Lake Hartridge

Lake Hartridge – Winter Haven, Florida

Found on the Winter Haven topo map, Lake Hartridge is a well-known freshwater lake located in Polk County, Florida. The lake sits at approximately 28.0567° N, -81.7426° W, with an elevation of 131 feet (40 meters) above sea level. As part of the Southern Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, Lake Hartridge offers anglers access to a productive and scenic Central Florida fishing destination.

Regional Winter Haven Chain trips can be compared below; confirm Lake Hartridge service and availability directly, and anglers who are new to the area are welcomed through public access at Lake Hartridge Park. The park offers a local access point for fishing in Polk County; check current ramp conditions and posted rules before launching.

Lake Hartridge Park & Public Access

Lake Hartridge Park provides excellent amenities for anglers and families alike. The park features a well-maintained boat ramp, a fishing pier, walking trails, a playground, and picnic facilities. Follow the posted park and ramp hours, which should be checked before your visit.

Park Location & Contact Information:

• Address: Beach Parkway at 20th Street Northwest

• Phone: 863-291-5656

The adjoining Nature Park includes a paved one-third-mile loop trail, making it a great spot for wildlife viewing and relaxing between fishing sessions.

About Lake Hartridge Nature Park

The Lake Hartridge Nature Park offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including walking and biking along a one-third-mile paved trail, shaded picnic pavilions, multiple shelters, a large playground, and designated wildlife observation areas. Educational signage throughout the park explains the importance of protecting local water quality and highlights the lake’s role within the Peace River Basin watershed.

A dual boat launch provides access to neighboring chain waters; verify trailer parking and canal clearance before planning a route within the Southern Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, making Lake Hartridge a key gateway for exploring the chain.

Fishing the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes

The Winter Haven Chain of Lakes is ideally located between Tampa and Kissimmee, making it a perfect fishing destination for visitors traveling to Florida’s west coast, the Tampa Bay area, or the Orlando and Disney regions. Booking a guided fishing trip allows anglers to maximize their time on the water without the stress of planning logistics on the fly.

Before booking a regional charter, confirm which lake will be fished, the launch location and availability. The existing Havendale Boulevard meeting reference should be confirmed directly with the captain.

The Polk County Water Atlas Lake Hartridge profile lists 437 acres and describes the Idylwild and Conine canal connections. The City of Winter Haven parks and trails page identifies the nature park’s one-third-mile loop; it should not be confused with a separate half-mile trail claim.

For planning, consult the Lakes Management District public ramp directory and FWC Winter Haven Chain fishing guide. Chain-wide species information includes largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie; it is not a current catch report for this individual lake. Check Florida fishing license requirements before fishing.

Capt Bill Goudy Jr lists regional Winter Haven Chain coverage. Confirm the exact lake, launch and availability with your captain before using the regional charter options.

Gallery images show regional Winter Haven fishing and scenery; exact-lake catch or ramp locations are not verified for each image.