Top 11 Best Lakes To Visit in Florida
The lakes are the ideal summer destination for those who want a place to relax and cool off without descending to cramped beach destinations. In the vast ... read more...region like Florida, there is no shortage of beautiful lakes. Let's join Toplist to discover the best lakes to visit in Florida!
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Blue Cypress Lake, formerly known as Lake Wilmington, is located in Indian River County along Florida's Treasure Coast. It is the biggest lake in Indian River County and the Treasure Coast. Blue Cypress Lake is a stunning location with an area of 6,500 acres and an average depth of 8 feet.
The cypress trees' blue look when the early sun's rays reflect off the water gave the lake its name. A large portion of the lake's edge is lined with cypress trees, whose twigs hang over the crystal-clear waters to create a breathtaking scene. Blue Cypress is a well-liked fishing location due to the abundance of fish it is home to, especially largemouth bass. Its main rivals are the stunning marshes and marshy areas. Blue Cypress Lake is also one of the best lakes to visit in Florida.
The most magnificent species in Florida can be found in great abundance in Blue Cypress Lake, which feeds the St. John's River. There are several fish among them. In fact, there is so much largemouth bass in this lake that fishermen come from all over to fish there since it is considered to be one of the "best" fishing spots in the state.
Location: Indian River County, near Fellsmere, Florida
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Lake Okeechobee is affectionately referred to as "the Huge O" by locals. The largest lake in Florida, Okeechobee, encompasses five counties and is close to 450,000 acres in size. In order to finally enter the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, it connects with the Okeechobee Waterway. Lake Okeechobee is barely nine feet deep on average despite its enormous circumference.
One of the best fishing spots in the state is here. Catfish spotted perch, and largemouth bass is among the many species that anglers can catch here. Even while not everyone enjoys running to a delectable finish line, Okeechobee offers fantastic options for peaceful, scenic living with its lakeside camping and boating opportunities. Local tour guides are more than happy to take you on a tour around the lake, frequently in conjunction with a fishing trip. For guests to stay longer, camping and nearby cottage rentals are offered.
The Herbert Hoover Dike, constructed in 1928, surrounds the second-largest freshwater lake fully within U.S. borders. Rich soil surrounding the dike supports a prosperous sugarcane economy, and roads through the flatland surroundings lead you among the sweet crops' fluttering fronds and the villages that benefit from them.
Location: Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, and Hendry counties, Florida
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Snowbirds, especially anglers, find Lake Dora to be a sanctuary. This breathtaking area, which is a part of Lake County's Harris Chain of Lakes, spans over 4,500 acres. The closest communities to the lake are Tavares and Mount Dora, which are located just over 40 minutes northwest of Orlando (on its north and east shores). The businesses, eateries, and boat launches that are closest to you can be found here.
The lake is popular with retirees, vacationers, and anglers. It is close to the towns of Dora and Tavares, where guests may find a variety of stores, eateries, and warm hospitality. On top of boating and fishing, Lake Dora offers visitors the chance to kayak, windsurf, and even go jet skiing! The Dora Canal is a well-known location for birdwatching and offers breathtaking views of the Florida wetlands and the local animals. If you don't like fishing, you can waterski, Jet Ski, windsurf, canoe, or kayak instead. Lake Dora is also one of the best lakes to visit in Florida.
Location: Tavares and Mount Dora, Lake County, Florida
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On the St. Johns River in the U.S. state of Florida, there is a large, shallow brackish lake known as Lake George or Lake Welaka. At Rocky Point on the lake's northern edge, the St. Johns River exits the body of water. Salt Cove, which draws its flow from Salt Creek, is located to the west of this. Lisk Point, named for Dr. Lisk who constructed a home nearby, is located just south of Salt Cove. Steamboats from Jacksonville that were traveling down the lake performed a counterclockwise circle around the lake, stopping at Lisk Point first.
The second-largest freshwater lake in Florida, Lake George, is distinguished from other streams in the area by its brackish water. Additionally, it makes Lake George the ideal location for catching fish like bass and crappie. A little-known fact: There are several circular pilings in the lake's middle that were formerly targeted for a bombing range. This area is ideal for reeling in crappie because a ship sank there. A tenth the size of Lake Okeechobee, Lake George has an area of around 46,000 acres. The Ocala National Forest officially includes the western shoreline.
Location: Volusia / Putnam counties, Florida
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One of the best lakes to visit in Florida is Lake Seminole which is Florida's third-largest lake, is actually a reservoir that the Army Corps of Engineers filled after building the Jim Woodruff Reservoir. This charming location is located in the state's northern region, close to the borders of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
Lake Seminole, which has a size of around 37,500 acres, was built by damming the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The objective is to produce hydroelectric electricity.
Lake Seminole is still utilized for both recreational and hydroelectric power today. It is a well-liked holiday spot for vacationers from the three nearby states, who come for the coveted fishing (multiple types of bass call this lake home, as do catfish, crappie, and bluegill). It's a fantastic location for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and Jet Skiing. Visitors can go hiking around Lake Seminole Park for breathtaking views of the neighboring shorelines, and they'll almost certainly run into some local species along the way.
Location: Georgia–Florida border, United States
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The fourth-largest lake in the U.S. state of Florida is called Lake Apopka. Although the western portion is in Lake County, it is situated 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Orlando, primarily inside Orange County's boundaries. Water from Lake Apopka runs through the Apopka-Beauclair Canal and into Lakes Beauclair and Dora, being fed by a natural spring, rainfall, and stormwater runoff. From Lake Dora, water goes into Lake Eustis, Lake Griffin, the Ocklawaha River, which empties into the St. Johns River, and finally Lake Griffin in the north.
A visit to this lake offers the possibility to see incredible animals and is a haven for photographers and environment enthusiasts alike. Travelers can take a leisurely drive around the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive to take in the scenery from the comfort of their cars. The journey around the lake's circumference, which is Florida's fourth-largest lake and offers countless photo opportunities, can take up to two hours.
Location: Orange / Lake counties, Florida, United States
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Crescent Lake is a tributary of the St. Johns River situated in the counties of Flagler and Putnam. Many people visit the lake each year in search of a piece of Crescent Lake serenity because of its reputation for having clear water and stunning scenery. It draws some of the best animals in the area and is teeming with fish.
On shore, there is a lot to keep guests busy. You're likely to find a pleasant activity to pass the time, from bicycling to horseback riding to hiking. The plus: Wherever you choose to spend your time, you may enjoy Crescent Lake's stunning views.
The lake is stocked with fish, but there is also a variety of fauna in the immediate vicinity. Visitors can anticipate up-close encounters with animals like bald eagles and alligators here. The Crescent Lake Conservation Area, where long boat rides and fishing are available, is located near the southern end of the lake.
Old cypress trees dot the shoreline, offering the local bald eagle ideal fixed perches. Even while the lake is stunning when viewed from the shore, nothing compares to how it feels to have it around you on all sides. You'll close your eyes and allow the sights, sounds, and sensations of nature to envelop your senses as a cool wind caresses your hair, a powder blue sky towers above you, and a golden sun warms your skin.
Location: Flagler / Putnam counties, Florida
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Lake Harris is a body of water located in Lake County, Florida, about 50 kilometers northwest of Orlando. It is a component of the St. Johns River's sub-watershed, the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin. The Harris Chain of Lakes, sometimes known as the "Ocklawaha Chain of Lakes," consists of seven lakes.
With numerous deeper holes and ledges, Lake Harris has a far greater depth than the nearby Lake Okeechobee. Sandhills and cypress trees, which are a part of the Central Florida Ridge, surround the lake. The highest heights in central Florida are found in this area, where Sugarloaf Mountain rises 95 meters above sea level. It is quite hilly in comparison to the rest of Florida, which is quite flat.
Harris Lake, like many of the lakes around here, is a well-liked fishing spot that draws visitors from all over the state. There is usually a wonderful walk on these waters, with a landscape ringed by lovely cypress trees. In addition to skiing, tourists can enjoy swimming in the area's warm waters.
Location: Lake County, Florida
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Florida's Highlands County is home to the 108.306 km2 freshwater lake known as Lake Istokpoga. Arbuckle Creek and Josephine Creek are two of the creeks that feed it. The lake's dimensions are roughly 8.0 km broad by 16 km long. It is ranked as Florida's fifth-largest lake by volume. Despite its size, it has a modest average depth of 1.2 meters. A 3.0 m depth limit applies. Boaters must therefore use caution to avoid getting stuck in the mud close to the shore. The most popular watercraft are bass and pontoon boats, while airboats are also used occasionally. Due to its shallowness, this lake presents a serious risk to boaters during windstorms because the waves can reach quite a height.
The Seminole phrase "our people died there" gave Lake Istokpoga its name. The surroundings of this lake are undeniably attractive despite its somber name. The freshwater lake, which is another heaven for anglers, is teeming with species including Istokpoga, largemouth bass, sunfish, and bluegill. In the meanwhile, guests can camp in a serene and picture-perfect natural setting in the center of Highlands County or rent cabins on the lake's edge.
Location: Highlands County, Florida
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North Florida's Leon and Gadsden counties border the Ochlockonee River, where Lake Talquin is a reservoir. The lake, which is about 10 miles (15 km) west of Tallahassee, is flanked on the east and west by State Roads 20 and 267, and it is south of Interstate 10.
When all the nooks and crannies of the numerous inlets are taken into account, the lake's shoreline extends for more than 40 kilometers. Since the majority of this beach is on public land, it is underdeveloped. The lake is surrounded by sloping hills and wide ravines.
This reservoir lake has clear waters that are mostly used to generate hydroelectric power. It is bordered by lovely forests, undulating hills, and fish-filled waters that are ideal for all types of anglers. Visitors can take pleasure in a nice boardwalk area with breathtaking views of the water, the surrounding landscape, the vast Florida sky, and lovely picnic and camping areas at the South Shore and Lake Talquin State Park.
Location: Gadsden / Leon counties, Florida
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West of the city of Eustis in Central Florida is where you'll find Lake Eustis. It has a surface area of about 28 km2. It is a spring-fed lake that is a part of the Harris Chain of Lakes, and the Dead River connects it to Lake Harris. Additionally, it has connections to the Ocklawaha River, Haines Creek, and Lake Griffin as well as the St. Johns River. North of Jacksonville, the St. Johns River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The eastern banks of Lake Eustis are connected to the Eustis Lake Walk, which offers sunset views, 20 boat berths, and 4 gazebos next to the lake's shoreline.
Along with other rivers, Lake Eustis joins the St. Johns River. The closest cities with vacation accommodations, fantastic restaurants, stores, and equipment rentals are Eustis (on the lake's northeastern side) and Tavares (to the south). The renowned Lake Eustis pupfish are a protected species, but anglers come here for the bass. Boating, swimming, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and windsurfing are additional popular activities. Lake Eustis is one of the best lakes to visit in Florida.
Location: Lake County, Florida