Lake Sumpter questions

[ElDiabloJoe]

A couple questions about Lake Sumter. The lake itself. How deep is it (on average and at its greatest depth), and are there gators in it. I ask the last question because I watched a bunch of loons or cormorants swimming around in it this morning, and thought, "Geez, brave bunch of little fellas."

When there is heavy heavy rain, do the anchored out little row boats fill up/sink?

Any ideas?

[John-US]

A couple questions about Lake Sumpter. The lake itself. How deep is it (on average and at its greatest depth), and are there gators in it. I ask the last question because I watched a bunch of loons or cormorants swimming around in it this morning, and thought, "Geez, brave bunch of little fellas."

Any ideas?

Take the nature pontoon boat ride, its 25 per person max 4 and it's a load of great info. It is deep in some parts. and those birds are natures cheeseburgers to a gator.

FYI- no P in SUMTER :icon_wink:

[Bizdoc]

As Gracie likes to point out (she's probaby tired of doing). There is no P in Lake Sumter.

Yes, gators live in Lake Sumter. So do all sorts of things.

[Stu from NYC]

Let me get a tape and will let you know. Yes there are gators in it.

[dewilson58]

FYI- no P in SUMTER :icon_wink:

Gator pee.

[Michael G.]

Let me get a tape and will let you know. Yes there are gators in it.


I'm wondering if they remove the alligators in TV when they get a certain size.

My wife's niece lives in a very exclusive subdivision near Jacksonville, and they
have a small lake with alligators, but they remove them when they get 4' or less.

[davem4616]

I'm wondering if they remove the alligators in TV when they get a certain size.

My wife's niece lives in a very exclusive subdivision near Jacksonville, and they
have a small lake with alligators, but they remove them when they get 4' or less.



we're not that exclusive....if we were, the amenity fee would be much, much higher

[Decadeofdave]

The boats have scupers on the transom to allow the water to drain. The Captain.

[LuvtheVillages]

I'm wondering if they remove the alligators in TV when they get a certain size.

My wife's niece lives in a very exclusive subdivision near Jacksonville, and they
have a small lake with alligators, but they remove them when they get 4' or less.

They do not generally remove gators when they reach a specific size. Instead, they are removed when they become too friendly with people. Do Not Feed the Gators!

Removal means calling a hunter. The hunter's only pay comes from selling the meat and hide.

Not long ago, a popular gator that had a name (Larry?) got large and was too unafraid of people. Villagers took their grandkids to throw food to him. He was removed to a gator park to live out his life in captivity. Other gators are not so lucky.

[ElDiabloJoe]

I took the boat ride today. Yes, the gator's name was Larry. It is the ONLY gator taken alive from Sumter. The rest usually end up washed up on a bank dead and are removed. The birds are harder for the gators to catch than fish, so they usually go for the fish. Catfish, Big mouth bass, and wild tilapia. This time of year (according to the boat ride's First Mate) they are more or less dormant. Don't know if I buy that, it's not like the lake freezes. Average depth is 15 feet but there are deeper points. Anyhow, interesting stuff.

[Bilyclub]

You can correct the wrong spelling in your title be going advanced when editing.

[mrrmauu]

A couple questions about Lake Sumter. The lake itself. How deep is it (on average and at its greatest depth), and are there gators in it. I ask the last question because I watched a bunch of loons or cormorants swimming around in it this morning, and thought, "Geez, brave bunch of little fellas."

When there is heavy heavy rain, do the anchored out little row boats fill up/sink?

Any ideas?

Came for the “there is no P in Sumter” posts, left satisfied.

[thevillages2013]

Well, Larry the alligator was removed a couple of years ago from a pond adjacent to the rec trail leading to Brownwood. That is in Sumter co but not Lake Sumter. You can see gators in Lake Sumter during Spring break when the grandkids are here and Grandma and Grandpa take them on the boardwalk to feed them chicken fingers

[Kmoffett]

In Florida, when you see a lake, expect a gator.

[ThirdOfFive]

I'm wondering if they remove the alligators in TV when they get a certain size.

My wife's niece lives in a very exclusive subdivision near Jacksonville, and they
have a small lake with alligators, but they remove them when they get 4' or less.
How do they get 'em to hold still long enough to measure?

[Dlbonivich]

Removal is a myth, if they take a gator it becomes gator bites for lunch. They do not remove unless they become a nuisance. If you stay away they stay away. One gator from here that had celebrity status did go to a refuge.

[JwizChick]

It’s actually “Cherry Lake”… look at any map. And not only is there no “P” in Sumter, there is also no “N”. I hear so many people call it “Sumpner”. When I politely tell them “It’s ‘Sumter’”, they reply, “That’s what I said, ‘Sumpner’”. They do not hear the difference. They probably spell it correctly, just don’t pronounce it correctly.

[Stu from NYC]

How do they get 'em to hold still long enough to measure?

carefully

[ElDiabloJoe]

It’s actually “Cherry Lake”… look at any map. And not only is there no “P” in Sumter, there is also no “N”. I hear so many people call it “Sumpner”. When I politely tell them “It’s ‘Sumter’”, they reply, “That’s what I said, ‘Sumpner’”. They do not hear the difference. They probably spell it correctly, just don’t pronounce it correctly.

Is that kinda like Libary, axe, and bambulance?

[GOLFER54]

One way to find out if there are gators in the. Lake go for a swim.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Follow up question, who are the various boats on the lake named after? Morse grandchildren maybe?

[Windguy]

Be careful about what you hear on the boat rides. I’ve gone several times and heard a different set of entertaining lies on each trip. Talk of pirates was a fun one.

[Skip]

It’s actually “Cherry Lake”… look at any map...

You are correct! Before LSL was built it was Cherry Lake, still is. Guess the developer didn't like the sound of "Cherry Lake Landing" so they gave it their own name when they enlarged the lake. I remember when they sunk that tug in the lake and errected the beacon tower at the "Lewis Lighthouse Restaurant".

Skip

[Windguy]

How do they get 'em to hold still long enough to measure?

I’ve never tested it myself, but a river guide on the St. John’s told me the distance between the nose and eyes is 1/12th the length. So six inches says the gator is six feet long.

[MandoMan]

It’s actually “Cherry Lake”… look at any map. And not only is there no “P” in Sumter, there is also no “N”. I hear so many people call it “Sumpner”. When I politely tell them “It’s ‘Sumter’”, they reply, “That’s what I said, ‘Sumpner’”. They do not hear the difference. They probably spell it correctly, just don’t pronounce it correctly.

Another mispronunciation is when people refer to the CAL-va-ry when they mean CAV-al-ry. I heard that several times last week on an episode of “Bones”. It’s annoying.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Be careful about what you hear on the boat rides. I’ve gone several times and heard a different set of entertaining lies on each trip. Talk of pirates was a fun one.
Lol, I've been on the Jungle Cruise at Disney (Anaheim) enough times to know the patter by heart. "Oh no, watch out for the hippo, Bang!"

[Nell57]

Last week I went out with a naturalist for a day. He related that every inch from about to eye = one foot in length.

[JMintzer]

Is that kinda like Libary, axe, and bambulance?

"Bambulance"? That's a new one! :1rotfl:

[kendi]

There are lots and lots of gators in Lake Sumter according to the wildlife guy that taught a class I took. He said to never put your child on the railing cause a gator can jump high enough to grab it. I have never seen a gator there. But apparently many are on the other side and can be seen during the boat tour.

[PurePeach]

I'm wondering if they remove the alligators in TV when they get a certain size.

My wife's niece lives in a very exclusive subdivision near Jacksonville, and they
have a small lake with alligators, but they remove them when they get 4' or less.
So they only want big gators??? :shocked: I’d rather have the little ones they remove, if I have to have gators.

[Almanurse1]

One came right up to my foot on the dock when the water was high last spring.

[jack.hunter00@yahoo.com]

You should always think there are gators in every body of water in Fl.

[Almanurse1]

You should always think there are gators in every body of water in Fl.

I guess it was September, not April. After the big rains. Small one here but we’ve seen larger near the dock than this.

[Stu from NYC]

So they only want big gators??? :shocked: I’d rather have the little ones they remove, if I have to have gators.

little ones grow up to become big ones

[akin1]

Just turn the gator over and rub his tummy. Then you can measure.

[MrFlorida]

This is Florida, even the potholes have gators.

[Rodneysblue]

we're not that exclusive....if we were, the amenity fee would be much, much higher

👍🏼🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Rodneysblue]

How do they get 'em to hold still long enough to measure?

They ask nicely.🤣

[Rodneysblue]

It’s actually “Cherry Lake”… look at any map. And not only is there no “P” in Sumter, there is also no “N”. I hear so many people call it “Sumpner”. When I politely tell them “It’s ‘Sumter’”, they reply, “That’s what I said, ‘Sumpner’”. They do not hear the difference. They probably spell it correctly, just don’t pronounce it correctly.

Different dielectrics.

[manaboutown]

Another mispronunciation is when people refer to the CAL-va-ry when they mean CAV-al-ry. I heard that several times last week on an episode of “Bones”. It’s annoying.

Relater for Realtor, ekcetra for etcetera, Febuary for February, Chimblee for chimney, expresso for espresso, Tee-a-juana for Tijuana come to mind as well.

[zmarkp]

May and June is mating season for gators so they'll be actively looking for love. Couple years ago there were two large gators in Lake Sumter who lived at opposite ends of the lake, but I haven't seen them lately. Someone living on the lake said you'll know when the eggs hatch by the large number of raptors appearing overhead hoping to snack on the little fellas.

[Stu from NYC]

May and June is mating season for gators so they'll be actively looking for love. Couple years ago there were two large gators in Lake Sumter who lived at opposite ends of the lake, but I haven't seen them lately. Someone living on the lake said you'll know when the eggs hatch by the large number of raptors appearing overhead hoping to snack on the little fellas.

Not to mention they are good sauteed in a lot of garlic:)

[Packer Fan]

Is that kinda like Libary, axe, and bambulance?

Possibly the worst mispronunciation in the English Langauge-
"I need to Axe you a question". There is not faster way to sound
uneducated than that. It isn't even close to Ask.

Sumter with a P is pretty common though, and being a Name rather than an actual standard word it is not really surprising.

[DAVES]

I'm wondering if they remove the alligators in TV when they get a certain size.

My wife's niece lives in a very exclusive subdivision near Jacksonville, and they
have a small lake with alligators, but they remove them when they get 4' or less.

Far as alligators, their brain is about the size of a pea. It's deepest thoughts are EAT and REPRODUCE. On land they are shockingly fast. In the water they are faster than that.
Their bite is measured in tons. A four foot alligator can and will give people quite a bite.

[thevillages2013]

"Bambulance"? That's a new one! :1rotfl:

Google “I need a bambulance” but listen to the uncut version

[thevillages2013]

I'm wondering if they remove the alligators in TV when they get a certain size.

My wife's niece lives in a very exclusive subdivision near Jacksonville, and they
have a small lake with alligators, but they remove them when they get 4' or less.

Do gators shrink in Jacksonville rather than grow?

[thevillages2013]

A couple questions about Lake Sumter. The lake itself. How deep is it (on average and at its greatest depth), and are there gators in it. I ask the last question because I watched a bunch of loons or cormorants swimming around in it this morning, and thought, "Geez, brave bunch of little fellas."

When there is heavy heavy rain, do the anchored out little row boats fill up/sink?

Any ideas?

You misspelled the title so you would get more responses. I am on to you:boom:

[thevillages2013]

Follow up question, who are the various boats on the lake named after? Morse grandchildren maybe?

Should have axed that question when you went on the ferry tour:icon_wink:

[JMintzer]

Google “I need a bambulance” but listen to the uncut version

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Smalley]

Last week I went out with a naturalist for a day. He related that every inch from about to eye = one foot in length.

How did you arrange to spend a day with a naturalist. That sounds so interesting!

[Rsenholzi]

The lake is about 12 ft deep according to the tours. There are plenty of gators in it - big and small. It is spring fed so there are plenty of fish to feed them - tilapia, bass, etc. The birds seem to co-exist with the gators. You will see that in many of the ponds. Small children and animals should be kept away from the edge as gators move quickly when hungry - as fast as 20 mph. They should not be given people food as that encourages them to approach without fear. When that happens , they are considered nuisance animals and then they are destroyed. They only reason Larry was taken away was the public loved him and were up in arms when they were going to send in a hunter. Many have been killed because of this. Grandchildren should not be encouraged to feed them and taught the environmentally correct way by encouraging them to view these wonderful animals from afar.

[fdpaq0580]

How do they get 'em to hold still long enough to measure?

Tequila shots.

[Madelaine Amee]

Possibly the worst mispronunciation in the English Langauge-
"I need to Axe you a question". There is not faster way to sound
uneducated than that. It isn't even close to Ask.

Sumter with a P is pretty common though, and being a Name rather than an actual standard word it is not really surprising.

I think you meant the English Language :icon_wink:

[Rodneysblue]

How do they get 'em to hold still long enough to measure?

🤣😂🤣😂

[LynneH]

Hi Grandparents, instead of having your grandkids feed our local wild gators, take them to Gator Land. They will see gators of every imaginable size, plus flamingos and other animals native to Florida.

[Rodneysblue]

Should have axed that question when you went on the ferry tour:icon_wink:

They would have chopped it up anyway. 🤣

[Bilyclub]

A couple questions about Lake Sumter. The lake itself. How deep is it (on average and at its greatest depth), and are there gators in it. I ask the last question because I watched a bunch of loons or cormorants swimming around in it this morning, and thought, "Geez, brave bunch of little fellas."

When there is heavy heavy rain, do the anchored out little row boats fill up/sink?

Any ideas?

Fix the title... That P is driving me nuts...

[DaleDivine]

Possibly the worst mispronunciation in the English Langauge-
"I need to Axe you a question". There is not faster way to sound
uneducated than that. It isn't even close to Ask.

Sumter with a P is pretty common though, and being a Name rather than an actual standard word it is not really surprising.

My mother's maiden name was SUMPTER. Great Great grandfather was from South Carolina and a member of the Cherokee Tribe.

I think a lot of words like axe instead of ask is referred to as Ebonics.

:ohdear::ohdear:

[DaleDivine]

I took the boat ride today. Yes, the gator's name was Larry. It is the ONLY gator taken alive from Sumter. The rest usually end up washed up on a bank dead and are removed. The birds are harder for the gators to catch than fish, so they usually go for the fish. Catfish, Big mouth bass, and wild tilapia. This time of year (according to the boat ride's First Mate) they are more or less dormant. Don't know if I buy that, it's not like the lake freezes. Average depth is 15 feet but there are deeper points. Anyhow, interesting stuff.

I've seen them chomping on some healthy sized turtles as well.
:coolsmiley:

[DaleDivine]

One came right up to my foot on the dock when the water was high last spring.

We've gone on the boat tour a couple of times and the men working the boarding station will hit paddles on the water and gators will come swimming over to investigate.
:coolsmiley::coolsmiley:

[Jimandpud]

Well, Larry the alligator was removed a couple of years ago from a pond adjacent to the rec trail leading to Brownwood. That is in Sumter co but not Lake Sumter. You can see gators in Lake Sumter during Spring break when the grandkids are here and Grandma and Grandpa take them on the boardwalk to feed them chicken fingers

You are not suppose to feed the Gators. They become unafraid of people and it makes them dangerous!!

[bagboy]

You are not suppose to feed the Gators. They become unafraid of people and it makes them dangerous!!

Not to mention it's a misdemeanor in Florida to feed them.

[Geodyssey]

My mother's maiden name was SUMPTER. Great Great grandfather was from South Carolina and a member of the Cherokee Tribe.

I think a lot of words like axe instead of ask is referred to as Ebonics.

:ohdear::ohdear:

Nothing more American than Ebonics.

[clossonjunk]

Possibly the worst mispronunciation in the English Langauge-
"I need to Axe you a question". There is not faster way to sound
uneducated than that. It isn't even close to Ask.

Sumter with a P is pretty common though, and being a Name rather than an actual standard word it is not really surprising.



Axe is coming from aks. So, it's closer than you think.

The real disgrace is skreet. "I am going across the skreet to aks the neighbor a question."

[thevillages2013]

You are not suppose to feed the Gators. They become unafraid of people and it makes them dangerous!!

Dude, relax I didn’t feed them just something I have observed at Sumter not Sumpter not Sumner Landing