May 19, 2026
SJRWMD Declares Phase III Extreme Water Shortage, Expanding Restrictions into Lake County
Heavy Hitters wrapped on Orange Lake this weekend while drought tightens watering rules across the district
The St. Johns River Water Management District declared a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage in response to worsening drought, declining groundwater, and reduced river flows. The order expands irrigation restrictions into parts of Lake County.
Worth Knowing
ClickOrlando reported on May 15 that the district's resources are stretched across all of its main responsibilities as the drought deepens.
SWFWMD's Modified Phase III order remains in effect across Polk and the Gulf Coast counties, holding lawn irrigation to one day per week through July 1. Polk County Utilities customers have been on shortened watering hours since April 3.
On the Water
Bluegill and shellcracker have been holding on and around bedding areas on Lake Kissimmee through May, and crappie are still catchable along deeper grass edges as surface temperatures climb. Bass on the Kissimmee Chain are on post-spawn patterns, with hydrilla mats and sand flats on Big Toho holding fish. On the Harris Chain, the early and late windows are producing on Lake Harris and Lake Dora, and bluegill bedding cycles continue on the new moon.
The MLF Bass Pro Tour Kubota Heavy Hitters event ran May 16 on Orange Lake, north of the Central Florida chains.
Coming Up
AFT Division 21 Two-Day Season Finale — Kissimmee Chain, June 6–7. American Bass Anglers returns to the Kissimmee Chain for the Division 21 closer.
MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Championship — Kissimmee Chain, September 18–20. The Pro Circuit returns to Kissimmee for its season-ending championship.
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