Conway Chain

The Lake Conway Chain of Lakes is one of Orlando’s most popular lakefront communities. Similar to the Windermere/Butler Chain of Lakes and the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, the Lake Conway Chain has a rich history and features some of Central Florida’s most valuable waterfront properties.

First – a disclaimer: My family and I live on the Conway Chain, so if I sound at all biased…it’s because I am. It is arguably one of the most family-friendly lakes in Orlando, and we love it. You’ve been warned. Ha!

The Conway Chain is comprised of Lake Gatlin, Lake Conway, Big Lake Conway, and a number of canals along the way. These are what I’ll call the “official” names, but locals will often use terms like Middle Conway, South Lake Conway, and Little Lake Conway when discussing what are essentially four different pools of the two main Conway lakes. The aerial photo to the right clearly shows the four pools of the larger Conway Lakes, and if you study it you’ll see the smaller Lake Gatlin to the northwest.

The Lake Conway Chain of Lakes’ proximity to Downtown Orlando is truly unique. Homes around the Conway Chain are just minutes from Downtown, Orlando International Airport, several major hospitals, and the very popular SODO shopping and dining district.

The incorporated towns of Edgewood and Belle Isle encompass many of the lakefront homes on the Lake Conway Chain of Lakes. Both are small municipalities with dedicated police forces, but many other services are shared with the City of Orlando and Orange County.

Locals share stories of the original homesteads along Lake Conway and Lake Gatlin, many of which were set up as fish camps back in the early 1900s. Due in part to the concerted efforts of owners and civic leaders over the years, the Conway Lakes have, for the most part, remained extremely healthy, and its clear green waters remain one of the top fishing spots in the area. The lakes support a healthy fishery of largemouth bass, crappie, bream, catfish and even the occasional chain pickerel. You may also see what appear to be tailing reds along the shorelines on some mornings, but these are just some of the grass carp that have been placed in the lakes from previous hydrilla management efforts from years past.

I’ve found some holes in these lakes that are over 30’ in depth (which is relatively deep for a Central Florida lake), and the variety of bottom contours and aquatic plants make for some fantastic fishing almost year round. The Lake Conway Chain is famous among anglers for its schools of shad that congregate from late winter through early / mid spring, and many fisherman will cast net for the shad and fish live baits, catching what are typically large quantities of smaller bass (“schoolies”). Artificial surface baits that seem to do quite well are a Zara Spook, Dalton Special, and a Chug Bug. Small divers like a Rapala’s Shad Rap and a Rattle Trap have also produced for me on days of temperature extremes in the deep waters. And, of course, the good ol’ rubber worm and various crankbaits tend to be pretty reliable as well. All in all, the fishing is outstanding.

The lakes of the Conway Chain are some of the best in Orlando for watersports. Because the lakes are large and deep, and the canals that interconnect the lakes are well-maintained and navigable year round, you can almost always find good water for whatever type of activity you seek. Wakeboards, water skates, skis, and myriad of tube devices are a popular site being pulled behind boats and personal watercrafts of all shapes and sizes.

Additionally, these lakes tend to be a great social scene. Barbecues, dock parties, bonfires and sunset cruises are the norm along the white sandy shores of the Lake Conway Chain. The annual Christmas light parade is unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and the sandbar on the north lobe of the South Lake is always a good spot to tie up and relax with your favorite cold beverage while you catch up with neighbors.