11 Most Magical Lakes In Florida
Florida is widely known for its hot sun, sandy beaches, and amusement parks, yet the "Sunshine State" is filled with more than initially meets the eye. From tiny bodies to large areas, there are some 30,000 lakes all across the State! Full of fish and great opportunities to swim and sail, Florida's lakes are a wonder to experience. This article looks at the 11 Prettiest Lakes in Florida.
Blue Cypress Lake
Located on Florida's Treasure Coast, Blue Cypress Lake is the largest in Indian River County. With an average depth of 8 feet and spanning an area of 6,500 acres, Blue Cypress Lake is indeed a beautiful place. Cypress trees line much of the perimeter of the Lake, with stunning drooping branches over the clear, blue water creating a stunning vista. Home to a multitude of fish (including the largemouth bass), Blue Cypress is a popular spot for fishers, rivaled only by its beautiful marsh and swamp areas. Whether traveling by motorboat or paddleboat, a trip on Blue Cypress Lake is a magical experience, where the occasional alligator might also be spotted!
Lake Okeechobee
The largest freshwater lake in Florida and affectionately known as the "Big O," Lake Okeechobee covers an area of 450,000 acres, despite having a depth of only 9 feet; linking to the Okeechobee Waterway, the Lake eventually joins the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean and is among Florida's most sought after fishing spots. Here fishers can find a variety of species that include catfish, speckled perch, and largemouth bass. But even if reeling in a tasty haul is not for everyone, opportunities to go sailing on the water and camping on the Lake shore make Okeechobee a great slice of quiet, beautiful life.
Lake Dora
Just a 40-minute drive north of Orlando, Lake Dora is a part of the Harris Chain of Lakes, covering an area of 4,500 acres. Popular with fishers, tourists, and retirees, the Lake is near the towns of Mount Dora and Tavares, where visitors can find an assortment of shops, restaurants, and charming hospitality. From fishing to sailing, tourists on Lake Dora can enjoy other activities like kayaking, windsurfing, and even jet skiing! The Dora Canal, a popular spot for birdwatching, is always an attraction, with great views of Florida wetlands and local wildlife.
Lake George
Lake George is Florida's second largest freshwater lake and is one of the best places to go fishing for bass and crappie. Approximately one-tenth the size of Lake Okeechobee, Lake George runs 19 kilometers long with an average depth of 8 feet. Part of the Ocala National Forest, the Lake is also the site of multiple natural springs, which bring salinity to the water. Visitors can enjoy sailing on the waters, fishing, and perhaps a sight or two of blue crabs and Atlantic Stingrays.
Lake Seminole
A reservoir lake in the Florida panhandle, Lake Seminole is the third largest in the State. Filled by the Army Corps of Engineers and near the border with Alabama and Georgia, Lake Seminole forms part of the Jim Woodruff Reservoir and was completed in 1957. Covering an area of nearly 38,000 acres, this Lake is used for both hydroelectric power generation and recreation. A popular destination for fishing, swimming, and waterskiing, Lake Seminole fulfills multiple functions. For great views of the surrounding shores, visitors can go hiking around Lake Seminole Park, where encounters with local wildlife are never far away.
Lake Apopka
Some 38 kilometers from Orlando, the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River are at Lake Apopka, which spans 30,000 acres. A haven for nature lovers and photographers alike, a stop at this Lake is a chance to see wonderful wildlife. Visitors can even enjoy the beauty from the comfort of their vehicles with a leisurely drive on Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. The fourth largest lake in Florida, a drive around the perimeter can take about two hours, with an endless supply of photo opportunities.
Crescent Lake
Spanning an area of nearly 16,000 acres, Crescent Lake runs for 21 kilometers and is a tributary of the St. Johns River. While the lake is filled with scores of fish, the surrounding area is also rich in wildlife. Here visitors can expect to see wildlife like alligators and bald eagles at close quarters. At the south end of the Lake is the Crescent Lake Conservation Area, where one can enjoy sailing and fishing for long hours.
Lake Harris
The largest of seven lakes in the Harris Chain of Lakes, Lake Harris covers just under 14,000 acres and is about 48 kilometers from Lake Apopka. Like many of the lakes here, Lake Harris is a popular destination for fishers, and it attracts anglers from all across the State. With a landscape surrounded by beautiful cypress trees, a picturesque outing is always to be had when on these waters. Tourists can even enjoy swimming in its warm waters, while the very adventurous can even water ski!
Lake Istokpoga
Lake Istokpoga is Florida's sixth largest lake and derives its name from a Seminole phrase meaning "our people died there." Despite its somber namesake, the natural scenery around this 28,000-acre lake is undoubtedly beautiful. Another fisherman's paradise, the freshwater Lake Istokpoga, is full of such species as the largemouth bass, the sunfish, and the bluegill. Meanwhile, visitors can rent cabins on the lakeshore and enjoy camping in a serene and idyllic nature area right in the heart of Highlands County.
Lake Talquin
In the Florida panhandle and near the border with Georgia, Lake Talquin is just 30 kilometers from the capital city of Tallahassee. With pristine waters, this reservoir lake used primarily to produce hydroelectric power is surrounded by beautiful forests, rolling hills, and waters full of fish, perfect for all the fishers out there. Visitors who visit the south shore and Lake Talquin State Park can also enjoy a charming boardwalk area with stunning views of the water, nature, the vast Florida sky, and beautiful picnic and camping spots.
Lake Eustis
Immediately west of the city of Eustis, the 7,000-acre Lake Eustis is a part of the Harris Chain of Lakes, fed by natural springs. Popular amongst tourists for the variety of activities available, visitors can expect to enjoy swimming, sailing, windsurfing, and, of course, fishing on the Lake. It is also home to a protected species of pupfish. Time spent on Lake Eustis is surely a relaxing and charming vacation, where one can enjoy Florida's quaint beauty without the hustle and bustle of big city life.
With some 30,000 lakes dotting the Florida landscape, it is indeed difficult to know where to start one's journey. Although Florida's hot beaches, parks, and big city attractions still attract most visitors, a jaunt to any of these beautiful lakes reveals another side of the State. From fishing galore to stunning swamp views to opportunities to sail and swim, these lakes are places to explore and get a deeper appreciation of the "Sunshine State."
