Lake Dora: depth, boat ramps and water quality
Boat: 3 ramps and launches on file for this water.
Start here: Launch at City of Tavares Seaplane Base FA1, 4 lanes, unknown.
The lake
Lake Dora covers 4,385 acres in Florida, across Lake County. It is a lake: 97.9% of it is 13 feet deep or less; the deepest point measured is at least 18 feet (5.5 m). Our records hold 20 species for this water.
Depth and bottom
Deepest measured point: at least 18 ft (5.5 m). That is the deepest contour line: the bottom goes deeper. 97.9% of the water is 13 feet or shallower. We hold 113 depth contour lines for this water.
- 0–2 ft: 2% of the water
- 2–4 ft: 4.5% of the water
- 4–6 ft: 6.7% of the water
- 6–8 ft: 10% of the water
- 8–9 ft: 7.1% of the water
- 9–10 ft: 10.7% of the water
- 10–11 ft: 22.6% of the water
- 11–12 ft: 23.2% of the water
- 12–13 ft: 11.1% of the water
- 13–15 ft: 2% of the water
Water and conditions
Water clarity runs 1.5–3.6 feet on our readings, averaging 2.5 feet, from 453 readings. Water temperature averages 77°F across the year. The coldest single reading we hold is 32°F and the warmest is 92°F; the warmest monthly average is 89°F. pH averages 8.3. These readings span 2016–2025.
Monthly average water temperature: Jan 63°F · Feb 68°F · Mar 67°F · Apr 75°F · May 80°F · Jun 85°F · Jul 88°F · Aug 89°F · Sep 85°F · Oct 81°F · Nov 73°F · Dec 67°F
3 ramps and launches on this water
On this water we hold 3 trailer ramps and 2 fishing piers.
- Wooton Park West Boat Ramp — 2 lanes, concrete, parking for 8 trailers (paved), no fee, open around the clock, flush restrooms, dock, wheelchair access. Tavares, City of Tavares. 400 South Sinclair Avenue, Tavares 32778 · website tavares.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Summerall-Park-9
- Summerall Park Boat Launch (Small Boats Only) — 1 lane, concrete, parking for 8 trailers (firm unpaved), no fee, flush restrooms, dock, wheelchair access. Tavares, City of Tavares. 1001 Wells Avenue, Tavares 32778 · phone (352) 742-6319 · website tavares.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Summerall-Park-9
- City of Tavares Seaplane Base FA1 — 4 lanes, flush restrooms. Tavares, City of Tavares. 100 East Ruby Street, Tavares 32778 · website tavares.org/1217/Seaplane-Base-FA1
Fishing piers
- Palm Island Park — no fee, open 7:30am–8pm. Mount Dora, City of Mount Dora. 411 South Tremain St., Mount Dora 32757
- Wooton Park — Tavares, City of Tavares. 100 E. Ruby St., Tavares 32778
2 of the 5 places listed have both a fee and opening hours on file: a blank means we hold no such field, not that it is free or always open, and this list may not be complete.
What is hard here
With 97.9% of the water 13 feet or less, low level turns the flats into hazards. Alligators live in Florida fresh water. Keep clear of the bank edge at dawn and dusk, and keep pets away from it. Summer water sits at 89°F: heat and afternoon lightning are the real risks, not the fishing.
Where this data comes from
- Florida FWC — FWC Florida lake bathymetry: class A, a survey of the bottom.
- SJRWMD — St. Johns River Water Management District: depth contours: class A, a survey of the bottom.
