Hernando is situated on Lake Tsala Apopka. Shallow, heavily vegetated marshes intermingled with open water pools compose the majority of the lake. Floral City Pool, Inverness Pool, and Hernando Pool are the main segments of the lake which are separated by natural features and water control structures.

Tsala Apopka is an Indian name meaning "many waters," and there are about 50 small lakes in the "chain," many unnamed. Tsala Apopka is a natural lake chain, with only a few man-made boat trails and canals. There are dozens of islands, hundreds of miles of productive shorelines and many "finger lakes" that wind for miles.