Two connected lakes, one public boat ramp, and some of the quietest bass water in Orlando — all about 10 minutes south of Town Center.
The Lake Hart chain near Lake Nona, Florida, is a two-lake system made up of Lake Hart (roughly 1,850 acres) and Lake Mary Jane (roughly 1,150 acres), connected by a short canal in southeast Orange County. Public access is through Moss Park at 12901 Moss Park Road, Orlando, FL 32832, which has two boat ramps and charges about $3–$5 per vehicle to enter. Anglers target largemouth bass, black crappie (speckled perch), bluegill, and redear sunfish under FWC statewide freshwater rules. A Florida freshwater fishing license is required for most anglers ages 16–64. Moss Park sits roughly 10 minutes south of Lake Nona Town Center via Narcoossee Road and Moss Park Road.
Most people come to Lake Nona for Medical City, Town Center, or the schools. But drive about 10 minutes south, past where the strip malls give way to oak canopy, and you hit a different Florida entirely: two big, quiet lakes full of bass, ringed by cypress and marsh, barely a wake in sight.
That's the Lake Hart chain — and "chain" is a bit generous. This isn't a sprawling ten-lake system like the Harris Chain up in Lake County; it's two lakes, Lake Hart and Lake Mary Jane, joined by a short canal. But for anyone who wants a boat in the backyard without fighting jet-ski traffic, that compact little chain is one of southeast Orlando's most underrated assets.
What Is the "Lake Hart Chain," Really?
Lake Hart is the larger of the pair at roughly 1,850 acres; Lake Mary Jane runs around 1,150 acres. The short canal linking them means a boat launched on one lake can reach the other — together, roughly 3,000 acres of open freshwater.
What makes them special isn't size, though — it's the quiet. Both lakes are bordered by protected land: 1,550-acre Moss Park sits on the isthmus between them, and Split Oak Forest backs up to the south. That green buffer is why you'll see sandhill cranes, wading birds, and deer instead of wall-to-wall lakefront McMansions — rare for water this close to a booming master-planned community.
Getting on the Water: Moss Park and Its Two Ramps
Public access to the Lake Hart chain runs through Moss Park, the Orange County park at 12901 Moss Park Road, Orlando, FL 32832. There's no other public ramp on these lakes — this is the door.
The park has two boat ramps just inside the front gate: one closest to Lake Mary Jane, one on the canal closest to Lake Hart. Both work for canoes and kayaks, too. A few things worth knowing before you load the truck:
- Entry fee: roughly $3 per vehicle for 1–2 people, $5 for 3–8, and $1 for walk-ins or cyclists.
- Hours: generally 8 a.m.–8 p.m. in summer, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. in winter — but they shift seasonally, so check before an early launch.
- No pets, no alcohol (service animals excepted), which is stricter than a lot of county parks.
- Parking near the ramps is limited — arrive early on weekends and holidays.
The park itself is a whole destination — 54 campsites, pavilions, playgrounds, and trails into Split Oak. For the full rundown on camping, wildlife, and trails, see our Moss Park: Camping, Boating, and Wildlife on Lake Hart and Lake Mary Jane guide; for the drive down, our Moss Park Road and the Eagle Creek Corridor guide covers the route through southern Lake Nona.
What You'll Catch
The Lake Hart chain fishes like classic Central Florida. Your realistic targets:
- Largemouth bass — the headliner. Work the shoreline vegetation, lily pads, and the mouths of the canal early and late in the day.
- Black crappie — locals call them "specks." Cooler months, roughly November through February, are prime; drift minnows or small jigs in deeper water until you find a school.
- Bluegill and redear sunfish — the "shellcracker" is a spring favorite around beds. Great for kids, a light rod, and some of the best eating.
- Catfish — reliable on the bottom with cut bait or worms if you just want a bend in the rod.
These aren't tournament-famous waters like Lake Toho down in Kissimmee — and that's part of the appeal: less pressure, fewer boats, and the kind of quiet water where a first-timer can learn. Want on-water thrills without owning a boat? The cable wakeboarding and aqua park at Nona Adventure Park are a different kind of day out.
Rules, Licenses, and Limits
Both lakes fall under Florida's statewide freshwater regulations. The essentials, current as of this writing:
- A Florida freshwater fishing license is required for most anglers ages 16–64 (kids under 16 and residents 65+ exempt). Buy one at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
- Largemouth bass: 5 per day, only one of which may be 16 inches or longer.
- Crappie (speck): 25 per day, no minimum length.
- Panfish (bluegill, shellcracker, and similar): 50 per day combined.
Limits and rules change, so do yourself a favor and check the current numbers on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site before you head out. Nobody wants their first Lake Hart bass to come with a citation.
Boating and Paddling: The Honest Version
Let's be real about conditions. Both lakes are big and open, so wind builds fast and the chop can get uncomfortable by midday — morning is almost always the calmer, better-fishing window. And yes, alligators live here. Paddlers should hug the shorelines and marsh edges (where the birds and fish are anyway), keep hands and dogs out of the water, and never swim. On that note: lake swimming at Moss Park has generally been discontinued, so confirm the park's current water rules rather than planning a beach day.
Living on the Water
Here's where it gets interesting if you're house-hunting. The Lake Hart chain is one of the few spots in the Lake Nona footprint where you can live on the water — dock, boat, and space between you and the neighbors:
- North Shore at Lake Hart — a gated community directly on Lake Hart, near Moss Park.
- Isle of Pines — an established, no-fuss lakefront neighborhood on Lake Mary Jane, big lots and, in places, no HOA.
- Live Oak Estates — large-lot living just off the chain, same secluded, canopied feel.
The trade-off is honest: you get seclusion, space, and lake access, but also a longer drive to Town Center, a single road in and out, and some airplane noise from MCO. For the buyer who values a quiet dock over a five-minute Publix run, that's a fantastic deal. Our Lake Nona waterfront homes page shows what lakefront actually costs down here.
The quick pros and cons as a fishing and boating destination:
- Pros: quiet water, solid bass and panfish, two connected lakes, minimal boat traffic, wildlife everywhere, minutes from home.
- Cons: one public ramp only, wind on open water, alligators, no swimming, and no lakeside marina, bait shop, or fuel — come stocked.
What the Neighbors Know
Regulars will tell you the same things: go early, watch the wind, respect the gators, and stock up before you turn onto Moss Park Road — there's no bait shop on the water. If being able to fish or launch a kayak before work sounds like a good life, the southern edge of Lake Nona is one of the only places in the area that delivers it.
Discover more trails, parks, and outdoor recreation in our detailed Lake Nona parks and recreation guide, and for tennis, golf, and the rest of the active scene, see our Lake Nona sports and athletics guide. Weekend on the water, then Town Center for dinner? That's a pretty good version of Lake Nona living. 🎣
For current entry fees, hours, ramp status, and camping reservations, visit the official Moss Park page from Orange County Parks & Recreation.
Want to know which neighborhoods sit on the water? Browse the latest Lake Nona listings, or reach David Myers at 407.801.3286 or through our contact form for straight-talking local advice.
David Myers 407-801-3286
