Lake · McIntosh, Alachua, Florida
Orange Lake
Location Snapshot
Orange Lake is a north-central Florida lake near McIntosh with a productive warmwater fishery. Largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and channel catfish are the principal cataloged targets.
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.
- Available atmospheric evidence is favorable for provisional Estimated fishing suitability; the public rating is capped by the accepted Estimated evidence path and confidence policy.
Current Readings
Live monitoring not available.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
75°F
Feels like
75°F
Wind
9 mph NE
Wind gust
14 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 1:30 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 3 PM
Clear
Temp 76°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 11 mph
Tue 7 PM
Clear
Temp 69°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Tue 11 PM
Clear
Temp 63°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Wed 3 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 61°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Wed 7 AM
Clear
Temp 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Wed 11 AM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Partly cloudy
High 76°F / Low 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Partly cloudy
High 79°F / Low 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Clear
High 79°F / Low 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 25 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
Largemouth bass are primary and established in Orange Lake at McIntosh. Black crappie and bluegill are common and established. Channel catfish are present and established.
Target species
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Official sources
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