Lake · McIntosh, Alachua, Florida
Orange Lake
Current Lake Rating
Point-in-time lake rating — separate from the trip recommendation below.
Fair
This condition rating is estimated because current on-water monitoring is not available.
Estimated Conditions
Estimated from available current readings, weather, seasonal patterns, destination characteristics, and historical conditions. Some important on-water measurements may be unavailable.
Rating confidence: Low
Should I Go?
Consider
Fishing guidance for this destination based on available lake conditions, weather, and seasonal context. It is not a boating, swimming, ice, or access-safety rating.
Recommendation confidence: Low
Why
- Current water-level and water-temperature observations are not available.
- StrikeTracks is showing a provisional Estimated Conditions rating from accepted secondary evidence.
Current Readings
Live monitoring not available.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
77°F
Feels like
86°F
Wind
5 mph S
Wind gust
13 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
1.18 in
Last 48 hours
1.19 in
Heavy recent rainfall may change lake level or access quickly. Use additional caution.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Overcast
Temp 77°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 77°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 12 PM
Clear
Temp 86°F
Chance 12%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 82°F
Chance 26%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 8 PM
Overcast
Temp 81°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 78°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Showers
High 86°F / Low 76°F
Chance 31%
Precip 0.78 in
Max gust 25 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 88°F / Low 77°F
Chance 64%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Thunderstorms
High 91°F / Low 74°F
Chance 86%
Precip 0.47 in
Max gust 18 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Thunderstorms
High 96°F / Low 73°F
Chance 75%
Precip 0.08 in
Max gust 18 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this lake's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence lake level and access, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, and reservoir operations where applicable.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Orange Lake.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Orange Lake is a North Central Florida bass lake. It remains a separate destination from Lochloosa Lake.
Target species
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
FWC top-spot / TrophyCatch bass fishery.
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Common Florida lake panfish; confirm current FWC outlook.
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Standard Florida panfish companion to largemouth bass.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Present in typical Florida inland lake fisheries.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
Natural inland lake connected to Lochloosa Lake via Cross Creek. Distinct catalog identity.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public access exists in the McIntosh / Orange Lake area. Confirm current Alachua County / FWC postings.
Stocking information
FWC manages the fishery. Confirm current official outlooks.
Official sources
Florida inland fishing regulations apply. Verify current FWC seasons and limits.
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
McIntosh, Alachua, Florida
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
Town
McIntosh
County
Alachua
Management Category
Warmwater natural lake
Regulation Scope
Orange Lake
Regulation Summary
Florida inland fishing regulations apply. Confirm current FWC seasons, limits, and any lake-specific notices.
Target Species
Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Shore Fishing
Available
Description
Alachua County natural inland lake and FWC North Central top-spot. Distinct from Lochloosa Lake; the two are hydrologically connected via Cross Creek and must not be merged. Ordinary inland Lake MODEL-2 Estimated L-D applies. Coordinates are a public lake reference point, not a verified launch pin.
