Can I fish in The Villages?
With well over 100 bodies of water and a short drive to the Gulf or large freshwater lakes, The Villages, FL is a fisherman's paradise! But can I fish in the pond or lake down the street? Keep reading to find out all you need to know to make fishing a part of YOUR retirement.
Yes, fishing is permitted in almost all bodies of water in The Villages. With over 100 retention ponds and lakes, you are sure to find a great spot. Please note that the largest lake in The Villages, Lake Sumter, is off limits to fishing. Catch and release is encouraged. Large mouth bass, bluegill, and bow fin are the most common fish found in and surrounding The Villages. Is a fishing license needed? No, a license is not needed if you are over 65 and a full-time Florida resident. Anyone else between 16 and 64 needs a fishing license. Once you get to The Villages, check out The Village's Freshwater Fishing Club. They even have a rod loaner program if you decide to take up fishing in your retirement. We can fish year round here but you need to be aware that all ponds and lakes are home to the Florida alligator and even large snakes. Be aware of your surroundings and leave small dogs at home. There are also plenty of fishing charter opportunities within a short drive from The Villages, both salt water and fresh water. "You get a line and I'll get a poll, darling"...
Many fisherpeople in The Villages, take their golf cart, pole and tackle to their closest large retention pond to fish. Some ponds have more fish than others. Word-of-mouth and fishing clubs are the best place to start. Fish bite all year round here in Florida. If you want to get out and do some serious fishing, charters are the answer. There are so many freshwater and saltwater fishing charters from near-by Lake Panasoffkee to the Gulf or the Atlantic! Fishing charters can be pricey but everything is included; poles, bait, captain, etc. Some will even clean the fish for you! Another type of charter that you may not have thought of, is a Scalloping charter in the Gulf! Snorkeling in 4-6 foot waters, collecting scallops into net bags, can be a lot of fun.