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Lake Okeechobee, Florida, USA

With over 451,000 blue, watery acres, Lake Okeechobee is a lake with many titles. It is, by surface acreage, the largest lake in Florida. It also holds the distinction of being the fourth-largest lake wholly contained within the USA. (Lake Michigan, Alaska’s Lake Iliamna, and Great Salt Lake are larger.) Nicknamed Florida’s Inland Sea, Lake O, and The Big Lake, Lake Okeechobee also surprises by having an…
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    • All About Lake Okeechobee, FL

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Florida - South Florida -

    With over 451,000 blue, watery acres, Lake Okeechobee is a lake with many titles. It is, by surface acreage, the largest lake in Florida. It also holds the distinction of being the fourth-largest lake wholly contained within the USA. (Lake Michigan, Alaska’s Lake Iliamna, and Great Salt Lake are larger.)

    Nicknamed Florida’s Inland Sea, Lake O, and The Big Lake, Lake Okeechobee also surprises by having an average depth of just 9 feet. Lake Okeechobee’s name is derived from the Hitchiti words for water (oki) and big (chubi), so the lake’s original name was simply “Big Water.”

    Lake Okeechobee is part of the 154-mile Okeechobee Waterway that extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. The waterway follows the Caloosahatchee River from Fort Myers to Lake Okeechobee, then continues east to Stuart along the St. Lucie Canal. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates five navigation locks and dams along the Waterway:

    *St. Lucie Lock and Dam at Stuart
    *Port Mayaca Lock and Dam near Canal Point
    *Moore Haven Lock and Dam at Moore Haven
    *Ortona Lock and Dam near LaBelle
    *W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam near Fort Myers

    The Okeechobee Waterway serves many uses, including navigation, year-round recreational facilities, drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and flood control. The Waterway is part of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project.

    Lake Okeechobee is a natural lake, believed to have formed about 6000 years ago from the receding ocean. Due to catastrophic storm surges from seasonal hurricanes in the 1920’s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed levees along the north and south shores of the lake from 1932 to 1938. A major hurricane in 1947 prompted additional flood control efforts. The resulting Herbert Hoover Dike was completed by the Corps in the late 1960’s.

    Fishing is very good at Lake Okeechobee, especially when you factor in the surrounding canals and rivers. Best known for its catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, and speckled perch, anglers flock to the lake with visions of monster catches dancing in their heads. Several major fishing tournaments are held throughout the year, but you can look forward to year-round angling enjoyment. Rent a boat and go out on your own, or hire a guide to take you around; it’s your choice. But bring your gear and your angling dreams, and prepare to make them all come true.

    Clewiston, Florida, located on the lake’s southern shore is known as “America’s Sweetest Town.” Clewiston is the most popular destination for area visitors because of its ideal location near fishing locales and tourist attractions. The Sugarland Express tour takes you through a local farm and mill, letting you gnaw some sugarcane and learn some local history. Afterwards, take a three-hour boat cruise to learn about Lake Okeechobee’s natural history. In the spring, Clewiston hosts the annual Sugar Festival and throws a grand party with a traditional southern feast. Of course, you’ll be treated to a good dose of southern hospitality all year round.

    From Clewiston, you can head on over to the incredible 110-mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, a hiking trail with the uncomfortable acronym LOST. As you climb upwards, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the lake below, rare glimpses of area wildlife, and a front row seat to beautiful and diverse Florida flora.

    Water activities abound, and you’ll love wiling away the hours speeding over the waves on your jet ski or powerboat, or simply cruising along enjoying the breeze and sun. Lake Okeechobee is large and filled with natural beauty, so pack your bags and plan your trip as soon as possible.

    Things to Do at Lake Okeechobee

    These are some activities in the Lake Okeechobee, FL area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Tournaments
    • Boating
    • Jet Skiing
    • Hiking
    • Wildlife Viewing

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Okeechobee?

    Lake Okeechobee has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Perch
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Okeechobee

    If you’re considering a Lake Okeechobee 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 Lake Okeechobee Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Okeechobee 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:

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    Lake Okeechobee Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Not Known

    Water Level Control: South Florida Water Management District

    Surface Area: 451,000 acres

    Shoreline Length: 135 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 14 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 9 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 19 feet

    Average Depth: 9 feet

    Maximum Depth: 12 feet

    Water Volume: 1,100,000 acre-feet

    Water Residence Time: 3.5 years

    Drainage Area: 4,785 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

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    Lake Water Level
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