Florida has more than 7,700 named lakes and ponds and over 10,000 miles of streams and rivers, all brimming with "bream." "Bream" is a local term throughout the southeast that includes a variety of deep-bodied panfish belonging to the sunfish family.
The most common of these are bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish (stumpknocker) and warmouth. Although black bass are technically in the sunfish family, they are not considered to be bream. Almost any water body in the Sunshine State, regardless of size or locale, contains the popular bluegill and, probably to a lesser extent, redear sunfish.
Sunfish concentrate to spawn in water depths that range anywhere from three to ten feet, but are usually found at the shallower end of this range. Bluegill seem to opt for slightly shallower areas, but it's not unusual to see shellcracker and bluegill intermingle, using the same bedding areas at the same time. Redear sunfish (shellcracker) typically begin spawning about one month before bluegill.
Seasonal advice for bluegill and redear sunfish: In south Florida, shellcracker may spawn as early as the last week of February but more likely around the fourth week of March. In central Florida, they could first go onto spawning beds during late March. If water temperatures remain low through March in central Florida waters, then expect shellcrackers to concentrate for spawning between the second and fourth weeks of April. They will likely begin to concentrate in the panhandle of Florida in the third or fourth weeks of May. Shellcracker will bed well into August, while bluegill will periodically spawn throughout the summer months and, sometimes, even as late as November in south Florida..
Based on fishery surveys and local expertise, here are predictions from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists on which sites they think should be highly productive for bream (in no particular order) for the year 2013 (see Top Sites Map 
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LAKE KISSIMMEE (East of the City of Lake Wales)
This 35,000-acre lake, located in the heart of Osceola County, remains one of the best bluegill and shellcracker fisheries in the state. The 24 miles of improved shoreline, plus its enhanced open areas, give Lake Kissimmee boaters and waders a super shot at spectacular catches. Anglers often anchor in open water or on grassy edges of the islands and shorelines and use weighted crickets to lure bluegill off their beds. Open areas off the boat trails also produce good numbers of fish. Historically, bream fishing is best June through August.
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WEST LAKE TOHOPEKALIGA / LAKE TOHO (South of the City of Kissimmee)
Aside from being one of the best bass fisheries in the country, Lake Toho near Kissimmee also supports one of the best bluegill/redear fisheries in the state. Areas enhanced a few years ago have continued to provide excellent spawning habitat for panfish. Surveys indicate that an abundance of large adult bluegill (up to 10 inches) inhabit FWC fish attractors year-round. Local fishing hot spots include grasslines or open-water areas at Brown's Point, the mouth of Goblet's Cove, and South Steer Beach. Lake Toho's bluegill and shellcracker can be taken on a variety of baits including earthworms, crickets, Beetle Spins, minnows, and doughballs.
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LAKE PANASOFFKEE (Southwest of Wildwood)
Lake Panasoffkee in Sumter County has long been famous for its bream production. Shellcracker are particularly cooperative during spring full-moon periods at Shell Point and between the Outlet River and Tracy's Point. Also, try the shell beds at the mouth of the Outlet River and in the middle of the lake offshore of the Outlet. Bluegill fishing should be very good this year from mid-April to September and can be found in all the aforementioned areas. Sunfish may also concentrate along the entire shore that has been dredged, exposing shell beds. If vegetation is clear, check out Little Jones Creek for some outstanding warmouth action.
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LAKE TALQUIN (West of Tallahassee)
Anglers in the Tallahassee area are advised to break out their fly rods, limber bream poles, or light spinning tackle this spring, because shellcrackers should be bedding in Lake Talquin by early May and bluegill won't be far behind. What's more, both species should continue biting well throughout the summer months. Local biologists recommend working the upper end of the reservoir and in the back of various creeks in depths ranging from three to seven feet. The standard fare-live worms and crickets, small jigs, Beetle Spins, and fly gear-will all provide good results.
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HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES (East of Leesburg)
If you're in the Leesburg area and have a hankering to tussle with some heavier-than-usual bluegill and shellcracker, both Big and Little Lake Harris will be to your liking. Some of the better locales include the grassy areas in four to six feet of water near Astatula and the Howey Bridge spanning Little Lake Harris, plus the lily pads and spatterdock patches near the 9th Street Canal out from Leesburg. Bluegill also will be found in shallow waters tight to sawgrass shorelines. Just downstream from Lake Harris, Lake Eustis has some of the best quality sunfish populations sampled by FWC in the Harris Chain of Lakes. Try the gravel fish attractors along the Eustis Lake Walk and the pier outside of the canal to the Eustis boat ramp. Also, fish the shell beds near the sailboat marina and along the east shore. The lily pads in Dead River are very popular with panfish anglers as well. Lake Griffin has produced some outstanding shellcracker fishing in the past few years. Anglers can find these feisty fish in the mouth of Haines Creek, Yale Canal, and along the wooded banks of the northern end near Pine Island. Recent surveys continue to indicate an abundant population of shellcracker in Lake Beauclair. Live worms and grass shrimp are the best baits throughout the chain.
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LAKE BRYANT (East of Ocala)
This Ocala National Forest lake covers 767 acres east of Lynn in Marion County. Public access is available at the Lake Bryant Fish Camp on 183rd Avenue south of SR 40 (fee ramp). This tannin-stained lake has an abundance of quality-sized bluegill (>9" long) and redear sunfish (>10" long). Habitat consists of lily pads and emergent grasses such as maidencane, knotgrass, and sawgrass. Peak activity for both species begins in April and runs throughout the spring and summer, especially around the full and new moon periods when the fish begin their bedding cycle. Live baits such as worms, crickets, and grass shrimp account for most of the catch, although fly fishermen do well with popping bugs, foam spiders, and sinking flies.
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LAKE MARIAN (Southeast Osceola County, east of Lake Kissimmee)
Although this 5,740-acre "sleeper" lake in southern Osceola County east of Lake Kissimmee doesn't receive much recognition, it's still one of the best panfishing locales. Shellcracker fishing is in full swing by late March or April and bluegill spawning activity isn't far behind. Panfishing success nearly always peaks around the full and new moon periods and may continue throughout the summer. The usual baits-worms, crickets and grass shrimp-are popular, while tossing tiny spinner baits on ultralight tackle can also be extremely productive.
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LAKE MARION (East of Haines City)
Both bluegill and redear sunfish are present in good numbers and sizes in this 3,000 acre lake. Fishing for both species begins in late spring (May-June) and lasts through the summer. Anglers use redworms or wigglers but the best bait is grass shrimp. The most successful will use a cane pole, with or without a float, and drop the bait among the lily pads located in the north end of the lake. This technique is particularly deadly when fish are congregated during spawning periods. Other areas to try are brush piles and stick-ups along the west shore from Bannon's Fish Camp Southward.
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LAKE ISTOKPOGA (Near Sebring)
Located a few miles southeast of Sebring, the large, relatively shallow Lake Istokpoga is outstanding for bluegill. Panfish anglers can concentrate their efforts from April through June around the inshore and offshore cattail and bulrush areas. In other months, likely spots for bluegill and shellcracker include Big Island, Grassy Island, Bumble Bee Island, around various sandy bars, and along the edges of eelgrass. Anglers prefer crickets for bluegill and live worms for shellcracker. Fly fishing anglers can experience great action with small popping bugs.
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WINTER HAVEN SOUTH CHAIN OF LAKES (Winter Haven, Polk County)
Tucked in and amongst the city streets of Winter Haven in north-central Polk County, the south portion of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes offers some of the finest and most easily accessible bream (bluegill and shellcracker) fishing in central Florida. Polk County is home to 554 named lakes and typically sells more freshwater fishing licenses annually than any other county in the state. That's because residents take their bream fishing seriously! The chain is comprised of 14 lakes ranging in size from 25 to 1,160 acres and totals just over 4,000 acres of fishable waters that offer a wide variety of habitats for both bream and bream anglers, from shoreline bulrush/cattail stands and cypress trees to open water beds of eelgrass and pondweed. The unique residential/urban setting allows anglers to watch bald eagles circling overhead in Lake Shipp or take in a water ski show while plying the waters of Lake Eloise at Florida's newest theme park, Legoland! FWC Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management personnel sample the chain's sportfish twice a year and routinely observe bream 10 inches in length or more with weights over a half-pound. A recent angler creel survey revealed success rates for bream in the 4 fish/hour range, well above the state average. Standard state regulations apply to the entire chain-50 panfish (bream) per person per day. Ample public access is available in the form of six boat ramps, two fishing piers, bank fishing at a half-dozen city parks, and public easements alongside the numerous canals that form the connecting links between lakes. Crickets, wigglers, or grass shrimp are best bets for live bait while small Beetle Spins and jigs lead the artificial arsenal. Guide services, fishing forecasts, and lodging may be found through Polk County's Outpost 27 Visitor Center, www.sunnycentralflorida.com.
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CHOCTAWATCHEE RIVER (Northwest of Panama City)
For river and stream lovers in Florida's Panhandle, the Choctawatchee River is ideal, particularly for shellcracker aficionados. Shellcracker usually bed in quieter waters during April and remain active through the early-fall months. If boating around in smaller creeks off the main channel and sloughs during the late spring and summer months, be sure to also try for some redbreast sunfish, stumpknocker (spotted sunfish), and warmouth. Worms, crickets, and grass shrimp are favorite baits.
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SUWANNEE RIVER (Flows south from north central Florida)
Although bluegill and shellcracker can be readily caught in the Suwannee River, this river is second to none for quality-sized spotted sunfish (stumpknocker) and redbreast sunfish. These scrappy fish provide good action in the middle river section and even better fishing in the lower portions. Try near tree banks on deep shores, the mouths of creeks, and along water lilies. Use crickets, mealworms, Beetle Spins, or fly fishing tackle with small popping bugs. Catalpa worms are a big favorite, if they are available.
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MOSAIC FISH MANAGEMENT AREA (Southwest of Bartow)
This 1,000-acre cooperative Fish Management Area near Ft. Meade in Southern Polk County can provide some excellent bream fishing opportunities during the summer months. The dozen lakes on the area range in size from ten to 200 acres and many have shorelines with an abundant supply of woody brush, tree tops, and vegetation that are perfect for placing a well-hooked worm or cricket under a float to entice bluegill or shellcrackers. Casting a small spinner or jig into the deeper areas can also produce fish at times. Try lakes SP12 South, SP11, and Haul Road Pit for some of the better action. The area is only open to fishing four days a week (Friday-Monday) and it's first-come, first-serve but don't worry, you'll always have a spot somewhere.
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LAKE OKEECHOBEE (Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Hendry, and Glades counties)
The bluegill and shellcracker populations in Lake Okeechobee are providing excellent fishing opportunities to anyone seeking a fight from the other end of a line. At 730 square miles, Lake Okeechobee is Florida's largest lake and the second largest body of fresh water in the contiguous United States. This vast expanse of water includes more than 150,000 acres of productive vegetation. A 100-yard wide rim canal circles the lake, and many secondary canals and cuts are linked to it, resulting in hundreds of miles of available fishing water. Big bream can be found in the grassy areas of the "Big O" during most times of year and in shallow, sandy areas while spawning in late spring and summer. Other excellent fishing areas are along the edges of the surrounding canals and the mouth of the Kissimmee River. Beetle Spins, grass shrimp, and crickets are the preferred baits for bluegill and shellcracker.
Numerous boat ramps, fish camps and marinas are located around the lake. An interactive fishing map can be found at:
Descriptions of launching areas can be found at:
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Divisions/Operations/Branches/SFOO/recreation_boatfish_ramps.htm
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NOTE: For more information about these lakes, contact the following FWC biologists:
Lake Kissimmee, Lake Marian and West Lake Toho - Kevin McDaniel (407) 846-5300
Lake Panasoffkee - Marty Hale (352) 732-1225
Lake Talquin - Andy Strickland (850) 265-3676
Lake Bryant - Marty Hale (352) 732-1225
Lake Harris Chain - John Benton (352) 742-6438
Lake Istokpoga - Beacham Furse (863) 462-5190
Choctawhatchee River - Chris Paxton (850) 819-3456
Suwannee River - Allen Martin (386) 758-0525
Mosaic Fish Management Area - Eric Johnson (863) 648-3200
Lake Okeechobee - Corey Lee (863) 462-5190
Lake Marion - Ray Watson (863) 648-3200
Lakes Orange and Lochloosa - Eric Nagid (352) 392-9617 Ext 240
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