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
One thing Orange Lake is known for is monster Florida Bass and there are lots of trophy fish waiting to test out your gear. There have already been 19 bass over 8 pounds approved by FWC's TrophyCatch Program in Season 13, which began October 1, 2024. Topwater plugs, frogs, and soft plastics are the bait of choice for many bass anglers fishing Orange Lake. FWC spring electrofishing samples have revealed strong year-classes of Florida Bass each year since 2020. These fish are 3-4 pounds and are producing a lot of fun, high number fishing days. Catches of over 20 bass a day and winning tournament weights of over 30 pounds have been reported this year. Anglers should be aware that the Orange Lake Florida Bass regulations changed in April 2024 as part of the Florida Trophy Bass Project (click the link for details and check the bass regulation signs at the ramp). The new regulation prohibits anglers for possessing any bas greater than 20 inches. The Black Crappie bite on Orange has been alright this year, but most anglers prefer nearby Lochloosa or Newnans lakes to get their limits. There are lots of big panfish waiting to get on a hook this summer and catches the past few years have been excellent. As the water gets warm, try moving in shore near vegetation, especially in the pads, where panfish will be gathering up to spawn. They should devour a grass shrimp or a cricket under a cork. 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! Hydrilla coverage had expanded to almost 60% of the lake in the fall, but has dropped back over the winter. Boats with small motors should have no trouble for now, though hydrilla will return with warmer temperatures. Although it has made access tougher, hydrilla is providing great habitat for fish throughout the lake. Orange Lake water levels have been good this year. There is plenty of water to launch and access one of the best fisheries Florida has to offer.
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): 189
Trophy Club (10 – 12.9 pounds): 119
Hall of Fame (13+ pounds): 18