Orange Lake
Alachua County
NOTE: THE HEAGY BURRY BOAT RAMP AND ORANGE LAKE PUBLIC FISHING PIER HAVE BEEN CLOSED BY MARION COUNTY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FOR REPAIRS AND UPGRADES.
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.
FWC and other management authorities have regular meetings to seek stakeholder input on future lake habitat management strategies. 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
THE HEAGY BURRY BOAT RAMP AND ORANGE LAKE PUBLIC FISHING PIER HAVE BEEN CLOSED BY MARION COUNTY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FOR REPAIRS AND UPGRADES.
Orange Lake is offering up some outstanding fishing. Florida bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish have provided some great fishing days over the summer, but it’s about time to go get some black vrappie (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 (shellcracker) 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. If you catch a bass over 8 lbs., take a photo showing the entire fish on a scale with the weight clearly visible, release the fish, and submit it to the TrophyCatch program for a chance to win prizes! Over 110 bass over 8lbs have been reported since fall 2024! Orange Lake has had the most bass over 13lbs reported in the state. Single-day tournaments have had multiple bag weights over 30lbs and numerous bags over 20lbs. Tournaments are also beginning to produce winning bags over 40lbs! Try targeting bass in thick hydrilla and around pads with soft plastics and topwater baits. Flukes have also produced some giants.
Anglers should be aware that the Orange Lake, Florida bass regulations changed in April 2024 as part of the Florida Trophy Bass Project, and currently, no bass greater than 20” in length may be possessed. (CLICK HERE for details and check the bass regulation signs at the ramp.) For information on best handling practices to help ensure large bass survive after release, the TrophyCare page.
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:
Florida/Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Black crappie
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): 235
Trophy Club (10 – 12.9 pounds): 159
Hall of Fame (13+ pounds): 20