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: Closures of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and Heagy-Burry boat ramps to conduct boat ramp/infrastructure improvements are likely to occur this summer.
Orange Lake should continue to provide some of the best fishing that Florida has to offer this summer and early fall. Water levels have been dropping since April, so help from summer rainfall will be welcomed as the days get hotter. Pads have continued to spread throughout the lake, and they are looking especially good around Grassy Point and the southern part of the lake and that’s great news for all anglers! Submersed vegetation has really taken off in recent years and can be found along the shoreline around the entire lake. Hydrilla is thick throughout McIntosh Bay (in the SW part of the lake) and caution is advised in this area for anglers with smaller boat motors. Try fishing for panfish up near the pads, on the edge of thick submersed vegetation, or along the shoreline and use a grass shrimp or cricket under a cork. Orange Lake is known for providing some of the best bass fishing in the country! Top water plugs, frogs, and soft plastics have been the baits of choice for most bass anglers. There have already been over 40 bass over 8 pounds approved by FWCs TrophyCatch Program in Season 12, which began October 1, 2023. Recent bass tournaments are reporting numerous 5-fish bag weights over 30 lbs! Anglers should be aware that the Orange Lake bass regulations changed in April 2024 as part of the Florida Trophy Bass Project (check the bass regulation signs at the ramp). For information on best handling practices to help ensure large bass survive after release, CLICK HERE.
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): 129
Trophy Club (10 – 12.9 pounds): 96
Hall of Fame (13+ pounds): 14