Lake Istokpoga, Florida

Lake Istokpoga is a 26,762.9-acre freshwater 

lake in Highlands County, Florida.  It is fed by two creeks, Arbuckle Creek and Josephine Creek.

It is considered the fifth largest lake in the state of Florida.

Despite its area, it is very shallow, with an average depth of only 4 feet.    Maximum depth is 10 feet.

Most of the shoreline is undeveloped and there are two islands, Big and Bumble Bee, in the lake’s interior.

This is a great bass fishing lake with lots of hydrilla, reeds, bull grass and pepper grass.

The best fishing method is flipping or casting worms.

Local legend is that the word Istokpoga is of the Seminole language meaning “a lake where someone was killed in the water” because a group of Seminole Indians attempted to cross the lake and were bogged in the mire and swallowed by whirlpools.

I have been guiding on Lake Istokpoga for more than 10 years.