Orange Lake
Orange Lake is a 12,550-acre FWC Fish Management Area, the largest lake in the North Central Region, with an average depth of 5.5 feet and a premier Florida bass fishery.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Premier fishery
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Redear Sunfish
Shellcracker. Beds in spring and deep shell bars in summer. Red worms on the bottom.
Crappie
Black crappie
Boat launches
3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Heagy-Burry Ramp / Orange Lake Public Fishing PierRamp5005 Lake Ave, Citra. Rebuilt with new parking, ADA fishing pier and restrooms; the only public launch usable at last FWC update.Directions ↗
- Kate Barnes Boat Ramp (Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park)Ramp18700 CR 325, Cross Creek. Too shallow to launch at low water at last FWC update.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Orange Lake 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 Orange Lake ↗Local tips
- Since April 2024 no bass over 20 in may be possessed.
- Fish thick hydrilla and pads with soft plastics, topwaters and bladed jigs; the buoy trail in McIntosh Bay is recommended.
- Low water: watch for shallow spots, thick vegetation and submerged hazards.
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.