> You are not. There are most certainly private lakes. <
Yes. There are private lakes. But in my post, I was careful to say natural lakes, lakes that have been there forever. I cannot see how such lakes can be privatized.
It depends on who owned the land over time. If the land surrounding the lake was privately held, it is a private lake. Each owner buttressing the lake owns not just their lot but to the middle of the lake.
If the land was in the care and custody of the county or state, even if the lots adjacent to it are in private hands the county or state may grant a public easement as a covenant that runs with the land. If the state or county did not reserve that right prior to transfer of title, then none exists; the owner has all rights to the land and the public does not.
This is different from manufactured lakes, stock ponds, water reclamation ponds, well-fed ponds, etc. Those are separately deeded lots with a clear chain of title.
In this instance, there was no common area parcel nor public easement. They trespassed on privately held land.
The HOA guy was a jerk but the kids were also breaking the law.
No one has clean hands here.