Lake Harris

(Lake County): Lake Harris is a 13,788-acre lake located south and east of the City of Leesburg. Access to the lake is from Singletary Park on the outskirts of Leesburg on U.S. Hwy 27, at a City of Leesburg boat ramp in Venetian Gardens off of SR 44 (Dixie Avenue), at the Hickory Point recreational on SR 19 south of Tavares, and in Astatula at a ramp on Florida Avenue west of C.R. 561. Lake Harris Lodge (352-343-4111) is a fish camp located on Lake Harris off US Hwy 19 south of Tavares, and Palm Gardens (352-343-2024) is located on US Hwy 441 near Tavares.

Largemouth bass fishing is productive along deepwater edges of vegetation and in canals. Bass are being caught on topwater plugs, plastic worms and crankbaits. Black crappie are biting well on minnows below the Highway 19 Bridge and while drifting the open water areas of the lake.  Shellcrackers often spawn here as early as March while blues frequently wait until April and May. Those seeking bluegill beds are advised to scout 4 to 6-foot depths in grassy areas at the far end of Little Lake Harris, along with the lily pads and spadderdock tracts near the 9th Street Canal near Leesburg Unusually big and thick shellcrackers can be taken near the 9th Street Canal and in Little Lake Harris. A tip: Look for blues tight to sawgrass shorelines in only one foot depths using grass shrimp.

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