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Lake May (Florida) facts for kids

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Lake May
Location of Lake May in Florida, USA.
Location of Lake May in Florida, USA.
Lake May
Location in Florida
Location of Lake May in Florida, USA.
Location of Lake May in Florida, USA.
Lake May
Location in the United States
Location Winter Haven, Florida
Coordinates 28°00′47″N 81°44′12″W / 28.0131°N 81.7367°W / 28.0131; -81.7367
Type natural freshwater lake
Basin countries United States
Max. length 1,980 feet (600 m)
Max. width 1,390 feet (420 m)
Surface area 49.07 acres (20 ha)
Surface elevation 131 feet (40 m)

Lake May is a natural freshwater lake located in southwest Winter Haven, Florida. It has a unique wedge shape and covers about 49.07-acre (198,600 m2) of water. The edges of the lake are often swampy, which means there are wet, marshy areas around its shores.

Discovering Lake May

Lake May is surrounded by different types of land. Some parts are empty, while others have shops and businesses nearby. Even with the surrounding development, the lake keeps its natural feel, especially with its swampy edges.

Public Access and Fun

You can visit Lake May from the south side at a place called Lions Park. This public park is on Avenue L Southwest. Lions Park is a great spot to enjoy nature.

It has a cool wooden nature walk that goes above the ground, letting you explore without getting your feet wet. There's also a fishing dock where you can try to catch some fish. If you're looking for a place to play, the park has a playground too!

Lake May does not have public swimming areas or boat ramps. However, it's part of a bigger system called the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes canal system. This means Lake May is connected to many other lakes in the area through canals.

Connecting to Other Lakes

Two important canals connect Lake May to its neighbors. A canal on the north side links Lake May directly to Lake Howard. Another canal on the south side connects it straight to Lake Shipp. This makes it easy for boats to travel between these lakes, even if there isn't a public boat ramp on Lake May itself.

What Lives in the Lake?

Lake May is home to many different kinds of fish! If you enjoy fishing, you might be able to catch some of these popular species:

  • Largemouth bass
  • Bluegill
  • Bream
  • Bluefish
  • Black crappie

Websites like "Take Me Fishing" and "Hook and Bullet" confirm that these fish are commonly found in Lake May, making it a good spot for anglers.

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