Lake Trout
Lake Trout is a sandy-bottomed, clear 'ridge' type lake located north of the City of Avon Park and straddling the border between Highlands and Polk counties. Based on Lakewatch data, water quality in Lake Trout is quite good. Phosphorus levels range from 8 to 28 ppb (parts per billion) and average 17 ppb. Nitrogen levels are quite low, ranging from 260 to 760 ppb and average 465 ppb. Algae populations, as estimated by the concentration of chlorophyll in the water, increase and decrease as nutrient concentrations increase and decrease. Chlorophyll concentrations are very low in Lake Trout, ranging from 2 to 30 ppb and averaging only 9 ppb. The low level of algae increase water clarity, which is measured as the depth to which a standardized 'secchi' disc can be seen when lowered into the water. Secchi depths range from 4 to 17 feet and average 9 feet, making Lake Trout among the clearest lakes in the county. Water quality in this lake fluctuates, as expected, but there does not appear to be a change in overall water quality since Lakewatch sampling began in 1996. Click here to view water quality data by year.
Lakewatch water quality data through 1999