Cypress Lake

Cypress Lake, also called Lake Cypress, is an Osceola County lake in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes south of St. Cloud. It connects with Lake Hatchineha through the C-36 canal and sits in the headwaters of the Kissimmee–Okeechobee–Everglades watershed. Anglers come for bass fishing, open water and marsh-edge scenery. Explore the wider Kissimmee Chain around Lake Kissimmee or plan your stay through our St. Cloud fishing guide.

Cypress Lake fishing and target species

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission information for the Kissimmee Chain identifies Florida bass, bluegill, shellcracker and black crappie among the area’s freshwater catches. On Cypress Lake, the main guided target is largemouth bass; panfish trips may also target bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker) or crappie. Fish location and lure choice change with weather, water level and vegetation, so ask your guide what is working before choosing a trip.

When to fish Cypress Lake

Fishing is possible throughout the year. Many visitors prefer the cooler fall, winter and spring months for a comfortable day on the water. As conditions change, look for bass around vegetation edges, baitfish activity and water movement near connections in the chain. These are planning clues, not a promise that one pattern will work on every outing. Our Kissimmee Chain fishing tips explain more approaches that can apply across nearby lakes.

Boat access and meeting point

The South Florida Water Management District lists the Cypress Lake ramp on the east side of the lake at 3301 Lake Cypress Road, Kenansville, FL 34739. Its nearby Gardner-Cobb Marsh area is reached by boat or airboat. The ramp address is a useful starting point, but confirm your actual departure location, meeting time and boat access directly with your captain when booking. St. Cloud is a nearby market; the public ramp’s postal address is Kenansville.

How large is the lake?

Published lake-area measurements differ by mapping method. The U.S. Geological Survey describes Cypress Lake as 4,085 acres, while the USF Water Atlas maps 3,192 acres for its waterbody outline. We use the USGS figure for the lake-size field and show both sources here so readers can see why figures online differ.

Planning a guided trip

Compare the Cypress Lake guides shown on this page, then check their trip details, party size, current availability and meeting location before reserving. Lake-specific availability can change; a nearby captain’s profile alone does not guarantee a Cypress Lake departure. For rules and harvest limits, consult the current Florida freshwater regulations before fishing.

Historic fall shad-pattern field note

One historical Cypress Lake trip reported largemouth following shad in fall. Crankbaits and Rattle Trap-style lures produced fish; the report also mentioned a dark Bass Assassin Tap Out on a Carolina rig and bluegill-colored to black-and-blue swim jigs. That outing recorded roughly 20 fish, with the largest near five pounds. It is a past field observation, not a forecast or a typical catch guarantee.