Lakes Available for Recreation?
 

My wife and I recently sold our business in Panama and are taking the plunge--we close on our house in The Villages at the end of August. We are very excited to join the community.

We are avid stand up paddle boarders and we are trying to find out if it is possible to use our paddleboards on the various lakes in The Villages. Are all of the lakes available for our favorite recreational activity? Are only some of the lakes available? We have tried to get an answer to these questions but have not heard any definitive answer. Maybe someone knows who we should contact to find out the correct answer?

Thanks--any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jon

Lake Sumter is privately owned and I believe most of the other lakes are as well. Some organizations like the kayak club and the dragon boat club can get permission to use some of the lakes for their activities.

Lake Miona/Black Lake belongs to Sumter County and there is a boat launch and picnic area a short drive outside The Villages.

There is also Lake Griffin State Park which is less than 10 minutes away and has a launch and picnic area. We go kayaking there.

However be aware that almost all these lakes have alligators in them. Some in abundance. Paddle boarders could be subject to missing arms and feet. But I guess you have those in Panama as well. I would make the 45 to 60 minute drive to the coast and use the ocean.

Thanks for the info. I wanted to make sure we didn't break any rules when we arrive. It looks like there will be plenty of places to enjoy paddling in the area without going on privately owned lakes.

I'm a native Floridian so I have been around gators most of my life. They don't bother me (except UF Gators). My wife on the other hand is not a big fan of any reptiles. We do have caimans here in Panama, but they are relatively small and I have yet to see one while paddleboarding.

Thanks again!