About 12 miles long, six miles wide, and stretching over about 46,000 acres, Lake George is the biggest lake on the St. Johns River and one of the largest in Florida. Although large, the lake is shallow, ranging between three and 12 feet. The lake is fed by St. Johns River on its way to the Atlantic, and the slow flow of the river brings some of the ocean’s salty water into the lake. Brackish water supports a large variety of plants and both saltwater and freshwater fish. The lake is surrounded by fish camps and is very popular among fishermen who are mostly attracted by the lake’s largemouth bass along with striped bass, bluegill, and crappie. Salt water means crabs, and the area’s large blue crab fishery is an important part of the local economy. At low rainfall, many saltwater species such as stingrays and even sharks make their way to the lake. Bordering the lake’s western shore is the Ocala National Forest, and the Lake George Wildlife Management Area is on the lake’s eastern shore. Map

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