This Lake Harris fishing report covers what’s biting right now — the Harris Chain is still fishing like late summer, and Lake Harris is producing well for anyone willing to work the grass. Water’s still warm this time of year, so the pattern hasn’t shifted into full fall mode yet — but the bite has been consistent for anglers targeting the right cover.
What’s Working
Texas-rigged worms are the top producer on Lake Harris right now, especially fished over and through the hydrilla. Cast it out, let it settle on top of the grass, then slowly work it through — most bites come as the worm clears the hydrilla stalks, so pay close attention to your line. A lot of the time you won’t feel a hard thump, you’ll just see your line start moving sideways or feel a soft tick as it comes off the grass. Green pumpkin, black/blue, and Mardi Gras colors have all been producing well.
Bladed jigs and football jigs are also putting fish in the boat, along with frogs and toads worked over matted grass mid-morning once the sun gets up. If you’re flipping docks, cypress trees, or laydowns near the grass lines, a Texas-rigged creature bait in green pumpkin or black/blue is a solid choice — several nice fish have come off dock edges and grass transitions lately.
Where to Look
Fish are holding tight to the reed and grass lines in 5-8 feet of water, with some suspending a little farther off the bank in open water as the day warms up. Matted grass and dock cover are producing well for flipping, especially where there’s a mix of grass and shade. Wind-blown banks and points where the grass meets deeper water are always worth a few extra casts this time of year — active fish tend to stack up on those transitions.
Little Lake Harris
The grassy flats on the far end of Little Lake Harris, along with the lily pads and spadderdock near the 9th Street Canal, are holding good numbers of bluegill and shellcracker in 4-6 feet of water — a great spot if you want to mix in some panfish action with the bass bite. There’s a small ramp on the east side in Astatula if you’re launching specifically to fish this end of the chain, and the shoreline here is mostly lined with cattail and bulrush in 2-5 feet of water, which can be a good option to duck into if the wind picks up out on the bigger water.
Heads Up
This chain has a healthy population of largemouth thanks to ongoing FWC habitat work and stockings over the years, so don’t be surprised if you run into some quality fish mixed in with the numbers. The Harris Chain connects Lake Harris to Lake Eustis through the Dead River, so if the bite slows down on Harris, it’s worth knowing that connection is there for exploring a change of scenery without trailering the boat.
If you’re fishing artificial only, don’t overlook wind-blown points and secondary grass lines mid-day when the main bite slows — bass often stack up in those transition areas waiting to ambush baitfish pushed by the wind. Live bait anglers do well working wild shiners along the same grass edges, especially early and late in the day when fish are actively feeding
Stop by Get Hooked Bait and Tackle for wild shiners, worms, and everything else you need before you hit the Harris Chain! 🎣
