Orange Lake
Alachua County
NOTE: County closures of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and Heagy-Burry boat ramps are planned this fall to conduct boat ramp/infrastructure improvements.
Orange Lake is the largest lake in the North Central Region at 12,550 acres. It is designated as a Fish Management Area and is located about 20 miles southeast of Gainesville. Orange Lake averages 5.5 feet deep with a maximum depth of 12 feet. Water levels fluctuate an average of 2 feet, annually. Outflow is controlled by a fixed-crest weir located at Highway 301 (southeast portion of lake). Orange Lake receives inflow from Newnans Lake through River Styx and from Lochloosa Lake through Cross Creek. Cross Creek (1.8 miles) is navigable to most boats during normal water levels.
Orange lake has an extensive aquatic vegetation community, dominated by spatterdock (lily pads) and periodically hydrilla. Shallow marsh areas are inaccessible to anglers due to the dense growth of vegetation. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and largemouth bass are generally caught in the deeper spatterdock, emergent grasses and hydrilla.
Marion County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allocated funds to establish a fishing pier at Heagy-Burry Park (southwestern part of the lake). The pier is handicap-accessible. A fish attractor is located near the pier, which provides for good fishing.
For more information on FWC management activities at Orange Lake, visit the Orange Creek Basin Working Group webpage.
Shore and Pier Fishing Opportunities/Boat Ramp Locations:
Orange Lake Public Fishing Pier: 5005 Lake Ave, Citra, FL, 32113 (At Heagey-Burry Boat Ramp)
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park/Kate Barnes Boat Ramp: 18700 County Road 325, Cross Creek, FL 32640
For updated information please call:
South Shore Fish Camp 352-595-4241
Sportsman Cove Fish Camp 352-591-1435
NOTE: County closures of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and Heagy-Burry boat ramps may occur this fall to conduct boat ramp/infrastructure improvements.
Orange Lake is still offering up some outstanding fishing. Florida bass and panfish have provided some great fishing days over the summer, but it’s about time to get some Black Crappie (specks). As the cooler months arrive, crappie fishing should improve. Try drifting or trolling with minnows, grass shrimp, and jigs for crappie. Hydrilla is thick out there right now, mainly in the southern half of the lake, so you may also want to try anchoring up near a thick patch and try catching some Bluegill or Redear Sunfish (bream) and crappie. Use grass shrimp, crickets, or worms near the bottom for panfish. Orange Lake supports a premier bass fishery and while the spring and early summer months are usually the best time to go, there is no bad time of the year to fish for bass in this lake. Orange Lake had the most trophy bass reported in the state this past year, and the most bass over 13lbs reported in the state over the past 5 years. Tournaments have had multiple bag weights over 30lbs and numerous bags over 20lbs. Try targeting bass in thick hydrilla and around pads with soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and topwater baits.
For more information on FWC management activities at Orange Lake, visit the Orange Creek Basin Working Group webpage.
Popular Species
Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.
More species information is available for:
TrophyCatch Tracker
TrophyCatch is FWC's citizen-science program that rewards anglers for documenting and releasing trophy bass 8 pounds or larger. The following TrophyCatch bass have been submitted from Orange Lake:
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 160
Trophy Club (10 – 12.9 pounds): 110
Hall of Fame (13+ pounds): 14