Lake Toho (Tohopekaliga)— Featured Fishing Destination

Lake Toho (Tohopekaliga) is rich in history, wildlife, recreation, and of course, bass fishing. It is home to Florida's largest bass fishing site and renowned as a nationally-ranked bass fishing lake. It brings tons of visitors for fishing, tournaments, and other recreational opportunities every year.

Just how many large bass are in Lake Toho? Florida Wildlife Commission biologists have indicated that Lake Toho has one bass over 10 pounds for every 10 acres of lake, meaning there are potentially 2,300 bass over 10 pounds in the lake.

Lake Toho is a Legendary Lake

This lake is one of the most famous trophy bass fishing lakes in the country and attracts anglers from all over with the lure of catching big numbers and trophy bass. Every year, there are several fishing tournaments, including the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Tournament Series and the Fishing League Worldwide Professional Bass Tournament.

Lake Toho is also home to bass fishing history. In 2002, on West Lake Tohopekaliga, Elite Pro Dean Rojas broke the BASS Anglers Sportsman's Society record for the heaviest five-bass limit ever caught at 45 pounds, 2 ounces in a day. Captain Ed Chancy holds the record for the largest bass ever caught at Lake Toho. His catch weighed in at 16 pounds, ten ounces. The world record for the largest woman-caught bass at 14 pounds, 5 ounces, was also set at Lake Toho. It’s continually named in top lists for bass fishing and has been named by Bassmaster Magazine as a top bass fishing lake in the Southeastern United States.

At 23,000 acres and 42 miles in circumference, this is the biggest lake in Florida's Osceola County. Despite being known for bass, the fishing doesn't stop there. It's a popular destination for fishing various species, and anglers can catch a variety of panfish and bycatch species, including channel catfish, black crappie, spotted sunfish, redear sunfish, chain pickerel, bluegill, and longnose gar.

Part of the reason this lake is so prime for bass and other fish is the environment around the lake. A combination of shoreline vegetation and shallow water creates a unique environment. There are plenty of places for fish to inhabit, such as the hydrilla grass, bullrush, and maidencane that grow in shallow water along the shoreline. The shallow waters of Lake Toho mean temperatures don't drop as low as in other lakes, and bass can stay active for a longer portion of the year. There are tons of nutrients in the water for bass and other fish species to grow and thrive.

Where to Fish in Lake Toho

Lake Toho is home to two fish camps, four public boat ramps, and one marina. This lake is the primary inflow of Shingle Creek and is linked to East Lake Toho by St. Cloud Canal. When the water is flowing strong enough, you can also fish the tributaries around Shingle Creek and St. Cloud Canal.

Several local spots are known as top fishing holes. GuideFishing.com’s Fishing Guides and Charters claims that Goblet’s Cove, Brown’s Point, and North Steer Beach top the list, along with man-made fish attractors that draw bass to points of the lake in warmer weather. Join a local guided tour to learn more about the top local spots to fish around the lake.

There are several popular ways to fish Lake Toho, including by boat, canoe, or kayak. Visitors can access public boat launches. There's also an opportunity to fish from the shore or join a guided group that will take you out on the water.

Important History of Tohopekaliga

"Tohopekaliga" comes from the Seminole Native American Tribe and means "we will gather together here." They have been fishing the Everglades for hundreds of years. After the Seminole Wars, the Seminoles remained in remote environments of Florida wilderness, where they lived off the local resources and in isolation. They lived in camps of chickees, which consisted of palmetto thatch over a cypress wood frame. The Seminoles adopted this structure of housing because it was easy to build and destroy when U.S. troops pursued them. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is the only tribe that never signed a peace treaty with the United States.

Other Recreational Activities at Lake Toho

If you’re not an avid angler, there’s still plenty to do at Lake Toho. From hiking to wildlife viewing, the area offers plenty of recreational activities.

The scenic lakefront park offers a walking trail where you can enjoy views of the picturesque lighthouse. If you're lucky, you might be able to view wildlife such as alligators, waterfowl, otters, ospreys, and turtles, among others. You can also rent or bring a bike and ride bikes or take a scenic drive around the lake. Don't miss watching a sunset on Lake Toho!

For birdwatchers, head to the north end of the lake for prime wildlife viewing. There’s a narrow shoreline where you can keep your eyes out for a variety of birds. Some birds you can find include Snail Kites, Wood Storks, Limpkins, and Fulvous Whistling Ducks. Other birds to watch out for include songbirds, warblers, Snowy Egrets, Boat-tailed Grackles, Ospreys, Whooping Crane, Purple Martins, and even Bald Eagles.

At the north end of the lake, the Lake Toho Marina is a recreational hub of downtown Kissimmee, Florida. Enjoy recreational adventure opportunities like renting a canoe or kayak, or hop on one of the boat tours or airboat tours offered there. If you need fishing gear, you can pick up a fishing skiff or fishing rod or purchase bait. For a day out with family and friends, enjoy lakeside picnics at one of the many barbecues and grills, or rent a pavilion or a pontoon boat for your group.

Lake Toho RV Resort has a campground with RV hookups if you're looking to camp or stay overnight. The campground also provides a bait and tackle shop, boat slips, and a spot to launch. There are also plenty of hotels, motels, and rental units in the area.

Popular attractions and restaurants nearby:

Paul’s Italian Deli & Restaurant serves top-rated Italian food nearby in Kissimmee, Florida

• Paul’s Italian Deli & Restaurant, 812 E Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34744, (407) 933-0766

If you’re looking for tasty BBQ, Big John’s Rockin’ BBQ in Kissimmee or Boggy Bottom BBQ on the south end of Lake Toho are your best bets

• Big John’s Rockin’ BBQ, 220 E Monument Ave Ste A, Kissimmee, FL 34741, (407) 483-7770

• Boggy Bottom BBQ, 2001 E Southport Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746, (407) 279-5050

For fine-dining seafood, check out The Grille at Bellalago

• The Grille at Bellalago, 1210 Lago Vista Ct, Kissimmee, FL 34746, (407) 201-6423

Kissimmee Marina by Lake Toho also serves meals close to the lake.

• Kissimmee Marina by Lake Toho, 69 Lakeview Dr, Kissimmee, FL 3474, (407) 910-4313

Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is just 30 miles away.

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