Lake Okeechobee had the highest estimated alligator population in the latest located ranked list, with about 33,542 estimated alligators for 2024. Lake Kissimmee ranked second at 16,184, followed by Lake Jesup at 14,518. The list includes rivers and managed areas as well as lakes, so it is best understood as a ranking of Florida waters and areas.
These are estimated total populations attributed to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) data and reported by USA TODAY Network – Florida in 2025—not exact counts or a verified 2026 ranking. They should not be confused with separate 2023 survey counts reported by WKMG ClickOrlando.
Florida waters with the highest reported alligator estimates
| Rank | Water or area | Estimated population | Reporting year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Okeechobee | About 33,542 | 2024 | Lake |
| 2 | Lake Kissimmee | 16,184 | 2024 | Lake |
| 3 | Lake Jesup | 14,518 | 2024 | Lake |
| 4 | Orange Lake | 12,032 | 2024 | Lake |
| 5 | St. Johns River, Lake Poinsett | 10,951 | 2024 | River location |
| 6 | Everglades WMA | 8,301 | 2024 | Wildlife management area |
| 7 | St. Johns River, Puzzle Lake | 7,585 | 2024 | River location |
| 8 | T.M. Goodwin, Broadmoor Unit | 7,518 | 2024 | Managed area |
| 9 | Lake Griffin | 7,370 | 2024 | Lake |
| 10 | St. Johns River, Lake Harney | 7,110 | 2024 | River location |
USA TODAY Network – Florida reported this ranking in April 2025, attributing the figures to FWC data. The estimates describe total populations for 2024; they are not animals-per-acre measurements or a ranking of danger.
What the estimates mean
Use “estimated population” rather than treating these figures as exact counts. The 2025 ranking’s account of FWC’s method says estimates draw on current-year size and count data, environmental variables such as water level, and detection probability. The result is a population estimate, not a complete census of every animal in a precisely defined lake boundary.
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A separate WKMG ClickOrlando report on 2023 surveys describes counts from surveys conducted from May through August across 55 waterways. Those survey counts are a different measure and year from the 2024 estimated populations above. For example, ClickOrlando reported 2023 survey counts of 24,678 for Lake Okeechobee, 15,404 for Lake Kissimmee, 11,881 for Lake Jesup, and 11,544 for Orange Lake. Do not combine those historical counts with the 2024 estimates.
FWC says it has monitored Alligator Management Units since the statewide alligator harvest began in 1988. The agency uses monitoring to follow population trends and help set harvest quotas. Its Alligator Data and Reports portal includes harvest summaries and historical reports, but the reviewed material does not provide a simple, continuously updated lake-by-lake ranking. The 2024 list is the latest located ranking, not a verified 2026 ranking.
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What the ranking says—and does not say
- Lake Okeechobee ranked first in estimated total population, at about 33,542 for 2024.
- Lake Kissimmee and Lake Jesup ranked second and third, respectively.
- The top ten includes individual lakes, river locations, and managed areas.
- The estimates do not show which water has the highest alligator density per acre.
- A high estimated population does not by itself establish that a place is unsafe for recreation.
Alligator safety around Florida water
FWC guidance reported by ClickOrlando is to keep a safe distance from alligators, never feed them, swim only in designated areas during daylight, and keep pets on a leash near water. These are practical precautions, not a claim that every waterway in the ranking is unsafe for every activity.
- Follow posted signs and local access rules, and swim only in designated areas during daylight.
- Keep a safe distance from alligators. Never feed, touch, approach, or harass one.
- Keep pets leashed and away from the water’s edge.
- If you see an alligator, do not assume it is the only one nearby or that the water is safe because no others are visible.
FAQ
Which lake in Florida has the most alligators?
Lake Okeechobee ranked first in the latest located list, with about 33,542 estimated alligators for 2024. USA TODAY Network – Florida reported the estimate in 2025, attributing the data to FWC.
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Where in Florida are the most alligators?
In the 2024 estimated-population ranking, Lake Okeechobee led, followed by Lake Kissimmee and Lake Jesup. The top ten also includes St. Johns River locations and managed areas.
Are these numbers exact counts?
No. They are estimated total populations, not exact counts of every alligator. The separate 2023 survey figures reported by ClickOrlando are counts from surveys and should not be treated as the same measure or year as the 2024 estimates.
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Are these alligator estimates current for 2026?
No verified 2026 statewide ranking was located in the research for this article. The latest located ranked list reports estimated populations for 2024 and was published by USA TODAY Network – Florida in 2025.
Does having the highest estimate mean a lake is the most dangerous?
No. A total-population estimate is not a measure of attack risk, human exposure, or alligator density. Follow local rules and FWC’s safety guidance wherever you are near Florida water.
