Bream Lake, Florida, USA
Bream Lake is a 164-acre private lake in Putnam County near the border of Alachua County. The natural spring-fed lake has a sandy bottom and clean water. Named for the abundant bream panfish that occupy its waters, the lake is surrounded by private residences and lots. Although the lake is relatively unknown, locals know it as a fantastic lake for bass, crappie, and catfish. Anglers can fish…
Keep scrolling to read more.
Welcome to the ultimate guide to Bream Lake! Article topics include:
- All About Bream Lake
- Where to Stay
- Vacation Planning Tools
- Things to Do
- Known Fish Species
- Bream Lake Map
- Statistics / Weather / Helpful Links
- Bream Lake Gifts
Looking for Bream Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.
Bream Lake is a 164-acre private lake in Putnam County near the border of Alachua County. The natural spring-fed lake has a sandy bottom and clean water. Named for the abundant bream panfish that occupy its waters, the lake is surrounded by private residences and lots. Although the lake is relatively unknown, locals know it as a fantastic lake for bass, crappie, and catfish. Anglers can fish for bass and crappie year round, and the bream fishing is best in the late spring through late summer. Residents and their visitors enjoy motor boating, canoeing and kayaking, and bird watching. Bream Lake does not provide public access. The closest public boat ramp is about two miles away on Holden Pond at Holden Pond Park, which connects to adjoining Little Orange Lake.
The Cross Florida region is spattered with lakes. Bream Lake is a few miles from Hawthorne, which has over 400 bodies of water within ten miles of the town. Hawthorne itself boasts shops, restaurants, and various accommodations. Visitors to Hawthorne can stroll under the majestic live oaks and past Spanish moss-draped cypress. Lakefront real estate for sale is available around many of the area’s plentiful lakes.
Lochloosa Lake and Orange Lake are an easy drive from Bream Lake. Together they offer boaters and anglers almost 20,000 acres of water. Orange Lake and Lochloosa Lake are connected by Cross Creek. Made famous by American novelist Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Cross Creek is the home of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historical State Park. Both the Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area and the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park are a short drive from the lake and provide visitors to Bream Lake with a chance to see wildlife and birds. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park encompasses over 21,000 acres and is home to bison, alligators, wild horses, and over 270 species of birds. Trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding provide access to the park, and overnight camping are also available.
Secluded Bream Lake is full of fish, and its quiet waters make it the perfect place to relax. It’s close enough to Hawthorne, Gainesville and the larger lakes of Alachua County to provide easy access to all north central Florida has to offer. Come and see for yourself what Bream Lake feels like.
Things to Do at Bream Lake
These are some activities in the Bream Lake, FL area visitors can enjoy:
- Vacation Rentals
- Fishing
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Birding
- State Park
What Kind of Fish Are in Bream Lake?
Bream Lake has been known to have the following fish species:
- Bass
- Catfish
- Crappie

Find Places to Stay at Bream Lake
If you’re considering a Bream Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.
Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.
More Sites to Book a Bream Lake Vacation
Our interactive Bream Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:
Bream Lake Statistics & Helpful Links
Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed
Surface Area: 164 acres
Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 89 feet
We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.
Shop Bream Lake Gifts
- Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
- The Bream Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
- New Bream Lake photos coming soon!
- You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
- Share this Bream Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: