Lake Kissimmee?
Lake Kissimmee has no TrophyCatch count on its FWC page.
What are the rules on Lake Kissimmee?
Yes. Lake Cypress (4,097 acres)
What license covers Lake Kissimmee?
Yes, the resident annual freshwater license costs $17.
Is Lake Kissimmee stocked?
The FWC reports show no stocking at Lake Kissimmee.
How do I check Lake Kissimmee levels?
The level box on this page reads USACE Jacksonville District CWMS (SFWMD data).
Plan a trip to Lake Kissimmee
Buy a license online before you go.