September 18, 2026
Williams Team Wins at Panasoffkee; Driest Year on Record Drops Lake Levels Across Central Florida
Central Florida just logged its driest year on record, with Orlando 15.29 inches below average and lake levels well below normal
Central Florida is now in its driest year on record. Orlando sits 15.29 inches below its average rainfall for this point in the year, and lake levels across the region are running below normal.
Results
Xtreme Bass Series — Citrus Division Stop 7, Lake Panasoffkee, July 26 Brandon Williams and Jesse Williams won with an 11.39-pound, three-bass limit over an 11-boat field.
On the Water
The Harris Chain is holding up in the summer heat. A recent Harris Chain tournament covered in the Apopka Chief saw Eric fish solo and win with five bass at 27.67 pounds, including the day's big fish at 7.64 pounds, over a 24-boat field.
Lake Toho and Lake Kissimmee near Kissimmee continue to produce largemouth through the summer, and the Harris Chain lakes — Harris, Eustis, Dora — stay in the mix for bass and panfish.
FWC Trophy Catch Season 14 runs through September 30. Anglers have until October 15 to complete submissions for bass logged this year.
There are no new freshwater regulation changes for 2026–2027. Bag and length limits carry over from last season.
Coming Up
MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Championship — Kissimmee Chain, mid-September The Pro Circuit season closes on the Kissimmee Chain. Cody Lachniet, who clinched a Bass Pro Tour bid and Rookie of the Year this season, is among the qualifiers heading into the championship. Practice traffic will build in the weeks ahead.
Worth Knowing
Driest year on record 2026 is now the driest year on record for Central Florida, per News 13. Orlando is 15.29 inches below average rainfall. Lake levels are well below normal across the region.
Water shortage holds through October 1 SWFWMD's Governing Board voted June 23 to extend its Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage through October 1. The order covers Polk County, Winter Haven, and the rest of southwest Florida. Citations and fines apply for violations. Most of Lake County falls under the St. Johns River Water Management District, which prohibits watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. year-round.
Lake Okeechobee algae alert still active The Florida Department of Health issued a public safety alert July 10 urging people to avoid contact with toxic blue-green algae in Lake Okeechobee. Avoid water that appears bright green, has surface scum, or smells bad. Okeechobee heads the Kissimmee River corridor feeding the chain south of Osceola County — check current advisory locations before launching.
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