Winter Haven Chain of Lakes fishing charters
Guided largemouth bass trips on the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes in Polk County, plus a shorter Legoland Florida fishing tour.
The Winter Haven Chain is 22 lakes, about 9,000 acres, mostly within the City of Winter Haven. Book 4-, 6- or 8-hour bass trips, or a 3- or 4-hour Legoland Florida fishing tour, online with live dates.
Book your Winter Haven Chain fishing trip
Every calendar below shows live availability. Choose your number of guests, a date and a time, then book.
Bass trips
4-hour bass charter
6-hour bass charter
8-hour bass charter
Legoland Florida fishing tour
3-hour Legoland fishing tour
4-hour Legoland fishing tour
Your guide confirms the boat ramp or meeting spot and start time with you before the trip. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
How do you book a Winter Haven Chain of Lakes fishing charter?
iOutdoors books 4-, 6- and 8-hour guided largemouth bass trips on the Winter Haven Chain, in Winter Haven, east of Lakeland, with live dates online. The guide provides the boat, fuel, rods, reels and lures, and each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt.
What's included and what's not
- Professional local fishing guide
- Boat and fuel
- Rods, reels and tackle
- Artificial lures
- Life jackets
- Florida freshwater fishing license (required for most anglers 16 and older)
- Live wild shiners (optional; ask your guide about the cost)
- Guide tip (10–20% is customary)
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to the boat ramp
What to bring
Winter Haven Chain of Lakes
The Winter Haven Chain of Lakes is 22 lakes, about 9,000 acres, mostly within the City of Winter Haven in Polk County. It is split into a North Chain and a South Chain, connected by a lock between Lakes Hartridge and Conine.
Every bass trip on this page fishes the chain for largemouth bass; FWC says most of its lakes offer the chance at the fish of a lifetime, and anglers have logged more than 270 bass of 8 pounds or more in its TrophyCatch program. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and catfish live here too. Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip.
Fish you can catch on the Winter Haven Chain
Know your fish →
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change: see the FWC freshwater fishing regulations.
Reviews from Winter Haven Chain trips
5.060 reviews
We had a great day with Captain Reno. We had 6 people and we all caught bass. My sister caught the biggest large mouth bass 6lbs her first time catching a fish. She had a blast.Thank you Captain Reno for a great day.
Brenda Smith · February 2026 · Google
Bass Fishing Trip
Great day of fishing on the Winter Haven Chain with an exceptional guide. Took out my daughter on a fishing trip. Looking forward to next trip out!
Ken K. · January 2026
Spectacular Day of Fishing
Can\'t say how great the fishing on the the Winter Haven Chain is. We got to fish this lake and many more. You will be in good hands with the professional guides here. Thankful for this fun and action packed day with my family!
Betty Kirk · January 2026
Winter Haven Chain Fishing
Excellent day on the water fishing on the Winter Haven Chain. Lots of largemouth bass. Fantastic guide. Professional service and it was easy to book and explore Lake Eloise with my family.
Brent T. · January 2026
Winter Haven Bass
Great Capt he knew the secret spots definitely put us on the fish. In all honesty it was a great trip, the only thing I can say that that threw me off was having to pay for the bait we used at the end of the trip. I guess I should’ve read the fine print. I have used fishing booker about 10 other…
Joe S. · October 2025
Capt. Reno turned our fishing trip into a fantastic adventure. His deep understanding of the waters and expert guidance led to an abundance of great catches. He was not only skilled but also friendly and engaging, which made the entire day enjoyable. Capt. Reno’s dedication to ensuring we had the…
Benjamin Holloway · January 2025 · Google
Our day with Capt. Bill was phenomenal! He took us to the best fishing spots and made sure we were well-prepared for a successful day. His passion for fishing and dedication to providing a great experience were clear from the start. We caught plenty of fish and learned a lot from his expert advice…
Gary Evans · January 2025 · Google
Our trip with Capt. Bill was truly outstanding! His extensive knowledge of the waters and where the fish were biting made all the difference. We caught a variety of fish, and his friendly and professional attitude made the whole experience enjoyable. It was evident that he loves what he does, and…
Nora Eastwood · January 2025 · Google
Cold day but had fun in the winter haven chain with Captain Bill
Keri Clark · December 2024 · Google
Great morning of fishing with Captain Bill Goudy Jr on the Winter Haven Chain. Cold and windy but still a lot of fun!
Scott Arterburn · December 2024 · Google
Winter Haven w Captain Reno
We had four outings booked in our week down in Orlando. Our first outing was with Captain Reno. He’s a vary knowledgeable guy and we had a lot o9f fun in our four hours with him. And we caught a mess of fish! Would definitely book with Reno again. Thanks brother!
Mike Neals · December 2024
Fishing with Bill
Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Fishing Trip - 4 Hrs Schedule : Morning Session (Private)
Bob Mueller · December 2023
Winter Haven Chain fishing: what you can catch
Winter Haven Chain fishing is about largemouth bass. FWC also lists bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and catfish across the 22 lakes. Winter and early spring bring the spawn; crappie fishing improves as the water cools.
What's biting by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Bass spawn season and the best shot at a big fish
- Crappie improve as the water cools
Spring Mar–May
- Late spawn and post-spawn bass
- Bluegill and shellcracker on beds
Summer Jun–Aug
- Early-morning bass over submersed grass
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bass school over grass patches as it cools
- Every angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Buy it online before the trip.
- Black bass: 5 per person per day, and only 1 may be 16" or longer. Some waters have special bass rules; your guide will tell you before the trip.
- Crappie: 25 per person per day, 10" minimum.
Source: FWC. Limits change; your guide has the current rules.
Winter Haven Chain of Lakes fishing guide
The Winter Haven Chain of Lakes is 22 lakes in Polk County, mostly within the City of Winter Haven. Largemouth bass are the main target.
Where you’ll fish
The Winter Haven Chain is split into a North Chain and a South Chain, joined by a lock between Lakes Hartridge and Conine. Every bass trip on this page fishes the chain. Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time before the trip.
How the trips work
Trips run from a bass boat. Your guide provides rods, reels and artificial lures, and can set you up with live wild shiners, which are optional and cost extra. Most bass are photographed and released.
Best time to go
Bass fishing is good all year. Winter and early spring bring the spawn and the best shot at a big fish; FWC says crappie fishing improves as the water cools. In summer, go early before the heat and afternoon storms.
Tips for planning your trip
Buy a Florida freshwater fishing license online before the trip. Morning trips usually fish best, especially in summer.
Questions about Winter Haven Chain of Lakes trips
How much does a Winter Haven Chain of Lakes fishing charter cost?
Bass trips start at $325 for 4 hours, $425 for 6 hours and $550 for 8 hours. The Legoland Florida fishing tour starts at $350 for 3 hours and $400 for 4 hours. The live calendar shows the price for each date.
What fish can I catch on the Winter Haven Chain?
Largemouth bass are the main target. FWC also lists bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and catfish across the chain.
What is included?
Your guide, the bass boat and fuel, rods, reels and tackle, artificial lures and life jackets. The Florida freshwater license, live shiners and the guide’s tip are not included.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. You can buy one online before the trip.
How many people can come?
Up to 4 people on the bass boat. Choose your number of guests in the calendar.
What is the Legoland Florida fishing tour?
A shorter guided fishing tour (3 or 4 hours) booked on its own calendar on this page. Pick a date in the Legoland tour calendar; your guide confirms the meeting spot and start time with you before the trip.
Which trip length should I book?
A 4-hour bass trip is a good first trip and fits families. Book 6 or 8 hours for more time on the water. The Legoland Florida fishing tour runs 3 or 4 hours.
Where do we meet?
Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip. The chain is in Winter Haven, east of Lakeland.
What if the weather is bad?
If the guide cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule. You can also cancel for free up to 72 hours before your trip.
When is the best time to fish the Winter Haven Chain?
Bass fishing is good all year. Winter and early spring bring the spawn and the best shot at a big fish; in summer, go early in the morning.
Nearby lakes
More lakes with guided bass trips in Central Florida.
