Lake Trafford

[1234567]

Supposedly the lake is in the process of being restored. 50000 bullrush plants and a quarter million bass fingerlings dumped into the lake. I learned in the past there were major fish kills in this lake.

Was this lake ever a good bass fishing lake and does anyone think it is now or will become a great bass fishing lake.

I'm also curious about the depths of Trafford. Is this a natural or man made lake. It looks like a mini Okeechobee.

I would like to try this lake but just wondering if anyone thinks its worth the time. Its hard knowing Okeechobee is only 30 minutes away from here!

Thanks

Tony

[FL_Sharpshooter]

Supposedly the lake is in the process of being restored. 50000 bullrush plants and a quarter million bass fingerlings dumped into the lake. I learned in the past there were major fish kills in this lake.

Was this lake ever a good bass fishing lake and does anyone think it is now or will become a great bass fishing lake.

I'm also curious about the depths of Trafford. Is this a natural or man made lake. It looks like a mini Okeechobee.

I would like to try this lake but just wondering if anyone thinks its worth the time. Its hard knowing Okeechobee is only 30 minutes away from here!

Thanks

Tony

I have heard it is half decent from some of the locals here in Lehigh, but they say it's also really infested with gators. I personally haven't tried it out yet. From what I gathered too, they say to only take an air boat as well. What part of FM are you in? I live at least 45mins from Okeechobee and I only live less than 4 miles down from 80. Go one street up from my house and I am in Alva. 2 streets east and go across the bridge and I'm in Hendry County. Still can't get the parents convinced to take the pontoon out there though..! Have you had the chance to try it out yet?

[1234567]

I havn't gone yet. I was considering it, but I think I'll just head to Okeechobee. There's so many places to try now that I change my mind every day now!

[FL_Sharpshooter]

I havn't gone yet. I was considering it, but I think I'll just head to Okeechobee. There's so many places to try now that I change my mind every day now!

No need to pick one or the other...go to em all!

[gar-tracker]

Man I fished Trafford a hundred years ago, used to hold some monsters, it just got to the point where the weeds just took over.

We would drive over from Ft Lauderdale, but after getting burned on being able to penetrate the hydrilla we stopped going.

I remember me and a friend would scrounge up just enough gas, beer and toll money. At times coming back we couldn't pay to get off the Alley, they would get ticked and make us fill out a form.

Back then they hit you coming and going. I think it was like 75cents to show you how broke we were.

Signed: Father Time

[1234567]

gar-tracker,

do you know if the fish kill basically wiped out the entire bass population? Its a decent size lake and I would like to think that alot of bass survived. It seems like it is not very pressured and I'd really like to learn it, just trying to decide if it's worth the time with Big O down the road.

[gar-tracker]

I don't really have any first hand knowledge on the fish kill, however their a normal part of nature and in the Florida swamps with our fast growing season down south, it will replenish in no time at all.

Rarely do fish kills wipe out an entire population of fish and as fertile as that lake is I'm sure their still hiding in there.

But It is hard to pass up Big O, especially how good its been.

[1234567]

Anyone been or heard anything lately? Thinking about trying it soon.

[gar-tracker]

If you live in Ft Myers give it a try, It may be worth it. That cold snap may have knocked back a lot of the weeds.

 

Im curiouse to know.

[shanksmare]

There was an article about Lake Trafford in Bassmaster magazine in the 1970's. The lake was touted as being one of the best bass lakes in the country at the time. Unfortunately water quality issues lead to its demise sometime after that. They have been trying to re-establish the bass fishery in recent years there. I'm not sure how successful these efforts have been.

[basshead1]

I have heard about lots of people hearing things lately but I have not heard from anyone who actually has been there.

I heard all of the above.

Fish kill.

Weeds.

Too many gators.

I also heard the water is so low that it is hard to launch and that is why the other excuses came up.

There is a tackle shop at the launch there maybe give them a call and ask.

I may do that tomorrow myself because I am curious and I always wanted to fish there too.

Let us know if you end up calling and I will do the same.

Good luck.

[1234567]

I've thought about calling Olesky's but I just "assumed" he would tell me how great everything is just to get more people down there for business. I really hope that lake is ready, I really want to try it out soon!