Lake Istokpoga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Istokpoga |
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 Lake Istokpoga
Location in Florida
Lake Istokpoga
Location in the United States
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| Location | Highlands County, Florida |
| Coordinates | 27°22′N 81°17′W / 27.367°N 81.283°W |
| Type | Fishing |
| Primary inflows | Arbuckle Creek, Josephine Creek |
| Primary outflows | C41 canal |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 10 miles (16 km) |
| Max. width | 5 miles (8 km) |
| Surface area | 26,762.9 acres (108 km2) |
| Average depth | 4 feet (1.2 m) |
| Max. depth | 10 feet (3.0 m) |
| Surface elevation | 37.5–39.5 ft (11.4–12.0 m) |
| Islands | Big, Bumble Bee |
| Settlements | Lorida, Sebring, Lake Placid |
Lake Istokpoga is a large freshwater lake located in Highlands County, Florida. It covers about 26,763 acres (108 square kilometers). This makes it the fifth largest lake in the state of Florida!
Two creeks, Arbuckle Creek and Josephine Creek, flow into the lake. The lake is shaped like an oval, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) wide and 10 miles (16 kilometers) long.
Even though it's big, Lake Istokpoga is quite shallow. On average, it's only about 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep. The deepest parts are around 10 feet (3 meters). Because it's so shallow, boaters need to be careful not to get stuck in mud near the edges.
People mostly use bass boats and pontoon boats here. Sometimes, airboats are also used. If there are strong winds, the lake can become dangerous for boats because the waves get very high.
Fun on Lake Istokpoga
Boating and fishing are very popular activities on Lake Istokpoga. You can find several "fish camps" around the lake. These camps often offer fishing trips and have cabins or spots for campers to stay overnight.
The lake has good facilities for visitors. There are five public boat ramps where you can launch your boat. There are also two public parks, one on the north side of the lake and another on the southeast corner.
Most of the shoreline around the lake is still natural and undeveloped. Inside the lake, there are two islands called Big Island and Bumble Bee Island. Some homes and private boat docks can be found in certain areas along the shore.
The Legend of Istokpoga
There's a local story about how Lake Istokpoga got its name. The word "Istokpoga" comes from the Seminole language. It is said to mean "a lake where someone was killed in the water."
The legend tells of a group of Seminole Native Americans who tried to cross the lake. They supposedly got stuck in the mud and were pulled down by whirlpools. This sad event is believed to be the origin of the lake's name.
Wildlife at the Lake
Lake Istokpoga is an important home for many animals. One special bird that lives here is the snail kite. This bird is known for its unique curved beak, which it uses to eat snails.
