Eastern Lake - swimming?

[shag]

Is Eastern Lake safe for swimming for humans and/or dogs? Staying there for a week & bringing my dog. He loves to swim but don't want him in there if there is a threat of alligators or anything else dangerous. Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[kitlit]

No more of a danger than in any of the other lakes... That being said, I assume you're staying on the south end of the lake, which is much busier than the north end. The northern-most part of the lake has quite a bit of dense marsh where gators and other critters feel safest, and most at home.

I live on Eastern Lake and, from time to time, we've seen alligators. It's their lake, too. Just be watchful, and I don't think you'll have any problems.

 

[Caroling]

Is Eastern Lake safe for swimming for humans and/or dogs?

I've seen jellyfish in the inoutfall sometimes. Some sting. On the other hand, DEP says keep pets off the beach (I read that sometime last week in information about the beach). There are birds and other wildlife that live here too that are threatened by domesticated animals.

 

[TreeFrog]

I've seen jellyfish in the inoutfall sometimes. Some sting. On the other hand, DEP says keep pets off the beach (I read that sometime last week in information about the beach). There are birds and other wildlife that live here too that are threatened by domesticated animals.

Just last week, I saw someone's dog running amok on the beach, chasing all the sanderlings that were trying to feed on a newly-formed sandbar.

Don't forget, it's actually illegal to take your dog to the beach, unless you have a permit.

 

[Caroling]

Just last week, I saw someone's dog running amok on the beach, chasing all the sanderlings that were trying to feed on a newly-formed sandbar.

Don't forget, it's actually illegal to take your dog to the beach, unless you have a permit.

I have felt sorry for great blue herons trying to get breakfast before all the scary tourists come and then some dog thinks it would be fun to play chase. Dog is fed at home but heron has only the luck of the catch outdoors.

The question I had this morning was put by a nearby property owner with dog on Deer Lake State Park beach. The signs say something like "no pets allowed". He claimed that the law allows dog walking up to the high water line. I don't know how to check on that.

 

[seagrover]

Talked to someone from the Forestry Service and he says that there is so much bacteria in the lakes and really not good for doggie ears. Milly no longer swims in Western Lake due to this - or any lake around here. Labs have a tendency to have bad ears anyway.

 

[SlowMovin]

For all practical purposes you can assume that any body of water you see in Florida has a gator in it. And snakes. And if it is brackish, it may well have a bull shark.

I have a friend (no, I won't mention names) who shot a shark in Eastern Lake about 10 or 12 years ago. And he says it wasn't a little one.

 

[croixbum]

I have felt sorry for great blue herons trying to get breakfast before all the scary tourists come and then some dog thinks it would be fun to play chase. Dog is fed at home but heron has only the luck of the catch outdoors.

The question I had this morning was put by a nearby property owner with dog on Deer Lake State Park beach. The signs say something like "no pets allowed". He claimed that the law allows dog walking up to the high water line. I don't know how to check on that.

Scary tourists, what are the characteristics.

 

[cheesehead]

A 6ft gator was pulled about 3 yrs ago from the lake.

 

[scooterbug44]

Dogs are only allowed on the beach with permits, on leashes, and during certain hours. The MHWL does not apply to dogs, only humans.

I swim in Eastern Lake, but do so near the outfall - think the further away from there one gets, the higher the likelihood of meeting a gator or huge snake (which is also why I do not venture north of the bridge in a small craft).