Lake Alice, Florida, USA

Once the home of orange groves and week-end fishing cabins, Lake Alice is quickly becoming exclusive property in a growing bedroom community. Located in the community of Odessa, Florida, Lake Alice is less than 10 miles northwest of Tampa and sandy beaches of the central Gulf Coast. Encircled by cypress trees, wetland grasses and Spanish moss, Lake Alice is the perfect setting for a leisurely southern lakeside…
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    • All About Lake Alice, FL

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Florida - West Central Florida -

    Once the home of orange groves and week-end fishing cabins, Lake Alice is quickly becoming exclusive property in a growing bedroom community. Located in the community of Odessa, Florida, Lake Alice is less than 10 miles northwest of Tampa and sandy beaches of the central Gulf Coast. Encircled by cypress trees, wetland grasses and Spanish moss, Lake Alice is the perfect setting for a leisurely southern lakeside retreat or a country home.

    Today, Lake Alice and Odessa residents proudly hold to their southern agricultural roots and small-town lifestyle but change is coming as it has over much of their history. Originally home to the Seminole Nation, Florida was first claimed by Spanish explorers in the early 16th century. Over the next centuries Florida saw its ruling government change from Spain to France to Great Britain until it was finally purchased by the United States in 1821. At the turn of the 20th century lumber mills were the dominate industry in Odessa. By the 1930s fires took their toll on the mills and the supply of lumber dwindled. It was then that Odessa’s countryside bloomed with orange blossoms and vegetable crops still found around Lake Alice today.

    Lake Alice is a self-contained 92-acre lake. Known for its clear sparkling water, residents have had to face the challenge of maintaining water quality while also permitting new construction and landscaping along the lake’s two-mile shoreline. With development has come a decline in cranes, egrets, otters, alligators, fox, opossum and raccoons that frequented the lake. However Lake Alice property owners have a long history of participation in Florida’s LAKEWATCH program making it possible to turn the tide on land and water concerns as they develop.

    A concentration of aquatic vegetation has developed in Lake Alice helping to maintain a good nutrient balance and excellent fish habitat. Vegetation growth has spread rapidly in recent years but is monitored annually to assure that fishing will remain a favorite pastime on Lake Alice. Anglers have had success in catching Lake Alice’s bluegill and bass. Sizeable catfish have also been found in surrounding Hillsborough County’s “chain of lakes.” Keystone Lake, Island Ford Lake, Lake Calm, Lake Fern, Crescent Lake and Lake Frances are only a few of the lakes within a few miles of Lake Alice. Vacation rentals and real estate properties can be found along many of these fishing lakes as they connect through area swamps, creeks and channels ultimately draining into Hillsborough River to an outlet on Tampa Bay.

    Drive 20 miles east of Lake Alice and you will arrive at Hillsborough River State Park. Developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the park’s original CCC structures were caringly restored in 2009. The park was established to protect one of Florida’s most beautiful spaces. It serves that purpose well by continuing to provide paddlers an adrenaline rush on Hillsborough River’s Class II rapids. Anglers will enjoy the river’s swift currents for the bass, bream and catfish found there. Additional park activities include hiking, bicycling, swimming in the park pool, canoeing and picnicking. First-class park amenities include canoe and bicycle rentals, campsites equipped with water, electricity, fire rings, picnic tables, laundry facilities, showers, restrooms and a dump station. A cafe and gift shop can be found by the swimming pool.

    A short drive southwest of Lake Alice, and also within Florida’s West Central Tourism Region, you will find 2,529-acre Lake Tarpon, one of the top 10 bass fishing lakes in the state. Lake Tarpon’s shore is lined with private properties but anglers will find public access ramps spread around the lake including Brooker Creek Park and Anderson Park.

    To experience sun-drenched sand, sparkling waves and sunsets that fill the sky with color is to experience Florida at its best. Take a 10-mile drive west of Lake Alice and it’s all yours. Whether you drive north or south along the Gulf of Mexico you will find some of the country’s top-rated beaches including Caladesi Island State Park and Fort Desoto Park. When residents of Lake Alice need a change from sand and sun, Orlando’s magical theme parks: Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World are less than 100 miles to the northeast.

    Of course Tampa’s growth is spreading northward bringing change to Lake Alice. With change comes the advantage of easy access to universities, museums, theatres, shops, professional sporting events, golf courses and an endless variety of fine dining. Florida’s beauty and magic lies within short drives of Lake Alice so it is easy to see why change has come to Odessa and its 4,000 residents. Some worry that the sense of community, traditional Florida architecture and natural environment of Lake Alice are disappearing – and they probably are. In its place you will find city dwellers, custom-built homes and manicured lawns. Changes to the lakeshore are inevitable, but changes to the clear water of Lake Alice are not. Lake Alice remains a sparkling jewel with lakefront real estate properties waiting for the next caretakers to treasure her past and ensure her future.

    Things to Do at Lake Alice

    These are some activities in the Lake Alice, FL area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Swimming
    • Swimming Pool
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • State Park
    • Museum

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Alice?

    Lake Alice has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Catfish
    • Sunfish
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Alice

    If you’re considering a Lake Alice lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Lake Alice Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Alice lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Alice Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Not Known

    Surface Area: 92 acres

    Shoreline Length: 2 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 40 feet

    Average Depth: 9 feet

    Maximum Depth: 25 feet

    Water Volume: 764 acre-feet

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

    Lake Alice Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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