Jim Sweatman boated this largemouth bass while fishing on Turkey Lake in Orlando's southwest suburbs. Photo by John Felsher.

Anglers in one of the largest cities in Florida can often find excellent bass fishing just minutes from their downtown offices, thanks to a partnership between the city of Orlando and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Hundreds of small lakes and ponds dot the greater Orlando area for a total surface area of 60,000 acres. However, access on most urban lakes remains limited because land surrounding them is private property.

Therefore, the FWC established a program to help Central Florida urban anglers. In greater Orlando, the commission manages the Fab Five -- five urban lakes -- specifically for public fishing. These lakes are Turkey, Starke, Ivanhoe, Underhill and Clear. Each can provide good fishing at times, although they all receive tremendous pressure because of their close proximity to thousands of people.

"Our motto is 'bringing quality fishing to families,' " explained Jim Sweatman, the FWC Fish Orlando Program coordinator and a fisheries biologist. "Our job in the Fish Orlando Program is to provide and promote convenient quality fishing opportunities in the greater Orlando area.

"Each of these five lakes is extremely popular and can provide a quality fishing experience," he continued. "We've stocked them with baitfish, planted vegetation, removed detrimental vegetation, put out fish attractors, created places to fish from the banks and established regulations to manage these lakes for quality public fishing."

Anglers can launch their own boats with no motor restrictions on any of these, except Turkey Lake. Good ramps provide easy access for bass boats. People can also fish them from canoes or kayaks. Most also provide some type of bank- or pier-fishing. State regulations apply to all of the lakes except Turkey Lake and Underhill. On Turkey Lake and Underhill, anglers must release all the bass they catch.

Turkey Lake
"People can show up with absolutely nothing and fish here," explained Charly Whittle, the Turkey Lake dockmaster. "If necessary, we can even loan the anglers some fishing rods and tackle. If people don't know how to fish, I give them some instructions on how to cast, rig a bait and work a lure. I also point out some of the most productive spots on the lake to give them the best possibility of catching fish. Whether they catch fish or not, I want them to have a pleasurable experience."

On Turkey Lake, anglers may not fish from their own boats, but must reserve one of four 17-foot aluminum Bass Trackers available four days per week for a daily fee. Each boat comes equipped with a depthfinder, trolling motor, life jackets and other necessary equipment. Up to three anglers can fit in each boat and rent it for four hours. To reserve a boat at Turkey Lake, call 407-299-5581.

The FWC limits access to Turkey Lake because too much fishing pressure could ruin it. The state tries to keep it as one of the premier fisheries in Central Florida. Situated along the Florida Turnpike, Turkey Lake spreads across 339 acres adjacent to Bill Frederick Park on Hiawassee Road.