Just outside Orlando, surrounded by cypress trees, wetlands and sprawling marsh, Lake Jessup is one of Central Florida’s most unusual fishing destinations. It is also one of the places in Florida where anglers are reminded that they are sharing the water with some very large—and very numerous—alligators.
Lake Jessup is part of the St. Johns River system and covers thousands of acres within Seminole County. While it may not have the name recognition of some of Florida’s better-known bass lakes, Jessup has developed a reputation among anglers who know where to look for quality largemouth bass.
And then there are the gators.
Lake Jessup has long been recognized for having one of the largest concentrations of alligators in Florida. Estimates have put the population in the thousands, and during the warmer months it isn’t unusual for anglers to see multiple alligators during a single trip. The combination of extensive marsh, shallow water and abundant wildlife provides an ideal environment for Florida’s iconic reptile.
For anglers, that makes Lake Jessup a fishing experience unlike almost anywhere else…