Lake Apopka
Florida's fourth-largest lake, about 15 miles northwest of Orlando between Apopka and Winter Garden. Once a famous bass lake, it was badly polluted by farm runoff and is now recovering under a long-running restoration effort.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Fish vegetation edges and canals. Plastic worms, spinnerbaits and frogs; spring spawn is the peak.
Black Crappie
Cooler months. Live minnows or small jigs around cover and drop-offs.
Bluegill
Late spring and summer around shoreline plants. Crickets or worms.
Redear Sunfish
Bedding fish in spring and early summer. Worms fished on the bottom.
Boat launches
3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Magnolia ParkFreeOrange County park on the east shore. Free ramp, camping, Lake Apopka Loop Trail trailheadDirections ↗
- Lakeview Park Public Boat RampFreeCity of Winter Garden. Free single-lane ramp on the south shoreDirections ↗
- Lake Apopka West Shore Boat RampFreeSmall free ramp near Montverde (Lake County)Directions ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Apopka are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Lake Apopka ↗Local tips
- The lake is shallow and gets rough quickly when afternoon wind picks up, so fish early.
- Check Florida fish consumption advisories before keeping fish from this lake.
- Alligators are common; keep hands and stringers out of the water.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Florida lakes
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.