With over 451,000 acres, Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in Florida, but surprisingly has an average depth of only nine feet. The lake is part of the 154-mile Okeechobee Waterway, a huge body of water that connects the Gulf of Mexico with the Atlantic Ocean. Lake Okeechobee is a natural lake, probably a leftover from the receding ocean some 6,000 years ago. Fishing at Lake Okeechobee is very good, especially for catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, and speckled perch. There are several big fishing tournaments held on the lake throughout the year. Most visitors explore the lake from Clewiston, Florida, conveniently located on the lake's southern shore. The Sugarland Express tour takes tourists through local farms and mills. There is also a three-hour boat cruise, or you can join 110-mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail that offers spectacular views of the lake below and frequent encounters with the area wildlife. Map

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