Are There Alligators in Lake Underhill? Is It Safe To Swim

Florida has no shortage of American alligators. You can find them in virtually any lake or pond in the state, even if you can’t see them immediately. There is always a risk. But what about Lake Underhill? Are there alligators in Lake Underhill? Where is this lake even located? Follow along to find out.

Where is Lake Underhill?

Lake Underhill is a 140-acre public lake in Orlando, Florida. This lake is a popular lake to fish, kayak, and walk around. It’s the main attraction at Lake Underhill Park, which is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Within this neighborhood park is a boating ramp, parking spaces, a 1.3-mile loop trail, and fitness equipment. This park/trail also connects with others.

Orlando is a Central Florida city with a population of over 300,000 people. It’s one of the most visited cities in the U.S., welcoming over 2.8 million visitors every year. Orlando has a surface area of 119.08 square miles. Popular lakes in Orlando include Lake Eola and Lake Conway.

Are There Alligators in Lake Underhill?

Now that we know a little more about Lake Underhill, we can answer the important question of whether there are alligators in Lake Underhill. The short answer is yes, although you may not see them. American alligators can be in any freshwater body of water in Florida, including popular lakes in parks and around nature trails like Lake Underhill.

Although there are alligators in Lake Underhill, not a lot is known about the population size. Still, if you look on social media or photo reviews of Lake Underhill, you’ll see at least two alligators. They are small and easily less than 6 feet long. Thankfully, no alligator attacks have happened on the lake. Still, if you visit, keep your eyes peeled and your pets away from the shore.

Animals in Lake Underhill

Who says American alligators are the only animals found in and around Lake Underhill? While you won’t find large mammals like deer or bears around this Central Florida public lake, the body of water is filled with plenty of fish. Lake Underhill is also a spectacular place to go bird watching, either by boat or by taking a stroll along the loop trail.

If you’re lucky and keep your eyes on the water, you may see American river otters. Popular fish to go fishing for are bluegill, catfish, and largemouth bass. Some people fish from the pier, while others take boats on the water.

Birds you can find in the lake include white ibis, great egrets, blue herons, mallard ducks, mourning doves, gray catbirds, ring-necked ducks, and northern cardinals.

Alligator-Infested Lakes in Florida

Lake Underhill isn’t an alligator-infested lake. Although a few American alligators have been spotted in this lake, they aren’t big or seen every day. There are lakes in Florida, though, where not seeing an alligator is strange. Listed below are a few of the most alligator-infested lakes in Florida.

Lake Okeechobee

One of the most alligator-infested lakes in Florida is Lake Okeechobee. According to an alligator counting tool by Donovan Myrie (Ph.D.), 9,038 American alligators were counted in Lake Okeechobee. Of these, 261.8 were bulls.

Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in the state. It’s about 36 miles long and 29 miles wide. The surface area of this lake is 734 square miles. Lake Okeechobee’s average depth is 8 feet and 10 inches, while the lake’s maximum depth is 12 feet. This lake is a popular spot for bass fishing.

Lake Kissimmee

Another alligator-infested lake is Lake Kissimmee. It’s one of the largest lakes in the state. Lake Kissimmee has a surface area of about 54.61 square miles. It’s 15 miles long and 6.6 miles wide. The average depth of Lake Kissimmee is 5 feet, while the maximum depth is 12 feet.

The total gator account in Lake Kissimmee, according to the same tool listed above, was 2,065. About 113.6 of the alligators counted were bull gators.

Lake Jesup

Last but not least is Lake Jesup in Seminole County, Florida. This lake has a surface area of 16,000 acres. It’s about 16 miles long and 6 feet deep. The maximum depth of Lake Jesup is 10 feet.

So, how many alligators live in Lake Jesup? About 2,414 American alligators were counted in this lake, including 78 gator bulls.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Yordan Balabanov/Shutterstock.com