Lake Apopka Fishing
Orange County, FWC Northeast region.
- 3ramps
Photo, nearby stand in for Lake Apopka: LittleT889, CC BY 4.0
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About fishing on Lake Apopka
Lake Apopka is a Orange County and Lake County water in FWC’s Northeast region. Lake Apopka has no FWC acreage; mapping shows about 30,990 acres of water. The closest town is Montverde, about 4 miles from the middle of the lake. Lake Apopka is part of the Harris Chain of Lakes.
Expect Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, sunshine bass and channel catfish in Lake Apopka, per FWC. Lake Apopka has 3 public ramps in the FWC inventory; 3 charge no fee. Stocking reports show 103 fish released into Lake Apopka.
The biologists on Lake Apopka
FWC on structure in Lake Apopka
“The Harris Chain of Lakes in Lake and Orange Counties is comprised of 8 primary lakes (Apopka, Harris, Griffin*, Eustis, Dora, Beauclair, Carlton, and Yale) totaling about 75,000 acres.”
Quoted from the FWC site page: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
Boat ramps on Lake Apopka
- Lake Apopka West Shore Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 3 trailer spaces
- Lakeview Park Public Boat Ramp – Winter Garden1 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Magnolia Park Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, free, 13 trailer spaces, flush toilet
Source: FWC Boat Ramp Inventory, October 2026.
Fish of Lake Apopka
What you can keep from Lake Apopka
FWC has no lake-specific rule for Lake Apopka; the statewide limits below apply.
| Species | Statewide daily bag | Length rule |
|---|---|---|
| Florida bass | 5 | only one 16 in or longer |
| Black crappie | 25 | none statewide |
| Bluegill and other panfish | 50 combined | none statewide |
FWC freshwater regulations, 2026-27 season, checked October 2026. All Florida limits and license prices.
Hatchery releases at Lake Apopka
| Site | Fiscal year | Species | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Apopka | 2021-22 | 103 2021 YC Triploid Grass Carp | 103 |
FWC Completed Stockings reports, fiscal years 2021-22 to 2023-24. Florida stocking by county.
Sizing up Lake Apopka against nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres (FWC) | Public ramps | TrophyCatch bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Apopka | 3 | |||
| Starke Lake | 6 miles southeast | 1 | ||
| Johns Lake | 6 miles south | 3 | ||
| Lake Minneola | 10 miles west | 1,888 | 1 | |
| Lake Carlton | 10 miles north | 0 | ||
| Lake Winona | 11 miles southwest | 25 | 0 |
In the area of Lake Apopka
Other lakes close to Lake Apopka
- Starke Lake6 miles southeast
- Johns Lake6 miles south
- Lake Minneola10 miles west
- Lake Carlton10 miles north
- Lake Winona11 miles southwest
Bait stops around Lake Apopka
- Ray's Live Bait & Tacklebait and tackle, Winter Garden, 4 miles
- Toole's Ace Hardware of Winter Gardenbait and tackle, Winter Garden, 5 miles
- Boat Outfittersbait and tackle, Ocoee, 5 miles
- Get Hooked Bait and Tacklebait and tackle, Ocoee, 6 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Clermontsporting goods store, Clermont, 6 miles
- Herman Adam C & Marinamarina, Ocoee, 6 miles
Lake guides near Lake Apopka
- Ifish Orlando Inc.freshwater guide, Alafaya, (407) 943-7454
- GATORS BIG BASS GUIDE SERVICEfreshwater guide, Orlando, (407) 856-7961
- Bass Challenger Guide Svc Incfreshwater guide, Orlando, (407) 273-8045
- Spectacular View Fishing Chartersfreshwater guide, Alafaya, (407) 489-3399
- iOutdoor Fishing Adventuresfreshwater guide, Orlando, (407) 392-4593
- Orlando Fishing Chartersfreshwater guide, Orlando, (407) 476-7926
Places to stay near Lake Apopka
- Apopka8 miles
- Clermont9 miles
- Pine Hills9 miles
Counties around Lake Apopka
- Orange Countyseat: Orlando
- Lake Countyseat: Tavares
Before you fish Lake Apopka
How do I find Lake Apopka?
In Orange County and Lake County, about 4 miles from Montverde.
What size is Lake Apopka?
FWC does not publish an acreage for Lake Apopka.
Where can I launch on Lake Apopka?
FWC lists 3 ramps.
What fish are in Lake Apopka?
Mainly Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, sunshine bass and channel catfish, per FWC.
Does Lake Apopka have TrophyCatch bass?
No TrophyCatch counts are posted for Lake Apopka.
Do statewide limits apply on Lake Apopka?
Statewide limits apply; FWC lists no special rule for Lake Apopka.
Is a license required on Lake Apopka?
A freshwater license is required at 16 and up; it is $17 a year for residents.
Does FWC stock Lake Apopka?
FWC stocked 103 fish in the years on file.
Where can I check the water level on Lake Apopka?
Lake Apopka has no public real-time gauge.
Fish Lake Apopka this season
Check the limits and buy a license before you launch.