Rainberry Lake & Wildlife
From the Lake Board
Ongoing Efforts Towards Lake Restoration - Our contractor - Lake and Wetlands - periodically installs beneficial plants along the shore to create a littoral shelf. The varieties of plants include: Golden Canna - draws Brazilian Skipper butterflies and is a food source for birds. Southern Blue Flag which blooms in May - attracts bees & humming-birds, Soft stem Bulrush - great habitat for waterfowl and fish.
We also periodically stock the lake with Florida large mouth bass, bluegill, red-eared sunfish, and a very large number of mosquito fish. The latter are a natural way to help control mosquitos, midges, and mayfly larvae. Introducing new fish replenishes the gene pool and bolsters the population.
Important Reminders to people who use Rainberry Lake: Boaters remember that the entire lake and canal is a NO WAKE ZONE. Fisherman, remember that the lake is CATCH & RELEASE, except for the invasive species (see above)
The Lake Board has it's own website. Please click here to visit and learn more about our lake.
PLEASE REPORT- bad neighbors who don't respect the rules. Kathy (email lake@rainberryvillas.com)
Ongoing Efforts Towards Lake Restoration - Our contractor - Lake and Wetlands - periodically installs beneficial plants along the shore to create a littoral shelf. The varieties of plants include: Golden Canna - draws Brazilian Skipper butterflies and is a food source for birds. Southern Blue Flag which blooms in May - attracts bees & humming-birds, Soft stem Bulrush - great habitat for waterfowl and fish.
We also periodically stock the lake with Florida large mouth bass, bluegill, red-eared sunfish, and a very large number of mosquito fish. The latter are a natural way to help control mosquitos, midges, and mayfly larvae. Introducing new fish replenishes the gene pool and bolsters the population.
Important Reminders to people who use Rainberry Lake: Boaters remember that the entire lake and canal is a NO WAKE ZONE. Fisherman, remember that the lake is CATCH & RELEASE, except for the invasive species (see above)
The Lake Board has it's own website. Please click here to visit and learn more about our lake.
PLEASE REPORT- bad neighbors who don't respect the rules. Kathy (email lake@rainberryvillas.com)
Boating - Rainberry Villas is located on Rainberry Lake. The lake is approximately six-tenths of a mile long (NS) and approximately 275 feet wide (EW) at the widest point. The north end of the lake connects to a canal through a motorized gate and via the canals a boat can navigate to Lake Ida and Lake Eden.
Boat Docks - Resident properties that front Rainberry Lake can have a dedicated boat dock. Homes not fronting the Lake can request a dock assignment on the green-speace Common Area. Docks must be built according to a specific design which can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.
Boat Ramp - We do NOT have a boat ramp in Rainberry Villas. There is a public boat ramp in Lake Ida Park and once launched in Lake Ida, a boat may navigate to Rainberry Lake via the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) canal and our clicker-operated motorized gate.
Boat Limitations - 19 feet in length (dock limitation), ? ft. wide & ? ft. high (gate limitation). Note that 'height' is dependent upon the water level in the lake.
Boating Speed - Rainberry Lake and canals are entirely "no-wake". Therefore, water skiing is prohibited. Jet skis may be used on the lake but only at slow-speed (5mph) navigating to and from Lake Ida where they may be operated at speed.
Fishing - Our Lake boasts a plethora of fish species such as Gar, Sunfish, Catfish, Large Mouth Bass, Peacock Bass, and Snakeheads to name a few. Rainberry Lake is 'catch and release' but some of the fish species are consider 'invasive' and should not be 'released'. These invasive fish are very bad for the health of our lake but surprisingly, they are really good to eat. More than 100 tests of our lake water have determined that fish caught in Rainberry Lake are as good as any to eat. This is a spring-fed lake.
In order of threat to the lake, the species are (pictures below are in the same order):
Clown Knifefish
Mayan Cichlid
Spotted Tilapia
Blue Tilapia
Walking Catfish
Bullseye Snakehead
Boat Docks - Resident properties that front Rainberry Lake can have a dedicated boat dock. Homes not fronting the Lake can request a dock assignment on the green-speace Common Area. Docks must be built according to a specific design which can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.
Boat Ramp - We do NOT have a boat ramp in Rainberry Villas. There is a public boat ramp in Lake Ida Park and once launched in Lake Ida, a boat may navigate to Rainberry Lake via the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) canal and our clicker-operated motorized gate.
Boat Limitations - 19 feet in length (dock limitation), ? ft. wide & ? ft. high (gate limitation). Note that 'height' is dependent upon the water level in the lake.
Boating Speed - Rainberry Lake and canals are entirely "no-wake". Therefore, water skiing is prohibited. Jet skis may be used on the lake but only at slow-speed (5mph) navigating to and from Lake Ida where they may be operated at speed.
Fishing - Our Lake boasts a plethora of fish species such as Gar, Sunfish, Catfish, Large Mouth Bass, Peacock Bass, and Snakeheads to name a few. Rainberry Lake is 'catch and release' but some of the fish species are consider 'invasive' and should not be 'released'. These invasive fish are very bad for the health of our lake but surprisingly, they are really good to eat. More than 100 tests of our lake water have determined that fish caught in Rainberry Lake are as good as any to eat. This is a spring-fed lake.
In order of threat to the lake, the species are (pictures below are in the same order):
Clown Knifefish
Mayan Cichlid
Spotted Tilapia
Blue Tilapia
Walking Catfish
Bullseye Snakehead
After heavy Rains the lake water level may rise Boat owners should keep that in mind when tying their boat to the dock.
The Boat Gate is opened with a Wireless Remote to navigate to the canal, Lake Ida and Lake Eden. Residents with a boat can obtain a Remote from Bob Smulik at (561) 266-0042
Snakes - Coral Snake - Remember this "Red touches Yellow - Kill a Fellow, Red touches Black, Won't Kill Jack". THE CORAL SNAKE IS DEADLY POISONESS. While not known to be aggressive, it will bite if threatened. Also, if the snake has a black nose, it's a Coral Snake. That's a good hint.
"Red touches Black" refers to a Scarlet King Snake which looks a lot like a Coral Snake but is harmless. We also have a lot of Black or Rat snakes which eat the mice and rats so please don't kill them.
Coral Snake - "Red touches Black"
Bufo Toads - (aka Cane Toad, Marine Toad or Giant Toad) This invasive species is the largest of the toads/frogs in Florida and are very common in our area. They tend to hide behind garbage cans or garden hoses and curious dogs or cats will go after them. When this happens the toad secretes a poison from glands on the back of its head which if ingested causes pets to have symptoms including drooling, head-shaking, crying, loss of coordination, and, in more serious cases, convulsions. The poison is a neurotoxin which can also affect the pets respiratory and cardiac function leading to death.
The dog's (or cat's) gums often turn red, an indicator used by veterinarians to distinguish toad poisoning from epilepsy. For this reason, pet owners should be familiar with their pet's normal gum color. Treatment: If you suspect toad poisoning, get a hose and run water in the side of the dog's/cat's mouth, pointing the animal's head downward so water isn't swallowed. Rub the gums and mouth to remove the toxin. This treatment is usually successful, but call your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian may further treat your pet's symptoms by putting him on fluids, giving him medications to calm any seizures, tremors, regulate heart rate and breathing. Your pet may also be given oxygen.
The dog's (or cat's) gums often turn red, an indicator used by veterinarians to distinguish toad poisoning from epilepsy. For this reason, pet owners should be familiar with their pet's normal gum color. Treatment: If you suspect toad poisoning, get a hose and run water in the side of the dog's/cat's mouth, pointing the animal's head downward so water isn't swallowed. Rub the gums and mouth to remove the toxin. This treatment is usually successful, but call your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian may further treat your pet's symptoms by putting him on fluids, giving him medications to calm any seizures, tremors, regulate heart rate and breathing. Your pet may also be given oxygen.
Bufo, Cane or Giant Toad
If you see a Bufo in the community, please pick it up with a bag and properly dispose of it. Remember that they are invasive and they kill the other indigenous, helpful toads and frogs.
For more information click on this link: http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/wildlife_info/frogstoads/bufo_marinus.php
For more information click on this link: http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/wildlife_info/frogstoads/bufo_marinus.php
If you're a fisherman and you don't want to eat the fish, please do NOT release any of these invasive species back into the lake, Instead, throw them on the bank and the birds will eat them in no time. Some of these fish are very unique and fun to catch but in time they will rid our lake of the beneficial Native Florida fish that we stock each year.
Boat / Trailer Parking - Boats and boat trailers may NOT be parked in driveways or on the streets of Rainberry Villas. Boats and trailers may be parked in the residents garage or, if possible, in the rear yard provided they are not visible from outside the yard. Also, boats and trailers may be temporarily parked for less than 72 hours per month in the parking lot next to the Guard Shack. Boat / trailer owner must register with the guard. If none of these options are possible, we suggest the boat/trailer owner rent storage from one of the local storage yards in the area.
Swimming - It is not uncommon to see an alligator in Rainberry Lake so swimming is prohibited. Please do not tempt the gators. Looks can be deceiving as they can move very, very fast.
Wild Life - Our lake attracts some of the most amazing birds in the world including: Pelicans, Osprey, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Storks, Flocks of Ibis, Great Blue Herons, etc. The lake also has turtles, iguana and an occasional alligator.
