Normally tranquil Lake Laguna in the Village of Mira Mesa has been been the scene of some discord thanks to a recent controversy over fishing.
Twice last week, police were called to the lake after reports of illicit fishing were received.
A resident called police on the morning of Jan. 11 when a 1998 Cadillac was spotted parked nearby and a 76-year-old man was seen fishing in the lake. The man, who lives in the Village of Silver Lake, told a police officer he had permission from a homeowner to fish in the lake, according to an incident report from the Lady Lake Police Department.
A check with Bill Elliott, head of Community Watch, indicated that as long as the fisherman has the permission of a homeowner, he can fish in the lake.
Police were called back to the lake later that same day when another man was spotted fishing. He was a 75-year-old man from the Village of De La Vista. An 82-year-old woman who lives along the lake on Ventura Drive told police she had given him permission to fish. Â
Fishing in The Villages has led to action by law enforcement in the past.
• Last year a teenager was jailed after fishing near the Sarasota Golf Course. You can read about that incident HERE
• In 2015, fishermen were cited for illegally fishing near the Edgewater Bungalows and Bridgeport at Lake Sumter. You can read more about that HERE