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.
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
