These 16 Gorgeous Lakes In Florida Are Demanding Your Attention

Lake Okeechobee in South Florida is the largest freshwater lake in Florida. It reaches five different counties and covers 730 square miles. The lake is popular for fishing and is surrounded by part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, popular with hikers and bicyclists.

Lake Tohopekaliga is the largest lake in Osceola County. It's very popular for bass fishing and birdwatching. Lakefront Park offers a miniature lighthouse, a playground, and walking paths to view the waterbirds, turtles, and alligators.

This 7,000-acre lake in Central Florida is in the Harris Chain of Lakes. Popular activities on Lake Eustis include fishing and sailing.

Lake Harris is the largest lake in Lake County, at nearly 14,000 acres.

Sanford, DeBary, and Deltona all sit along Lake Monroe, and this incredible photo was taken on its southwestern shore in Sanford.

There are several tours offered on this beautiful and serene lake in Mount Dora, but you can also just sit by the water and enjoy a spectacular sunset.

This breathtaking sunrise was captured at Blue Cypress Lake in Indian River County. The only fish camp on the lake is Middleton's, where visitors can camp in tents or cabins, grab some bait, rent canoes and kayaks, and buy snacks and drinks.

Also called Lake Welaka, this lake in Volusia and Putnam county is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and local springs bring in enough salt to allow for extraordinary species like Atlantic stingray and blue crabs. In fact, it has one of the only freshwater blue crab fisheries in the world.

This freshwater lake is located about 10 miles west of Tampa. Although this lovely lake is designated for recreational use, we can't recommend it, as the EPA feels it's currently over polluted.

Riverbend Park is the perfect place to enjoy this lake in Jupiter. You can try some fishing, have a picnic, or rent a couple of canoes and explore the lake.

You can find this lake off the Long Pine Key Trail in Everglades National Park, but it's also accessible by an unpaved road. It's a great photo opportunity, but as you can see, it's full of gators, so be careful.

Lake Apopka was once one of the most popular attractions in Central Florida. Unfortunately, farm water runoff and later an improper chemical disposal did great damage to the lake that the community has been trying to restore ever since.

This lake in Chipley offers gorgeous fall colors that can be hard to find in Florida.

This chain has some of the clearest water in Florida. It's a popular spot for schooling bass when the weather is on the cooler side.

Lake Parker is the largest and one of the most popular lakes in Lakeland, especially for boating and fishing. If fishing isn't your thing, there are parks and a partial path around the lake for a stroll.