Biggest lakes in Florida: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Lake Okeechobee

At some 467,000 acres, Lake Okeechobee is a huge piece of water. Expect largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The deepest water is around 12 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has a sheltered cove and an upper arm: good places to start.

Lake Okeechobee today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake George

Lake George covers 46,000 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of Palm Coast (about 27 miles). It holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and striped bass. At about 8 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows two point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Lake George is Florida's second-largest lake (after Okeechobee) and forms a wide natural basin of the St. Johns River.

Lake George today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Kissimmee

Lake Kissimmee spreads over 34,900 acres of water. It holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. It goes down to about 12 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Kissimmee today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Apopka

Lake Apopka covers some 30,800 acres. You will find it about 7 miles southeast of Pine Hills. It holds largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. Lake Apopka is Florida's fourth-largest lake and has been the subject of a long-running water-quality restoration program after decades of agricultural pollution.

Lake Apopka today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Istokpoga

Lake Istokpoga is a natural lake of 26,800 acres. It lies about 49 miles north of Poinciana. It holds largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. The deepest water is around 10 ft. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. Lake Istokpoga is one of Florida's largest lakes but is unusually shallow, which can make it rough in windy conditions.

Lake Istokpoga today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake Tohopekaliga

Lake Tohopekaliga spreads over 18,800 acres. It holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The deepest water is around 15 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

Lake Tohopekaliga today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Crescent Lake

At 16,000 acres, Crescent Lake is a big lake. It lies next to Crescent City. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start. Crescent Lake, formerly called Dunns Lake, connects to the St. Johns River by way of Dunns Creek.

Crescent Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Lake Harris

Lake Harris spreads over 13,800 acres of water. You will find it within an easy drive of The Villages (about 10 miles). It holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Its bed shows three steep ledges and an upper arm worth a first look. Lake Harris is the largest lake entirely within Lake County and is part of the Harris Chain of Lakes.

Lake Harris today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. East Lake Tohopekaliga

At 12,000 acres of water, East Lake Tohopekaliga is a big lake. It lies next to Saint Cloud. It holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. It goes down to about 18 ft. The lake bed gives you two point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. East Lake Tohopekaliga is part of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and is well known among anglers for trophy-class largemouth bass.

East Lake Tohopekaliga today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake Jesup

Lake Jesup is a natural lake of some 10,700 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Sanford (about 5 miles). The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The deepest water is around 10 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Lake Jesup is the largest lake in Seminole County and is known for supporting one of Florida's densest alligator populations.

Lake Jesup today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

The bigger the lake, the more the wind matters. Plan the day around the forecast, start on the sheltered side and give yourself a way home if it builds.