There are a lot of lakes in Windermere FL. Those in the know immediately think of the Butler Chain of Lakes but not every lake in the Butler Chain is in Windermere. There are also a lot of lakes which are in Windermere but not members of the Chain of Lakes.
Some of the named lakes that are not among the chain are Lake Bessie, Lake Brenda, Lake Burden, Lake Buynak, Lake Caywood, Lake Caruso, Lake Clarice, Lake Crescent, Lake Cypress, Lake Mitzi, Lake Olivia, Lake Reams, Lake Rhea, Lake Roberts, Lake Roper, Lake Sawyer, Lake Sharp, Lake Smith, Lake Spar, Lake Speer, Lake Story, Lake William Davis and Lake Whitney . That is most of the major lakes but not the officially named ponds or many other locally named ponds. As you can see the Windermere FL Motto of “Among the Lakes” is actually fairly accurate. To see detailed information on the Butler Chain and its' lakes see the blue link near the bottom of this page.
Many lakefront communities have lake access and some even have an actual boat ramp for the residents. We used to launch out of our own yard and of course many people still do. Ruffians, LOL that applies to me.
As for public access that can be limited. For example, getting onto the Butler Chain can only be done at two public locations. There is no parking at the Lake Down Ramp on Conroy Windermere Road. Not to mention larger boats just shouldn’t be launched there. Many have found that out the hard way. My advice is just always launch at the ramp in RD Keene Park. The staff are awesome there and it is only $5. You can park your boat trailer there and it is easier maneuver a truck and boat trailer.
Another great alternative. Get a lakefront home and own your own dock. Once I did this my life got so much more enjoyable. My family loves it and so do the grandchildren.
The total number of lakes in The Butler Chain of Lakes is 13. Several are very small while a couple are very large. What makes them a chain is being interconnected by small canals that you can navigate or pass through in a reasonably sized boat or watercraft. If you do not have a boat you can rent one and have it delivered to the water in RD Keene Park. I have a boat but I have also rented one in the park and it worked out quite well. Plan a trip and get out there and enjoy the Windermere FL Lakes.