Spots in the area where you can fish from the shore.
 

I have a 94 year-old friend here in the villages. He really wants to go fishing and he says he's not gonna be around much longer (his words). He wanted to schedule a fishing trip on Harris Lake but I called some guys who do guided tours and they're worried about liability because of his age and stability on a boat, even getting in and out of it.

My next thought was to take him somewhere nearby where we could fish from shore or pier. Does anybody know of places around here? Somewhere where there's a little bit less danger of alligators (since he can't move very fast)? We'd probably either need quick access to the golf cart (in the villages) or to fish from a pier or dock (preferred).

Thanks.

My understanding (unverified) is that you can fish anywhere in Florida where there is water and 1) you don't have to cross private land to do it; and 2) there are no signs prohibiting fishing. You see it a lot in Florida; people fishing while standing on bridges, people fishing in roadside bodies of water such as ditches, canals, etc., particularly in the more southern areas of the state but around this area at times too. I'd verify this with the appropriate authorities first.

Fishing piers in TV: Lake Okahumpka rec center has one (The Village of St. Johns; 4505 Okahumpka Run). There also is a long wood walkway at the Sharon Rose Weichens nature preserve, Moyer Loop, Wildwood, FL 34785, but as that is a nature walk I don't know if fishing is allowed there or not.

Finally I see folks fishing at times in various holding ponds at TV golf courses. There would need to be public access: there is one such place on El Diablo golf course, recognizable by the aeration fountain in the middle. It is really like a small lake and people catch bass there. It abuts a street (don't know the name) that people use as the access.

Finally, your friend can fish anywhere in Florida without needing a license. He would need ID however, and follow all applicable fishing laws.

Only if he is a Florida resident. Even if he owns a home in Florida, but has a primary residence in another state, he needs a license regardless of his age.

Thanks for the info! Yeah, I checked the license thing. I'm pretty sure he's a Florida resident.

Just for future reference, I called the Lake Okahumpka rec center and they do allow fishing off the peers. The guy at the rec center said that people do catch fish there too. Thanks again. If I hit it maybe I'll come back to this thread and let people know how it went.

Lake Miona use have fishing pier beside boat ramp. A guy few years ago use to catch brim and his bird buddy (great blue heron) would stand beside him waiting for fish.

Not at his age, read the rules before you post

Explore Fishing in The Villages® Explore Fishing in The Villages(R)

Hmmm, from the Florida Fish and Wildlife website.

You do not need a freshwater fishing license if you are a Florida resident age 65 or older and you provide proof of age and residency, such as a Florida drivers license or I.D., or an optional no-cost Resident 65+ Hunting and Fishing Certificate.

It doesn’t matter if he is 65 or 105, if he isn’t a Florida resident he needs a non-resident freshwater fishing license to be legal.

You need to be a resident of Florida, over 65 , and have ID . If not, you need a license.

If find place on shore just be careful cause gators like to follow hooked fish in and try to snatch easy meal. If so don’t get your hand close to fish, move back at swift pace ready to drop the reel.

Boy, am I glad I'm not THE PEER of a fisherman:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Lake Okahumpka dock is very nice and a short trip from the parking lot but the water is very mossy/weedy. Try the dock at Everglades Recreation Center, very easy access.

I have heard Eutis has a nice sea wall in its park that has decent fishing. Restaurants, bait store close by.

Voice-to-text-apps are flawed.
Get used to it.
Lots of that going around on hear ;)