July 14, 2026
ICAST Cup on Big Toho This Week; Water Shortage Extended Through October
Major League Fishing runs the ICAST Cup out of Big Toho Marina this week, and SWFWMD's extreme water shortage now holds through October 1
Major League Fishing runs the 2026 ICAST Cup out of Big Toho Marina and Kissimmee Lakefront Park on July 14. Day 1 launches at 6:30 AM ET from 69 Lakeview Drive.
Coming Up
ICAST Cup 2026 — Lake Tohopekaliga, July 14 The field launches from Big Toho Marina and Kissimmee Lakefront Park. Toho continues to produce — Orlando Bass Guide reported morning charters averaging 15 to 25 bass, including a 9-pound-11-ounce fish landed by guide Jay.
Xtreme Bass Series — Stop 7 slate, July 11–12 The series ran its Central Florida and Kissimmee stops over the weekend. The Kissimmee stop launched Sunday, July 12; the Central Florida stop and North River Rodman stop ran Saturday, July 11. Finishing weights had not posted at the time of writing. These events feed toward the Falcon Boats Championship presented by Mercury Marine and Visit Okeechobee County.
On the Water
Lake Toho is holding up through the summer heat. The guide reports point to steady numbers on morning trips and bigger fish showing again — a 9-11 and a 7-pounder came off the lake in recent weeks.
Bluegill stay active year-round in Central Florida water, with no minimum size or closed season under FWC rules. That keeps the panfish on tap through July.
Worth Knowing
SWFWMD extends extreme water shortage through October 1 The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board voted to extend its Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage through October 1, 2026, citing ongoing drought across the region. The restriction requires all residents in the district — including those on private wells — to follow one-day-per-week watering schedules. Polk County lakes fall inside that footprint.
Blue-green algae on Lake Okeechobee The Florida Department of Health issued a toxic algae health alert July 10 for Lake Okeechobee on the west side of Port Mayaca, following a July 8 detection at the PALMOUT3 site. Health officials say not to swim, wade, run personal watercraft, or contact water where a bloom is visible. Okeechobee heads the Kissimmee River corridor, so check current DOH alert locations before running the big lake.
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