Lake Crosby, Florida, USA

Lake Crosby is located in the heart of Bradford County, in Florida’s North tourism region. It features an average depth of 15 feet, and a consistent water level that rarely fluctuates more than three feet at any given time. The lake is situated at the top of a sort of triangle, with its sisters Lake Rowell and Lake Sampson to the south and southwest. These three bodies…
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    • All About Lake Crosby, FL

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Florida - North Florida -

    Lake Crosby is located in the heart of Bradford County, in Florida’s North tourism region. It features an average depth of 15 feet, and a consistent water level that rarely fluctuates more than three feet at any given time. The lake is situated at the top of a sort of triangle, with its sisters Lake Rowell and Lake Sampson to the south and southwest. These three bodies of water, along with Lake Hampton farther south, are all a part of the Suwannee River Water Management District.

    While swimming, water skiing, jet skiing and boating are some of Lake Crosby’s most exciting pastimes, sport fishing easily takes the cake as the lake’s most popular activity. Yearling bass, catfish, speckled perch and black crappie are by far its most prevalent species; local anglers recommend using artificial worms and float-diving lures for successful baiting. Next door at Lake Sampson, fly and wade fishing are phenomenal; panfish and largemouth bass are particularly plentiful here. Vegetation throughout this 2,042-acre body of water includes water lilies, cattails, eelgrass, hydrilla and maidencane grass – all of which attract fish galore. Lake Sampson is connected to the smaller Lake Rowell via canal. With a surface area of 364 acres, this eutrophic lake hosts a variety of fish and plant life. It also features a maximum depth of six feet and an impressive population of largemouth bass and crappie.

    Due south of Lake Crosby lies the Santa Fe Swamp Conservation Area, a 5,70-acre tract of land dedicated to protecting the flora and fauna of the Florida marsh. Wildlife watching, horseback riding, biking, and hiking are the primary pastimes at the park. Hunting for deer, rabbit, hog and turkey is secondary – but only permitted with primitive weapons like bows and arrows. Just north of Lake Bulter, the Raiford Wildlife Management Area is home to birds and animals like the red-tailed hawk, eastern cottontail rabbit, and gopher tortoise.

    The Ocala National Forest is a great day trip from Lake Crosby, situated about an hour and a half south by car. Camping reigns supreme in this woodland wonderland, with sites ranging from basic tent grounds to complex RV hook-ups. Facilities include showers, grills, picnic areas, and restrooms. Swimming, water skiing, bicycling, boating, and wildlife watching are incredible at Ocala, as is hiking. The forest encompasses 67-miles of the Florida Trail, a scenic 1,400-mile trek across the state. For day trippers, several shorter loops are also available. The St. Francis Trail features two circles measuring 11.5 miles in combined length, and the intense Paisley Woods Bike Trail boasts a breathtaking 22 miles.

    East of Lake Crosby and on the banks of the almost perfectly-circular Kingsley Lake, you’ll find Camp Blanding – an important training center for the Florid National Guard. The base was founded in 1939, during the second World War. An on-site museum chronicles the fascinating story of the camp’s past, present and possible future. Interestingly enough, Camp Blanding was the site of the 1997 film “G.I. Jane,” starring Demi Moore.

    Lake lovers have not experienced a truly magnificent twilight on the water until they have seen the sun set on Lake Crosby . Soft shades of pink fade to purple and orange as the sun falls below the horizon line, with millions of trees reflected in the shimmering ripples along the lake’s surface.

    Things to Do at Lake Crosby

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

    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Jet Skiing
    • Water Skiing
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • National Forest
    • Museum

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Crosby?

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

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Black Crappie
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Perch
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Crosby

    If you’re considering a Lake Crosby 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 Crosby Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Crosby 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 Crosby Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Not Known

    Water Level Control: St. John’s Water Management District

    Surface Area: 558 acres

    Drainage Area: 6 sq. miles

    Lake Crosby Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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