Lake Bess Explained

Lake Bess
Location:Polk County, Florida
Coords:27.9667°N -81.6534°W
Lake Type:natural freshwater lake
Basin Countries:United States
Length:4000feet
Width:2385feet
Area:1470NaN0
Elevation:125feet
Cities:Winter Haven, Florida
Pushpin Map:Florida#USA
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Lake Bess in Florida##Location of Lake Bess in the USA

Lake Bess is a natural freshwater lake southeast of Winter Haven, Florida. It is pear shaped and has a 147acres surface area. Two blocks from its northeast shore is a WalMart supercenter and just north of that is Cypress Gardens Boulevard. On its north-northwest side is a gated residential community. To its west is Lake Ruby. The two lakes are separated by a 40feet strip of land. On its south-southwest shore are residential developments. On its southeast is pastureland. On its east-northeast shore are two country clubs (Lake Bess Country Club and Care Free Country Club) and mobile homes.[1]

Lake Bess is completely surrounded by private property. Therefore, it has no public swimming area or public boat ramp and there is no public access for fishing. Fishing can only be done by obtaining permission from property owners. The Hook and Bullet website, however, says this lake contains blue catfish, gar and crappie.[2]

Notes and References

  1. "Lake Bess" (coordinates 27.9667, -81.6534) in Wikimapia website, http://www.wikimapia.org/ ; Polk County Water Atlas, http://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/lake/default.asp?wbodyatlas=lake&wbodyid=161922 ; World Golf website, http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/usa/florida/winterhaven/lake-bess-country-club-public.html ; Fishing Works website, http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/florida/polk/eloise/lake-bess/ .
  2. Wikimapia website; World Golf website; Hook and Bullet website, http://www.hookandbullet.com/fishing-lake-bess-waverly-fl/ .