Fishing

 Fishing is definitely the most common activity of the regular park visitors.  No matter what time of day or year, you come to the park you will always find someone fishing.  This is not surprising when you discover that Saddle Creek Park has more lakeside bank fishing available than any other park or public facility in Polk County.  The lakeside areas are very well maintained and provide very convenient and easy access for fishing, as you can see in the picture below.

For people who prefer to fish from their boats, there are five boat ramps at different areas around the park.  Click here for a map to show you where they are.  Most of the lake fishing in Saddle Creek is not in large open areas, it is broken into smaller more secluded parts where you can fish in peace and quiet

There is also fishing access to Saddle Creek itself.  This can be found around the first half of the Nature Trail at the north eastern part of the park.

Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie and Bluegill Bream are the most common fish at the park.  February through April is definitely the best time to fish for Bass and the winter months are the best for the Black Crappie.  

For more information and fishing supplies there is actually a bait and tackle shop right at the south entrance to the park at the left side of the road called Philips Bait and Tackle.

Fishing Regulations
All Bass caught between 15 and 24 inches must be released.  There is also a daily bag limit of 3.
For Catfish there is a daily bag limit of 6.
No castnets are allowed.
Fishing is now allowed in the lakes on the Tenoroc Trail
A Florida fishing license is required for all fishing in the park.
For additional license information call 1-888-347-4356

Below are two of the best fishers you will see at the park