Lake Harris

Located in Lake County

Lake Harris is a large beauty that is known for many unique features and being the largest lake entirely in Lake County, Florida. The lake is 31 miles away from the exciting city of Orlando.

History of Lake Harris

The lake acquired its name from Ebenezer Jackson Harris, a pioneer resident who lived at Yalaha on the south side of the Lake in the 1840s.

Lake Harris is a part of the "Upper Ocklawha River Basin," a sub-basin of Saint Johns River. The locals refer to the lake as "Harris Chain of Lakes" or "Ocklawha Chain of Lakes."

One of the lake's most unique and interesting features is its shape. When viewing Lake Harris from the air, its shape resembles that of China.

Lake Harris is also the namesake for eight lakes that comprise the Harris Chain of Lakes: Lake Harris, Little Lake Harris, Lake Eustis, the East Lakes(Dora, Beauclair, and Carlton), Lake Griffin and Lake Apopka.

Along the eastern and southern shores of Lake Harris lies private residences, citrus groves and wetlands.

The northern shore of the lake is a mixture of commercial, industrial, and private uses.

Activities on Lake Harris

Lake County is a premier fishing destination with a wide range of fish including bass, bluegill, largemouth bass, sunshine bass, shellcracker, crappie, black crappie, sunfish and more!

If you want to give the reels a rest, climb into your boat and sail along Lake Harris and explore the coves or simply enjoy the view of beautiful cypress trees surrounding the lake. Residents can also freely swim and relax along the waters.

Photographers will find Lake Harris especially intriguing, as it is flooded with beautiful scenery just waiting to be captured such as the grand cypress trees, jumping fish, and Kissimmee reeds.

For activities off the lake, residents can make their way to Orlando to enjoy Walt Disney World, Orlando Studios and a host of outlets, shops, and eateries.

No matter if you are a fisherman, photographer, swimmer or adventure seeker, Lake Harris has something to offer you.