There are a total of 38 lakes in Lakeland. Here is a brief summary of some of the more popular ones.

 

 

Lake Hollingsworth is located just east of South Florida Avenue and west of Bartow Road. Lake Hollingsworth Drive has a path for biking and walking known as the Lake-to-Lake Trail. Lake Hollingsworth Loop is a 2.9-mile loop trail that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

 

Florida Southern College is located on the north side of the lake, some of the buildings on campus are designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The lake is also a popular site for bird watching. Lake Hollingsworth bears the name of John Henry Hollingsworth, a pioneer who settled there.

 

Lake Morton bears the name of John P. Morton, who owned land near the lake. You can bike, jog or boat. This lake is known for some popular Lakeland restaurants, the library and Polk County Art Museum. Located in the heart of Lakeland, this is the lake to visit when you want to grab a bench and watch the birds and swans! A big event is Mayfaire by-the-Lake; it is one of Central Florida’s largest and longest running outdoor art festivals. It is even on Sunshine Artist magazine’s prestigious “Best 200 Art Shows." Most homes in the neighborhoods within the Lake Morton District were built during the Florida Boom between 1920 and 1926.

 

 

Lake Parker is a popular lake located on the northeast side of the city of Lakeland, FL. It is the largest lake in the city, and known for fishing and boating. You will find boat ramps and fishing piers. The lake is relatively shallow with an average depth of 5 feet. The lake has inflow from several lakes in Lakeland including Lake Mirror and Lake Bonny. The lake bears the name of  Streaty Parker, a pioneer settler.

You can also walk around the lake with its trails. The Lake-to-Lake Trail starts at Lake Parker and continues through downtown Lakeland, ending at Lake John. It has a great park for kids and a trail.

LAKE BEULAH  
Lake Beulah was named after an attractive local woman, whom young men in Lakeland became infatuated with. The moral of the story: If you’re not naming the person of your affection after a body of water, do you even like them?
  

 

Lake Mirror is in the heart of downtown Lakeland. You can find The Joinery, Hollis Gardens, Barnett Park and lots of walkways and benches. Grab a lunch, and have a picnic. The Lakeland Christmas Parade and Red, White and Kaboom events all center around Lake Mirror. This lake was so named on account of the clarity of its waters.

The Frances Langford Promenade is a National Historic Place.

Spend an evening learning the history of Lake Mirror and the early beginnings of Lakeland reaching back into the late 1800s with Parks and Recreation's very own Stacy Smith! The group traverses Lake Mirror including a brief stop in the Loggia.

Tours are offered the fourth Tuesday of each month after dark.

  

Lake Wire, an almost-round lake, has a surface area of 22.17 acres (89,700 m2). The lake is completely surrounded by a public sidewalk.

The public is allowed to access the shore daily from dawn to dusk. There are no boat ramps or swimming areas along the lake shore, but it can be fished from the shore.

The Western Union Telegraph Co.’s lines once traversed the “old wire” road where this lake is, that connected the town to Ocala and Punta Gorda. Poles with the wires on them even once stood in the pond.

Lake Gibson is located in North Lakeland. It has a surface area of 483 acres. The lake is a part of the Peace River – Saddle Creek Watersed. The lake serves as a seaplace base with 7,000 feet runway. The most popular species caught here are largemouth bass, bluegill, and blue catfish; 237 catches are logged on Fishbrain. Get water depth of Lake Gibson and insights from other anglers.

You can find out more about fishing on the lakes on the following website:

https://www.takemefishing.org/.