Enjoy Deer Creek Village’s lakes, fishing, and wildlife.

Explore these helpful resources for tips, guidelines, and information about the fishing and wildlife in the area.

Fishing

Deer

Sandhill Cranes

Ducks & waterfowl

Deer Creek Waterways & Fishing

Our lakes and canals are beautiful community assets that support fish, birds, turtles, and other wildlife. Please help protect them by following these simple guidelines.

Catch and release only.
Waterfront residents may fish from their own property.
Non-waterfront residents may fish only from the designated public access points. (See PDF above)
Please respect private property and all No Trespassing signs.
Swimming, wading, boats, kayaks, canoes, and other watercraft are not permitted.
Vehicles are not allowed on Greenbelt areas or Valencia Water Control District easements without permission.
Water may not be taken from Deer Creek waterways for irrigation without a permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I fish if I don’t live on the water?
Please use only the designated public access points located on the 5100 & 5200 blocks of Deer Creek Drive, the 5700 block of Donnelly Circle, and the west end of the canal behind the clubhouse.

Can I walk around the lakes?
No. Most lakes and canals border private property. Please use only the designated fishing access points and respect all No Trespassing signs.

Can I swim, wade, or launch a kayak?
No. Swimming, wading, and all boats or watercraft—including kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, and motorized watercraft—are not permitted.

Living with Sandhill Cranes

Sandhill cranes are a treasured part of Deer Creek Village and are protected by Florida law. The most important thing you can do is never feed them. Feeding cranes causes them to lose their natural fear of people, become aggressive, and creates safety concerns for both people and wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I feed the sandhill cranes?
No. Feeding sandhill cranes is illegal and harmful. It teaches them to associate people with food, which can lead to aggressive behavior.

What should I do if a crane approaches me?
Help keep cranes wild by encouraging them to move away. Wave your arms, clap your hands, make loud noises, or spray the adult birds with a strong stream of water from a hose if necessary.

What if I see someone feeding the cranes?
Please report illegal feeding to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922.

Living with White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer are a valued part of Florida’s wildlife and are commonly seen in Deer Creek Village, especially at dawn and dusk. Please help keep them wild by never feeding them. Feeding deer can cause them to lose their natural fear of people, become aggressive, and damage landscaping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I feed the deer?
No. Please do not feed deer or leave out food that may attract them. Feeding wildlife is harmful and can lead to conflicts with people and pets and attracts coyotes and raccoons.

What should I do if I find a fawn alone?
Leave it alone. The mother is usually nearby and will return. Avoid touching or approaching young fawns.

How can I keep deer out of my yard or garden?
Choose deer-resistant plants, install fencing where practical, or use motion-activated sprinklers or deer repellents to discourage browsing.

Living with Waterfowl

Canada geese, ducks, and other waterfowl are an important part of our natural environment. The best way to prevent conflicts is never feed them. Feeding encourages birds to gather in large numbers, lose their natural fear of people, become aggressive, damage lawns, and leave droppings that can create health and safety concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I feed the ducks or geese?
No. Please do not feed waterfowl. They can find their own food, and feeding them often creates nuisance and safety problems.

How can I discourage geese from my property?
Avoid feeding them, keep a buffer of taller vegetation near the water’s edge, and use fences or other barriers to discourage birds from walking onto lawns.

Can I move nests or harm geese?
No. Ducks, geese, and other native waterfowl are protected by federal and state laws. Their nests and eggs may not be disturbed except as allowed by law.