Shore Fishing

Changes Coming to Deer Prairie Creek

A long-time favorite launch of ours and one we tried for over a decade to keep off the radar to preserve its wild nature is being “upgraded” and changed. It won’t be the primitive, natural area we loved and tried to protect. Instead, a new pedestrian bridge, ADA kayak launch platform, and an enlarged fishing pier will bring a more developed feel here. We were granted a sneak preview of the coming changes that should be available for all to enjoy by mid-March, 2023. Until then, heavy equipment and construction make the closure necessary for the safety of the public.

Parking is a major consideration to accommodate the anticipated popularity of this new and improved facility. A new parking area near the lower launch is designed to accommodate 10 vehicles as well as 2 longer trailer spots. In the main lot, parking has been expanded to 26 vehicle spots with 3 additional drive-thru trailer spaces. If all of these spots are filled, upwards of 30 kayaks could be floating on this little creek previously loved for its pristine solitude, which is not available at any other kayak launch in the area.

One of the most obvious changes is the new pedestrian bridge across the outlet of the main lake above the spillway. This bridge will make access to the northern part of the preserve easier and drier for those who want to hike into this area. Wide enough for vehicles, it is structurally limited to the lighter loads expected from non-vehicular use. Bollards will be installed to help prevent vehicles from crossing this bridge and collapsing it. The bridge will facilitate access not only by hikers and bikers, but also make it easier for bad actors too. All of us who value and respect this preserve should be alert for suspicious activities in this newly opened area.  

Another “improvement” is a full-fledged fishing pier in the location of the old pier and extending out into the lake. It will also be a popular alligator viewing platform. The workers we saw during our visit drew the attention of several alligators by dipping buckets of water from the lake for construction use. Any commotion sounds like a dinner bell to these primitive creatures. An angler landing a fish will surely get their attention. With the ADA cutouts that lower the railing in several places, it will be possible to bring a chair to the pier and enjoy the scenery from a seated level. We hope this pier will not become an alligator feeding platform and create aggressive gators that will endanger kayakers.

The new ADA kayak and canoe launch will be the change most kayakers will have to deal with. This one uses the same floating dock concept with sloped ramp and two launch slots like the one at Senator Paul B. Johnson Park on US 41. Unlike the PBJ launch, this structure shaped like a “T”, may not require quite the number of right angle turns to hit the slot.  Still, it will still be a challenge for even a non-disabled kayaker to use this structure. The slots and ramp are narrow, and the angles involved will make it difficult to line a kayak up with the slots.  During landing the sloped ramp stops the bow of the kayak before the kayaker can reach the railings provided for pulling themselves up the ramp and into the slot. Getting in a kayak will require lowering oneself into the kayak from a standing position and crawling to get out, which is more difficult than getting in or out from a seated position while in ankle deep water. As with the Paul B. Johnson ADA launch, we suspect this one will also be little used as kayakers find alternative launch spots nearby.

New picnic shelters complete the upgrade and are connected by concrete walkways that replace the pavers previously used. You’ll also see more fences to restrict access to sensitive shoreline areas. Riprap has been imported to shore-up areas along the bank suffering from erosion caused by our recent Hurricane Ian. The old parking area went underwater during Ian, and we are interested to see how the upgrades weather big storms.  

So, prepare for the changes you will encounter on your next visit to Deer Prairie Creek. All things change and evolve but manmade changes can occur shockingly fast. Let’s hope the folks at Sarasota Parks and Recreation are as dedicated to preserving the pristine feel of Deer Prairie Creek Preserve as they are to expanding access. It is difficult to manage an area like this in the face of ever-increasing population pressures. We hope the improved access to this small, pristine resource also includes a plan to conserve the beauty and solitude that visitors come here for.  Thoughts and prayers for Deer Prairie Creek appreciated.

On Saturday, February 11, Les and Kimball will be at the Annual Cracker Fair from 10am to 4pm. Stop by their booth to get your signed Angler’s pocket Guides for Southwest Florida.

Here we go Again!

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, we will be signing our waterproof angling guides for SWFL at the Cracker Fair in Pioneer Plaza in Englewood on Dearborn Avenue. The hours are 10 AM to 4 PM. Stop by our booth to get  your signed Angler’s Pocket Guides for Southwest Florida.

*Angler’s Pocket Guide to Shore Fishing Southwest Florida- Longboat Key to Boca Grande

*Angler’s Pocket Guide to Kayak Fishing Southwest Florida-Sarasota Bay to Pine Island. See you there! Les and Kimball.