Lake Down

Lake Down is the northern-most lake in the Butler Chain. Also known as the Windermere Chain of Lakes, this chain is made up of 11-13 (depending on who you ask) lakes covering 5,000+ acres all interconnected by a canal system allowing boaters to move quickly from one lake to another. There are 23 canals that connect the lakes in the Butler Chain.  Each canal is considered navigable and averages three to five feet of water depth during most times of the year.

Karst topography formed the Butler Chain of Lakes. This process occurs when limestone exposed to water dissolves over time. Sinkholes form and grow.is the primary source that fills the Butler Chain of Lakes. Wildlife is abundant in the city, however urbanized the area may seem. The water quality in the lake is maintained to preserve its marine life. 

This premier bass fishing destination is known for its incredible catches. The Butler Chain is legendary for the number of bass it produces year after year. It is ranked consistently as one of the top ten best bass fishing lakes in the country. You can enjoy fishing with both artificial lures and live bait. Wild-caught live shiners are ultimately the bait of choice when looking to catch that trophy bass you have been after. 

Other game fish found in the Butler Chain of Lakes  include bowfin, chain pickerel, crappie, bluegill, alligator gar, grass carp, sunfish and channel catfish.  Fish species in the lake eat a variety of plant and animal life, including amphibians, crustaceans, and other small fish. 

The Butler Chain of Lakes gives you the feel of “Old Florida” with is natural surroundings, wetlands / marshes and abundant wildlife.  While there are a number of residential homes and communities which surround the lakes on the Butler chain, there is no significant commercial development. 

The most northern lake in the Butler Chain is Lake Down spanning 884 acres. Several neighborhoods border this lake. You can exit the lake through a canal on the western side and enter Wauseon Bay.  Wauseon Bay is a 123 acre body of water. This serves as a connection between Lake Down and Lake Butler.

There is one boat ramp directly on Lake Down, but there is no public parking there.  Other boaters will access Lake Down via a ramp in RD Keene Park on Lake Isleworth or, the ramp at the Orange County Sportsman’s Association on Lake Sheen, which requires a membership.  RD Keene has excellent parking and is only $5.  Boaters must navigate the canals between the lakes of the Butler Chain to get to Lake Down. 

With so much water and fun to be had on Lake Down and the entire Butler Chain of Lakes, you may never want to leave.  But, if you have the urge for theme park fun, you are very short distance to Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios and even Downtown Orlando.