Lake Tarpon

{{Short description| Lake in the state of Florida, United States}}

{{Infobox body of water

| name = Lake Tarpon

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| location = Pinellas County, Florida

| coords = {{coord|28.12|-82.73|type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}

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| catchment = {{convert|52|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}

| basin_countries = United States

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| area = {{convert|2500|acre|km2|abbr=on}}

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| pushpin_map = Florida#USA

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| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Lake Tarpon in Florida, USA.

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Lake Tarpon is a freshwater lake located about {{convert|10|mi|km}} west of Tampa in Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, Florida. Lake Tarpon is the largest freshwater lake in Pinellas County with a surface area of {{convert|2534|acre|km2}}.{{cite web|url=https://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/sw/lake-tarpon|title=Lake Tarpon {{!}} FWC|website=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission|access-date=25 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806195715/https://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/sw/lake-tarpon/|archive-date=6 August 2020|url-status=live}}

Its watershed encompasses {{convert|52|sqmi|km2}}. Its two largest tributaries are South Creek and Brooker Creek.{{cite web|url=http://pinellascounty.org/Environment/pagesHTML/waterResources/wr3100.html|title=Lake Tarpon Watershed|website=www.pinellascounty.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618065314/http://www.pinellascounty.org/environment/pagesHTML/waterResources/wr3100.html |archive-date=18 June 2006|url-status=dead}}

The lake is a regional recreational destination and is renowned for its largemouth bass fishing.

Although Lake Tarpon is designated as a fishing lake, it fails to meet the EPA's standards, and is therefore listed as an impaired lake due to its excessive nutrients and resulting low dissolved oxygen levels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu/waterbodies/lakes/7084|title = Lake Tarpon {{!}} Lake Details|website=www.Pinellas.WaterAtlas.usf.edu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725071553/https://www.pinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu/waterbodies/lakes/7084|archive-date=25 July 2022|url-status=live}} The lake underwent increasing eutrophication during the 1990s, following a large algal bloom in 1987.{{cite web|url=http://laketarpon.org/Lake%20Tarpon%20Plan%20update.pdf|title=Lake Tarpon Drainage Basin Management Plan Update|first1=Scott M.|last1=Deitche|first2=Donald|last2=Hicks|date=January 2006|publisher=Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506172543/http://www.laketarpon.org/Lake%20Tarpon%20Plan%20update.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2006|url-status=live|access-date=25 July 2022}} Although initial studies determined that the lake was not polluted,{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/04/03/lake-tarpon-not-polluted-study-shows|title=Lake Tarpon not polluted, study shows|first=Sue|last=Landry|date=April 3, 1992|work=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=25 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725080745/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/04/03/lake-tarpon-not-polluted-study-shows|archive-date=25 July 2022|url-status=live}} studies in the following years noted a decline in the lake's water quality.{{cite web|url=https://www.pinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/Lake-Tarpon-SWIM-Plan-2001.pdf|title=Lake Tarpon SWIM Plan|date=July 2001|access-date=25 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725074902/https://www.pinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/Lake-Tarpon-SWIM-Plan-2001.pdf|archive-date=25 July 2022|url-status=live}}