Visitors

The Lake Okeechobee area, while being a sportsman's paradise, is better known as the nation's truck garden. Because of its rich black soil and tropical climate, it is the nation's winter vegetable capital. The soil also makes good pasture land, and thus the cattle industry has flourished.

In addition, Clewiston is in the heart of Florida's sugar industry. The U. S. Sugar Corporation is now the nation's largest producer of raw and refine cane sugar and one of the nation's premier producers of oranges and orange juice products.

The area continues to be one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, producing sugarcane, citrus, vegetables, and cattle. Although citrus groves are spreading rapidly, Clewiston's largest industry is sugar - and that is why Clewiston is known as "America's Sweetest Town."

Lake Okeechobee, of course, is the largest attraction. Having more than 730 square miles, it is the second largest freshwater lake in the United States. Because it offers some of the best fishing in Florida, it is acknowledged as the premier largemouth bass fishing spot in the entire world. It is also home to over 40 other species such as blue gill, catfish, and black crappie, or known to the locals as speckled perch.

The lake also offers other recreational activities such as biking, hiking, camping, picnicking, boating, nature, and bird watching. Bird watchers will find shore birds, songbirds, waterfowl, and birds of prey - including the American Bald Eagle and Osprey. These provide for some excellent photographic settings, as do the flora and exotic plants that abound in and around the lake.

Free public boat ramps and plenty of parking are available on the lakefront and on Hoover Dike Road. Clewiston hosts more than 20 professional tournaments annually - and there is still plenty of fish to go around. The lake is minutes away from anywhere in Clewiston.

Clewiston has an impressive array of recreational facilities. Recently-renovated Trinidad Park and Candy Cane Park are the perfect places for children to play and have parties. Other parks are scattered throughout the city. Civic Park along US Highway 27 is the perfect place to sit and linger, with swings along the walkways. The City also has top-notched lighted tennis courts that are free and a large municipal swimming pool with a tots' water park.

Sugarland Park is the City's premiere baseball, softball, racquetball and soccer complex. Baseball fields are available for every level of play and they are manicured to professional standards. A large pavilion with restrooms, basketball courts, shuffleboard courts, and a tot lot have been added to the park.

There's also a terrific golf course to take advantage of -- it is a championship 18-hole course located minutes away from U.S. 27 with rates you will appreciate.

If you would like to know more about lodging, dining , or fishing options in Clewiston, please contact the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce.

Any time of year, Clewiston is a great place to visit -- come see how we're building a quality community.