Lake with ducks and swam

Lake Cannon Vacation Rentals

Boat the cool, calm water with your family at Lake Cannon near the welcoming shores of Lake Cannon Park in Florida.

Winter Haven's Scenic Canal Gateway

Newest

Luxury rentals

Family-friendly

Swimming

Why Rent On Lake Cannon

Lake Cannon is a 333-acre freshwater lake in the heart of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, a compact, well-positioned water body that connects through the chain’s historic canal system to Lake Mirror, Lake Howard, and Lake Hartridge, giving it a reach into the broader waterway network that its modest acreage alone would not suggest. The canal connections linking Lake Cannon to its neighboring chain lakes are among the most scenic stretches of urban waterway in Florida, with mature tropical vegetation overhanging the narrow passages and the transition from open lake to shaded canal providing a consistently beautiful change of perspective as you move through the system by kayak or small boat.

Winter Haven Lakeside Rentals on the Connected Chain

Vacation rentals and lakeside homes in the Winter Haven area near Lake Cannon give families a home base at the center of the Winter Haven Chain’s most culturally interesting waterway stretch, with the chain’s canal connections to the downtown lakes and the broader connected system both immediately accessible from the rental’s private dock. A rental with a full kitchen, a screened lanai, and lake views near Lake Cannon places your family within walking distance of downtown Winter Haven’s restaurants and shops while keeping the lake and its canal connections available for every morning of the stay. The Winter Haven Chain’s dock-and-dine culture, accessible through the canal system from Lake Cannon, makes a week here feel simultaneously urban and deeply aquatic.

Fish for Bass and Bluegill, Cruise the Historic Canals

Largemouth bass and bluegill fishing on Lake Cannon are productive throughout the year, with the lake’s residential character keeping the fishing pressure lower than the chain’s larger, more prominently marketed waters. The Lake Cannon Boat Ramp on the southern shore provides easy access for visiting families with trailered boats, and the canal connections to the neighboring chain lakes give anglers additional fishing territory accessible without returning to the ramp. The canal passages through the Winter Haven downtown lakes are best explored by kayak or electric motor for a water-level view of one of Florida’s most distinctive urban waterfront landscapes.

LEGOLAND and the Winter Haven Theme Park Proximity

LEGOLAND Florida on nearby Lake Eloise is the primary theme park option for families staying near Lake Cannon, with the park’s LEGO-themed attractions, water park, and the legendary water ski show all accessible within five to ten minutes of most Lake Cannon rental properties. The lake’s location within easy cycling distance of the LEGOLAND grounds makes a vacation rental near Lake Cannon one of the most practically convenient possible bases for families alternating lake days with park visits across a week-long stay. Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, 20 minutes south, provides a quieter, more contemplative day option that many families find genuinely balancing after the park’s energy.

The Winter Haven Water Ski Heritage and Chain Culture

Winter Haven’s water ski heritage, rooted in the Cypress Gardens era when professional skiers performed on Lake Eloise for audiences that included Hollywood film productions and touring royalty, gives the city’s lake culture a depth and a history that the LEGOLAND revival of the water ski show honors in continuity with the original tradition. The Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Water Ski Association and the community’s ongoing recreational water ski culture on the chain’s open-water lakes give visiting families who want to try the activity a context and a community of experienced practitioners who make the learning process genuinely approachable. Lake Cannon is the canal-connected heart of a chain waterway system that has been providing this kind of community water recreation for nearly a century.

Best time to go
Visit Lake Cannon from late March to early May, when the air is fragrant with blooming jasmine and sunlight dances on sapphire waters. Enjoy tranquil afternoons of fishing and kayaking, as fewer tourists revel in this serene paradise.
Water Quality
Lake Cannon's waters exhibit a deep blue hue, reflecting the clear skies above. The lake's clarity is ultra-clear, allowing for excellent visibility beneath the surface.
Surface area (mi)
0.84
Max depth (ft)
16.08
Elevation (ft)
131.23

Popular activities

  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Fly Fishing
  • Freshwater Fishing
  • Cross-country Skiing
pencil

Planning a trip?

Tell us about your upcoming trip and how we can help!

Nearby lakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to dive into what Lake Cannon has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!

  • No, swimming is not allowed in Lake Cannon. There are no designated swimming areas, and health alerts have been issued due to the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins.

  • Lake Cannon is a popular destination because of its fantastic fishing and boating opportunities. The lake is filled with largemouth bass, bluegill, and black crappie, and it also offers year-round water skiing. Additionally, the area around the lake features other attractions like the Bok Tower Gardens and the Fantasy of Flight exhibit.

  • Boats must not exceed 15 miles per hour within 150 feet of any shoreline on Lake Cannon. This speed limit is to ensure safety and minimize disturbance to the environment and other water users. Additionally, anglers should follow general fishing regulations and check local reports for any specific restrictions.

  • There is no public beach at Lake Cannon. The name ‘Cannon’ in this context does not refer to Cannon Beach, Oregon, but rather to a different location. Cannon Beach in Oregon has public beaches along the Pacific Ocean, not a lake.

  • The town closest to Lake Cannon, Florida, is Winter Haven. Lake Cannon is located within Winter Haven in Polk County, with residential areas and public parks like Lake Cannon Public Park surrounding the lake. The lake is part of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes system.