Toho?

[rboat]

Not sure what happened to Toho, I am not sure if they had draw it down for summer rain or what, but the entire lake was so shallow you could walk across it. The big motor got stuck several times even with it tilted up high. She sucked in a lot of sand and mud and the hydrilla was so thick it would at times stop you. You could not run up on plane much for fear of running aground. I hope she gets abundant rain or they may have just ruined a good fishery. In recent years they have been so scared of summer rains and hurricanes, they draw the water down in the summer, way too low in my opinion. I used to catch several good fish each time out. Now nothing.  

[TOXIC]

Sad to hear.  Coupled with all of the uncontrolled spraying, the Florida fisheries are having some problems. 

[Dwight Hottle]

The state of Florida draws down almost all lakes for the summer rainy season & hurricane season. 

[Ski]

8 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

The state of Florida draws down almost all lakes for the summer rainy season & hurricane season. 

Curious Dwight, How is a lake drawn down that does not have a dam?

I fish lake Orange regularly and it also is way down.

[Dwight Hottle]

The state controls all the water levels through a system of hydraulic control structures or gates. Most of the gates flow into canals for drainage. From what I understand almost all bodies of water are interconnected through this drainage system. 

[rboat]

The big problem is it makes navigation dangerous. Also with the water level so low, hydrilla grows unchecked and chokes out everything. The shallow water warms quickly.  This makes the entire body of water have less dissolved oxygen. The trash fish like, Bowfin, Plecos, Carp, and Gar thrive and reproduce in this environment. None of this is good for a bass fishery especially if we do not get our normal summer rain amount.

[FD.]

Toho is right where it's supposed to be this time of year, and is the same elevation every June that is has been for the last 60 years. 

 

 

You can find out for yourself here

 

https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/plots.htm

 

 

The invasive plant managment on Toho is highly regulated by a team of wildlife biologist from the FWC.  I meet with them several times a year to discuss the ongoing projects and  upcoming plans for the Kissimmee Chain.  This is available to anyone and is encouraged by the biologists.

 

https://youtu.be/HbVv9JdUW-Q

 

[FD.]

I was on Toho last Friday with a guide trip and had no problems navigating the lake.

 

I give away a guide trip once a month to U.S. Veterans and June's winner was Mike S.  Here is the video of him and his buddy having a great time.

 

https://youtu.be/G9WbuIaVBzo

[Captain Phil]

I have fished Toho during numerous past draw downs.  We would launch south of the lock, lock through and idle out to the middle where the deepest part was about 4 feet.   The bass fishing was incredible.  Florida lakes are shallow.   Water fluctuations are normal and desirable.  Draw downs control hydrilla and rejuvenate the lake.  When the water level is low, the shallows are exposed. Wind clears the bottom and the sun drys it out.  When the water returns, bass bed on cleared sand and their population increases. Without water fluctuations, the lake bottom will turn to muck and fishing will decline.  Don't worry, be happy. 

[roadwarrior]