Orange Lake Fishing
Alachua County, FWC North Central region, 12,700 acres.
- 4ramps
- 456TrophyCatch bass
- 12,700acres
Photo: LittleT889, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fishing on Orange Lake
Orange Lake sits in Alachua County, in the FWC North Central region. FWC gives its size as 12,700 acres. The closest town is McIntosh, about 3 miles from the middle of the lake. FWC runs Orange Lake as a fish management area (open to fishing).
Anglers have documented 456 Florida bass from Orange Lake with TrophyCatch, each 8 pounds or more and released. FWC lists Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie as the main species in Orange Lake. The FWC ramp inventory has 4 public ramps on Orange Lake, 2 of them free.
FWC field notes for Orange Lake
Where and how on Orange Lake
“FWC and other management authorities have regular meetings to seek stakeholder input on future lake habitat management strategies.”
“Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park/Kate Barnes Boat Ramp: 18700 County Road 325, Cross Creek, FL 32640”
“Orange Lake receives inflow from Newnans Lake through River Styx and from Lochloosa Lake through Cross Creek.”
“Orange Lake Public Fishing Pier: 5005 Lake Ave, Citra, FL, 32113 (At Heagey-Burry Boat Ramp)”
“Orange lake has an extensive aquatic vegetation community, dominated by spatterdock (lily pads) and periodically hydrilla.”
“Outflow is controlled by a fixed-crest weir located at Highway 301 (southeast portion of lake).”
“Orange Lake averages 5.5 feet deep with a maximum depth of 12 feet.”
Quoted from the FWC site page: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
Seasonal forecast for Orange Lake
“Use grass shrimp, crickets, or worms near the bottom for bream.”
“While the lake is still plenty deep, all anglers should use caution due to shallow conditions, thick vegetation, and submerged hazards.”
“Check this news release for for details and check the bass regulation signs at the ramp.) For information on best handling practices to help ensure large bass survive after release, check the TrophyCare page.”
“Low water levels due to extreme drought are making it difficult to launch at Orange Lake.”
Quoted from the FWC fishing forecast: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
Where to launch on Orange Lake
- Heagy Burry – Orange Lake Boat Ramp Park1 lane ramp, free, 20 trailer spaces, portable toilet, temporarily closed
- Lakeshore Fish Camp (water no longer reaches ramp)1 lane ramp, fee, flush toilet
- Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings County Park2 lane ramp, free, 71 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Mike's Fish Camp1 lane ramp, fee, 6 trailer spaces
Source: FWC Boat Ramp Inventory, October 2026.
What lives in Orange Lake
TrophyCatch bass from Orange Lake
TrophyCatch counts as shown on the FWC page (Orange Lake). Only bass 8 pounds and up, released alive, are counted.
Limits on Orange Lake
Extra FWC rules for Lakes Lochloosa and Orange, Alachua County:
- Lakes Lochloosa (8,350 acres, includes Tadpole and Lochloosa creeks, Orange Lake proper, waters south and east of CR-346 and west of US Hwy 301 and Cross Creek) Fishing Forecast
- Open to fishing
- Black bass 20 inches in total length or longer must be released immediately
- Circle hooks required when fishing with natural bait greater than 3 inches in length
- No bag limit for channel catfish
- Trotlines having a gallon-sized plastic float at each end may be used, provided that such lines are sunk to the bottom or to a minimum depth of 4 feet
| 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.
FWC best-bet notes for Orange Lake
Black-Bass, 2026 list
Bass size and numbers, bream numbers
“Note: Due to drought conditions, Orange Lake levels are low and access may be limited. It is suggested to check with local contacts prior to making a trip to the lake.”
Bream, 2026 list
Bass size and numbers, bream numbers
“Note: Due to drought conditions, Orange Lake levels are low and access may be limited. It is suggested to check with local contacts prior to making a trip to the lake.”
From FWC’s yearly top freshwater fishing spots lists.
Tournaments on Orange Lake
Bass tournament dates and results for Orange Lake are on its tournament page.
How Orange Lake compares with nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres (FWC) | Public ramps | TrophyCatch bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Lake | 12,700 | 4 | 456 | |
| Lochloosa Lake | 5 miles northeast | 5,700 | 3 | 57 |
| Newnans Lake | 13 miles north | 5,800 | 3 | 12 |
| Rodman Reservoir | 15 miles east | 9,500 | 7 | 1,447 |
| Lake Santa Fe | 21 miles north | 5,850 | 3 | 45 |
| Lake Eaton | 23 miles southeast | 1 |
Around Orange Lake
Nearby lakes to Orange Lake
- Lochloosa Lake5 miles northeast
- Newnans Lake13 miles north
- Rodman Reservoir15 miles east
- Lake Santa Fe21 miles north
- Lake Eaton23 miles southeast
Shops that serve Orange Lake
- Hawthorne Baitbait and tackle, Hawthorne, 11 miles
- B Gee's Placebait and tackle, Fort Mc Coy, 12 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Gainesvillesporting goods store, Gainesville, 17 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Gainesvillesporting goods store, Gainesville, 17 miles
- Parks Placebait and tackle, Gainesville, 18 miles
Guides who fish Orange Lake
- Seadog Chartersfreshwater guide, Hawthorne, (352) 318-2990
Nearest towns to Orange Lake
- Gainesville18 miles
- Ocala20 miles
- Keystone Heights24 miles
County guides for Orange Lake
- Alachua Countyseat: Gainesville
Orange Lake questions and answers
Where is Orange Lake?
In Alachua County, about 3 miles from McIntosh.
What is the acreage of Orange Lake?
12,700 acres, per FWC.
How many ramps does Orange Lake have?
Yes, 4 ramps in the FWC inventory.
What species live in Orange Lake?
FWC lists Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie.
Are there trophy bass in Orange Lake?
456 bass from Orange Lake are logged with TrophyCatch.
Are there special fishing rules on Orange Lake?
Yes. Lakes Lochloosa (8,350 acres, includes Tadpole and Lochloosa creeks, Orange Lake proper, waters south and east of CR-346 and west of US Hwy 301 and Cross Creek) Fishing Forecast
Can I fish Orange Lake without a license?
Yes, a freshwater license unless exempt, and residents pay $17 a year.
What does FWC stock in Orange Lake?
FWC lists no stocking at Orange Lake for the last three fiscal years.
Is Orange Lake low right now?
There is no live gauge on Orange Lake; FWC forecasts note low water.