Little Lake George

About Little Lake George

Lake George is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States and the second largest lake in Florida. It covers 46,000 acres and is also home to George Washington National Park, the largest national park in the world.

Drayton Island is bordered to the north, south, east, west and west by Lake George, which serves as the only public access point to George Washington National Park and the main entrance to the park.

Although it covers a large area, Lake George is flat and lies between 3 and 12 feet deep, but the average depth is about 10 feet.

The shallowest water is in the upper part of the river, about 30 feet below the surface, and though it flows so slowly, it is affected by Atlantic saltwater hundreds of miles upstream. At its deepest point, at 2,000 feet, the river drops only 30 feet, earning it a reputation as one of the "laziest rivers in the world."

As a result, Lake George's waters are variably brackish, supporting both freshwater fish and marine life. Although known for its population of white perch, anglers are also rewarded with striped perch and a variety of other fish species such as bluefish, bluefish and blackbird. In addition to its fresh water, it borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, where there is little salt water.

Lake George's salinity is high enough to sustain a large blue crab fishery that supports the local economy. In times of low rainfall, it is mainly rays and occasionally sharks that find their way to Lake George.

The Ocala National Forest covers 383,000 hectares and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the state of Florida with more than 1.5 million visitors per year.

The Ocala National Forest Recreation Areas offer a variety of hiking, camping, fishing and recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities. Three springs in the state forest feed the lake with waterfalls, running water, freshwater lakes and streams. The Salt Springs Observation Trail is a viewing platform where you can see herons and their ospreys, eagles and alligators. Hikers can choose from a wide range of trails, from the Salt Spring Trail to Lake George Trail to Silver Springs Trail.

Canoe rentals are available at Lake George, where you can paddle or kayak through palm trees, cypresses and southern hardwood.

The Pinecastle Impact Range for the US Navy is located in the Ocala National Forest. The Navy uses 5,760 hectares of forest as a target for exercises, with a total of 2,500 hectares available for the Navy.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission operates three separate properties as a single unit. The eastern shore of Lake George borders Putnam and Volusia counties, and the western shore borders Ocala County.

Volusia County borders Ocala County to the north, while Putnam County to the south of the reserve borders Lake George County to the west. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's reserve has a total of 2.2 million square miles of land.

Most of this area is located on the southeast shore of the lake, which is bounded by the Florida State Forest, Lake George National Wildlife Refuge and State Park, all managed by Florida's Department of Forestry. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is responsible for hunting and fishing in the state. WMA offers two boat ramps and focuses on fishing, hunting, boating and other recreational activities for adults and children, as well as wildlife.

It is also part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and the mixed forest with deciduous trees offers a rich wildlife experience, including white-tailed deer. Lake George State Forest is home to more than 1,000 bird species, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds of prey and reptiles.

The early Florida Indians who inhabited the area created a large mound of freshwater mussels that researchers later discovered in the 18th and 19th centuries. The earth of the hill offers a good view of Lake George State Forest and the Great Florida Birding Trail. Although much of the shell was excavated for road construction, visitors can still see the remains on the hill.

The Lake George Restoration Group started out as a group of landowners worried about the water quality on the lake. Today, the group helps restore the coastline and manage water pollution and environmental protection on the island.

This huge natural resource will provide endless hours of fun on and off the water, so pack your bags for the Sunshine State. GPS setting to Lake George and drive to the Florida Keys for a day trip to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.