Lake Conway ( Conway Chain of Lakes)

Lake Conway, or the Conway Chain of lakes as the locals call it is actually four interconnected pools (east, west, middle and south) in the south Orlando area. The larger of only two public boat ramps is located off Hoffner Avenue, two blocks east of Orange Avenue (SR 527).

Like the Butler Chain, public bank access is, for all practical purposes, non-existent. The chain has nearly 1,800 acres of clear water and hard sand bottom, with beds of peppergrass, eelgrass and hydrilla scattered offshore.

Largemouth bass fishing is good in every season except summer when the bass often suspend and become difficult to catch. One of Conway’s “claims to fame” is its schooling bass during late fall and early winter. In fact, schooling activity often seems to be best during cold, post-front conditions that shut down many of the area’s shallow lakes.

Schooling bass can be found by locating surface activity or by watching birds feeding in offshore areas (Try the buoy line in the east pool). Jigging spoons, topwater lures, soft jerkbaits and white spinnerbaits will all catch schooling bass; however, it is important to remain flexible, because what worked one day will often be ignored the next.