Lake Bess is a natural freshwater lake southeast of Winter Haven, Florida. It is pear shaped and has a 147-acre (590,000 m2) 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 40 feet (12 m) 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
Lake Bess is located in Florida
Lake Bess
Lake Bess
Location of Lake Bess in Florida
Lake Bess is located in the United States
Lake Bess
Lake Bess
Location of Lake Bess in the USA
LocationPolk County, Florida
Coordinates27°58′00″N 81°39′12″W / 27.9667°N 81.6534°W / 27.9667; -81.6534
Lake typenatural freshwater lake
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length4,000 feet (1,200 m)
Max. width2,385 feet (727 m)
Surface area147 acres (59 ha)
Surface elevation125 feet (38 m)
SettlementsWinter Haven, Florida

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]

References

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  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/ .