Late afternoon sun over Slim Lake, scattering a bright path across wind-textured water

Highlands County Lake Quality

Florida, 108 lakes, measured by Florida DEP

Highlands County has 108 monitored lakes, enough that within-county variation matters as much as the county average. Some are deep glacial basins, others are shallow agricultural-watershed waters, and the measurements reflect that mix. 62 of those lakes carry recent nutrient and algae readings. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. Most monitored lakes in Highlands County carry favourable nutrient and algae readings for Florida.

Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow, under 50 feet, which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Highlands-Sirena Lake has the lowest nutrient and algae readings in the county.

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Quick Answers for Highlands County

Cleanest lakes in Highlands County →Cleanest lakes in Florida →Best swimming lakes in Florida →

Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Highlands-Sirena Lake — or check the official Florida fishing regulations.

All Lakes in Highlands County

108 lakes · 62 ranked on readings, 46 without enough sampling62 lakes ranked on readings · 46 without enough sampling, hidden

Include not-rated lakes (46)

#	Lake	Clarity	Phosphorus	Algae	Trophic	Max Depth	Access
1	Highlands-Sirena LakeHighlands	16 ft	8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
2	Highlands-Verona LakeHighlands	13.2 ft	12 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
3	Lake GlenadaHighlands	2.3 ft	40 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
4	Highlands-Denton LakeHighlands	23.4 ft	5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
5	Highlands-Persimmon LakeHighlands	2 ft	24 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
6	Highlands-Annie LakeHighlands	7 ft	9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
7	Little Lake JacksonHighlands	5.2 ft	23 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
8	Highlands-Lelia LakeHighlands	4 ft	13 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
9	Highlands-Little Bonnet LakeHighlands	2 ft	24 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
10	Buck LakeHighlands	13.8 ft	3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
11	Highlands-Placid LakeHighlands	4.3 ft	15 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
12	Lake JuneHighlands	5.2 ft	9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
13	Highlands-Lotela LakeHighlands	7 ft	14 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
14	Highlands-Letta LakeHighlands	7 ft	18 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
15	Highlands-Red Beach LakeHighlands	3.5 ft	15 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
16	Highlands-Sebring LakeHighlands	5.1 ft	31 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
17	Highlands-Adelaide LakeHighlands	7 ft	13 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
18	Highlands-Little Redwater LakeHighlands	4.8 ft	30 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
19	Lake FrancisHighlands	4.6 ft	12 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
20	Highlands-Apthorpe LakeHighlands	5 ft	13 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
21	Highlands-Glenada LakeHighlands	2.9 ft	43 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
22	Highlands-Josephine East LakeHighlands	2 ft	41.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
23	Highlands-Dinner LakeHighlands	9 ft	10 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
24	Highlands-Olivia LakeHighlands	6 ft	12 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
25	Highlands-Damon LakeHighlands	8 ft	17 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
26	Lake ApthorpeHighlands	4.3 ft	11.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
27	Highlands-Tulane LakeHighlands	17 ft	7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
28	Highlands-June LakeHighlands	5 ft	13 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
29	Highlands-Huntley LakeHighlands	8.3 ft	15 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
30	Lake VeronaHighlands	11.3 ft	9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
31	Highlands-Lillian LakeHighlands	13.5 ft	11 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
32	Highlands-Lynn LakeHighlands	11.3 ft	9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
33	Highlands-Pioneer LakeHighlands	7 ft	11 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
34	Highlands-Pythias LakeHighlands	5.4 ft	19 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
35	Highlands-Jackson LakeHighlands	10.5 ft	14 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
36	Highlands-Carrie LakeHighlands	3 ft	29 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
37	Lake DentonHighlands	17.7 ft	3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
38	Highlands-Viola LakeHighlands	6.8 ft	12 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
39	Buck Lake @ MiddleHighlands	19 ft	3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
40	Lake TulaneHighlands	14.8 ft	6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
41	Highlands-Pearl LakeHighlands	15.7 ft	11 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
42	Highlands-Little Jackson LakeHighlands	7.2 ft	25 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
43	Lake AngeloHighlands	2 ft	20 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
44	Highlands-Clay LakeHighlands	6 ft	16 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
45	Lake AnnieHighlands	5.9 ft	10 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
46	Lake LotelaHighlands	7.2 ft	11 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
47	Lake AnokaHighlands	10.7 ft	8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
48	Lake LettaHighlands	4.9 ft	17 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
49	Lake DamonHighlands	6.6 ft	12 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
50	Lake HenryHighlands	3.6 ft	16 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
51	Lake Little Red WaterHighlands	1.6 ft	41.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
52	Highlands-Grassy LakeHighlands	5 ft	12.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
53	Red Water LakeHighlands	3.3 ft	14 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
54	Blue LakeHighlands	1.3 ft	15 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
55	Lkeplacid LakeHighlands	4.6 ft	13 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
56	Huckleberry LakeHighlands	3.6 ft	49 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
57	Highlands-Josephine Center LakeHighlands	1.8 ft	61.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
58	Highlands-Josephine West LakeHighlands	1.5 ft	92 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
59	Highlands-Wolf LakeHighlands	1 ft	229.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
60	Highlands-August LakeHighlands	2.5 ft	65 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
61	Highlands-Istokpoga LakeHighlands	1.8 ft	90.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
62	Lake IstokpogaHighlands	1 ft	62 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Highlands-Deer LakeHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Blue Lake @ CenterHighlands	7.2 ft	15.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Highlands-Francis LakeHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Highlands-Redwater LakeHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake PearlHighlands	10.5 ft	8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake GrassyHighlands	4.3 ft	9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake JacksonHighlands	2.6 ft	28 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Pearl Lake @ CenterHighlands	14.8 ft	8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake SebringHighlands	2.5 ft	68 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Persimmon LakeHighlands	0.7 ft	17 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Lake ClayHighlands	2.5 ft	15 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Public Boat Ramp Lake GlenadaHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Lake Rachard @ CenterHighlands	8.2 ft	15 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake CarrieHighlands	3.3 ft	31 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Lake LeliaHighlands	3.6 ft	10 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Highlands County LakeHighlands	1.6 ft	39 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Highlands County LakeHighlands	2.6 ft	11 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Saddlebags LakeHighlands	5.9 ft	10 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	LakesirenaHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	DinnerlakeHighlands	9.2 ft	10 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	LakeHighlands	12.8 ft	5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake ViolaHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Hog LakeHighlands	5.9 ft	12 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake PlacidHighlands	3.9 ft	15 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake Bonnet Boat RampHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Perismmon LakeHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Little Lake GrassyHighlands	3 ft	14.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Littlered LakeHighlands	5.9 ft	18 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake AngeloHighlands	2 ft	20 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Mud LakeHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Grassy PondHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Basket LakeHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Christy LakeHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake RuthHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake CharlotteHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	22 ft	Not recorded
	Frank Taucher ReservoirHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Northwest Lake NellieHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake McCoyHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Mirror LakeHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	40 ft	Not recorded
	Lake SimmonsHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Southeast Lake NellieHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Center Lake NellieHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Pitman BayHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake IsisHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake BrentwoodHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake ByrdHighlands	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32 ft	Not recorded

NR = no nutrient or algae reading on record. The measurements are published as the authority reports them. Where the data comes from.

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Source: the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. See data sources.