Lake Wales: depth, boat ramps and water quality

Boat: 1 ramp or launch on file for this water.
Start here: Launch at Lake Wales Public Boat Ramp, 1 lane, concrete.

The lake

Lake Wales covers 300 acres in Florida, across Polk County. It is a lake: 98.2% of it is 17 feet deep or less; the deepest point measured is at least 18 feet (5.5 m). Our records hold 17 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. 98.2% of the water is 17 feet or shallower. We hold 29 depth contour lines for this water.

  • 0–2 ft: 4.5% of the water
  • 2–4 ft: 10.1% of the water
  • 4–5 ft: 5.5% of the water
  • 5–6 ft: 5.3% of the water
  • 6–7 ft: 5.9% of the water
  • 7–9 ft: 9.3% of the water
  • 9–10 ft: 5.1% of the water
  • 10–11 ft: 5.1% of the water
  • 11–12 ft: 5.3% of the water
  • 12–13 ft: 5.7% of the water
  • 13–14 ft: 6.6% of the water
  • 14–15 ft: 9.2% of the water
  • 15–16 ft: 12.3% of the water
  • 16–17 ft: 8.3% of the water
  • 17–18 ft: 1.9% of the water

Water and conditions

Water clarity runs 2.1–4.9 feet on our readings, averaging 3.3 feet, from 40 readings. Our water temperature readings average 78°F; they do not cover the whole year, so this is not a yearly average. The coldest single reading we hold is 59°F and the warmest is 89°F; the warmest monthly average is 87°F. pH averages 7.9. These readings span 2016–2025.

1 ramp or launch on this water

On this water we hold 1 trailer ramp.

  • Lake Wales Public Boat Ramp — 1 lane, concrete, parking for 5 trailers (paved), no fee, dock. Lake Wales, City of Lake Wales. North Lakeshore Boulevard, Lake Wales 33853

Our ramp table for this water is not complete: there may be more.

What is hard here

Only 1 public ramp is on file, so the launch decides where you fish. 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 87°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.