Waterfront community of Lake Panasoffkee offers access to The Villages
The community of Lake Panasoffkee lines the western banks of its namesake body of water, home to a mix of full-time residents and retirees who come for the winter season. Lake Panasoffkee is roughly 30 miles away from The Villages, a master-planned collection of 55-plus communities. “You get the cookie-cutter HOA-type houses,” Holland McKnight, a real estate specialist at Re/Max Premier, says about The Villages. “You can still have a bit more freedom and enjoy the nightlife, restaurants and all the stuff The Villages has going for it,” he says, regarding Lake Panasoffkee.
New constructions, late midcentury ramblers and manufactured homes
Bungalows and ranch-style homes built starting in the 1950s through the early 2000s range from $80,000 to $590,000, with prices depending on lot size and proximity to the lake. Sunrooms and lanais are popular among older homes in the area, and larger properties sometimes come with guest cabins or equestrian facilities.
Lake Panasoffkee is also home to a handful of new, Craftsman-style homes built after 2022 that fetch between $200,000 and $230,000. “They’re more popular with people who are going to be part-time residents,” McKnight says. “They’re smaller and more limited on closet space. They keep cooling costs down to make it more affordable.” Mobile and manufactured homes are common, too; prices depend on the condition of the home and its construction date, largely ranging between $50,000 and $290,000.
Fishing and boating on Lake Panasoffkee and the Outlet River
Lake Panasoffkee — the body of water — is central to recreation in the community. Residents without private docks and water access can use the Coleman Landing Boat Ramp on the southeast side of the lake, which is known for its bass and shell cracker fishing. Marsh Bend "Outlet" Park is located on the banks of the Outlet River, which flows between the lake and the Withlacoochee River. Spanish moss hangs from gnarled tree branches above the water, and kayaks glide past snowy egrets camouflaged among tall aquatic grass. Farther inland, the Lake Panasoffkee Recreation Park includes baseball diamonds, tennis courts, a soccer field, a basketball court and a skate park. Four-legged friends can play leash-free at Lake Panasoffkee Dog Park nearby.
Big Bass Grill and Catfish Johnny’s alligator, Ole Amos
Big Bass Grill serves everything from grouper sandwiches and Cajun boils to a “gator dinner” on its tiki-style, lakefront patio, where expansive water views are coupled with music on the weekends. “It’s the go-to, 100%,” McKnight says. “I can go for a couple of hours, come back home and it feels like I’ve been on a vacation or a weekend getaway.”
Catfish Johnny’s Restaurant has been around for more than 30 years, and its late founder was known to feed his alligator, Ole Amos, in front of patrons. Wings, sandwiches and fried fish are offered in a casual, wood-paneled setting with a beer tap wall. Tin Can Pam’s of Lake Panasoffkee, Family Dollar and Dollar General line County Road 470, while national chains are nearby in the communities of Bushnell and Wildwood.
B-rated schools and a range of programming at South Sumter High
Most children in the community are zoned for Lake Panasoffkee Elementary School, which scores a B-plus grade from Niche. Those who live in the northeast portion of the community may attend B-rated Wildwood Elementary School. Students from both elementary schools may come together at South Sumter Middle and High schools, both earning B grades as well. The high school offers a diverse range of programming for its students, including more than 10 Advanced Placement courses and more than 10 classes that follow the University of Cambridge International Curriculum Examinations program. It also maintains several dual enrollment programs and career technical education courses in agriculture, business, computer gaming and programming, welding and other fields.
Highway connections to Tampa, Crystal River and Orlando
Lake Panasoffkee is located south of the intersection between Interstate 75 and Florida state Route 44. The interstate travels south toward Tampa, which is about 70 miles away, while SR-44 reaches west to the coastal community of Crystal River, roughly 40 miles away. Orlando is about 60 miles from Lake Panasoffkee and can be accessed via Florida’s Turnpike, a toll route. The nearby Orlando Sanford International Airport provides direct flights across the Midwest and Eastern United States. The community is heavily car-dependent, and there are no public transportation stops in Lake Panasoffkee.
