Lake Istokpoga Park boardwalk and fishing pier.
Highlands County is home to more than 100 lakes, ranging from small, deep lakes like Viola, to large, shallow lakes like Istokpoga, where our residents can enjoy a day of swimming, fishing, or boating on a variety of public lakes within our region.
Highlands County staff, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District, Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the University of Florida Lakewatch, collect monthly water samples to monitor the water quality of our lakes as well as conduct vegetation surveys to assess aquatic habitat.
The Highlands County Natural Resources division also works regularly with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on aquatic habitat restoration.
Highlands County Natural Resources staff member JD Foster on Lake Adelaide in Avon Park.
Here is how residents and visitors in our community can help keep our lakes healthy and clean:
- Reduce fertilizer usage: Excess phosphorus and nitrogen applied to yards or gardens can leach or runoff into our lakes and waterbodies during rain events. An abundance of nutrients leads to eutrophication and in turn, algal blooms, some of which may be harmful. Help prevent fertilizer runoff by reducing usage, applying only the recommended amounts, and changing your landscape to a Florida Friendly landscape!
- Irrigate responsibly: Conserve our water resources and prevent stormwater runoff by irrigating your landscape responsibly. Don’t water during the peak heat of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and only water 2-3 days per week. If possible, install a rain gauge on your irrigation system. There is no reason to have the sprinklers on during a rainstorm!
Inspect and maintain your septic tanks: Septic tanks are a large contributor of excess phosphorus and nitrogen into our waterways. Reduce the impact of septic tanks by having it regularly inspected every 2-3 years and pumped when needed. Use household water efficiently and don’t dispose hazard materials in sinks or toilets. If possible, connect to a city or local municipalities sewer system. - Save lakefront habitat: Many people want a beach to go with their lakefront home. However, clearing the native plants also reduces habitat for the variety of fish, birds, amphibians, and mammals that use this habitat as home. Removing native vegetation also removes the lakes nutrient “filter.” Aquatic plants play a critical role in controlling nutrient levels within waterbodies. Florida law requires all persons to obtain a permit from FWC prior to controlling, removing, or altering aquatic plants in waters of the state unless the waters or activities are expressly exempt from the permitting requirements.
- Don’t litter: This is the simplest impact you can have on our waterways – if you have trash, please throw it away in a trash can at our boat ramps or at your home! Never throw away trash in our lakes!
To obtain information on County boat ramps, visit our Parks & Facilities page, or click here.
Natural Resources links