Villages Lakes
 

Lakes at Villages are any Swimable, boatable, fishable ??? I mean the lakes not the retention ponds.

From all the threads over time I have never heard if the lakes that are in the villages are of any use except as a view and storm water catch basin.

Are they clean? Do they smell?

They are just about all man made, or man altered to be used as retention areas. Most have gators, some have various water snakes, all have weed bottoms. Most have buried plastic liners, and little natural circulation. I do not recall seeing any without stormwater inlets.

Many are fishable and in fact are stocked by the fresh water fishing club.

Lake Sumter is one that is privately owned. To answer your question, all are clean and do not smell.

No they are NOT for swimming.

I've gone sailing on Lake Miona. They have a boat ramp and picnic tables.
You can go fishing there, too.

Sumter County, FL - Official Website - Lake Miona Access Dock

Also, as the lakes warm, Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic amoeba most commonly found in the upper layer of sediment in the bottom of lakes and ponds with mud floors, becomes a health threat. The threat of infection, although rare, increases during the summer months when the water temperature exceeds 80 degrees F.

There are plenty of well maintained pools throughout the community.

TV is surrounded by the most incredible natural springs. Rainbow Springs is one place that people swim (the water is spring water crystal clear and cold). They also rent kayaks and canoes and yes, there are alligators galore. After years living on the Ocean and avoiding Central Florida I've found this area to be a paradise full of beauty with tons of wildlife.

having played, swam, skied and fished almost daily in Centro Fla lakes from age 5 to 25 and then prob monthly for the next 30 years ..... it is a wonder I am still alive.

Sounds not nice..

Thanks for the info was just wondering.
Family had canoe and boat rentals on a lake as a kid.
I haven't been in a kayak in 40 years. they sure are lighter now mine was wood and really heavy.

There is a company called Discovery Kayaks run by a really great guy named Ryan. He has an assistant named Tony. They take small groups out kayaking on area rivers every month and they have a pretty big following in The Villages.

I have been on several of Ryan's trips and have seen manatees up very close as well as all types of water birds and, yes, even some alligators.

Check them out on DiscoveryKayaks.com.

As for lakes in The Villages - not a good idea to even think about kayaking and even worse idea to think about swimming.