Couldn't agree with Captain Bob more. Venice is a wonderful port of call, and a great place to live in Florida.

If you are interested in the West Coast of Florida, be sure to check out Venice,
We did so 3 years ago when we were looking at Cape Coral, but decided in only 20 minutes driving through Venice that it was the right place:
1.  We bought a house on the ICW.. No dock but plenty of bot traffic for viewing.  Housing not expensive, and very cheap now.
2. One mile to the best free beaches in Florida,
3. 15 mile bike path behind the house.  12 miles north to Sarasota or 3 miles south along the canal to free Casperson Beach.
4. Small town feel, 25,000 permanent residents.
5. Rte 41 Bypass takes traffic around, not through Venice Island.
6. Some great restaurants in town, most not expensive.
7 Plenty of art shows, farmers market, parades, activities.
8. No recorded direct hit hurricanes in history. Temps similar to Naples. Frost rare.
9. Good school district (Sarasota).  Venice HS has a history of state champ finalist teams in baseball (2007 state champ) football and basketball.
If I sound like a real estate promoter, I'm not.  We just love our new home.
Bob Kunath
Sans Souci, Pacific Seacraft 38T

Please refrain form talking so nice about Venice.  It is the best kept  secret on the west coast.
We have been going there for 30 years and have had a place on a canal  for 10y ears.
The difference between Venice and Punta Gorda is that every thing in  Venice is walking or biking distance while PG needs car ride.
Rob Hoffman

Captain Bob's message above brought on plenty of discussion on the infamous "Venice Water Nazi." As you will see, at the end of this string, the officer in question is now retired. Interesting that after this much time, the memory of this guy still engenders such STRONG feelings and memories. Here's some examples:

Every time I hear reports of this guy it raises my hackles. He sounds like a bully who has refined his bullying tactics to the point of glib, officious, superior intimidation. I think that if we ever find ourselves in Venice (which truly does sound like a wonderful place, by the way, in spite of the little water Nazi) I will make sure that I have a tape recorder handy, so I can share the spectacle of Hans and me being double-talked into feeling like we're breaking a law. Maybe then SOMEone who has authority over him will listen. On the other hand, if he stops and/or boards us and recognizes that we're breaking no law, perhaps I will report to this group that he's a warm fuzzy grandfatherly man just hoping to keep people honest. . . (Wanna take bets?)
Geesch.
Peggy Bjarno

GLAD to see a picture of him…I got ticketed on an outdated law last summer.  I fought it and won, and saved oodles of money.
TT

It's got nothing to do with the city. He works for the state. Venice is a nice town and the Crows Nest is a nice stop.
Years ago the officer in question used to be based in Sarasota. But it's always been my understanding that he wore out his welcome here and was transferred down to the Venice area. Lucky Venice.
Had a few run ins with him over the years. Hoped he had retired by now. Sadly, I guess not. He gives LE a bad name as far as daily dealings with the public go. The problem with him is not that he's just doing his job, it's how he does it.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070304/NEWS/703040804

It's interesting in the above article that they state Erickson that "Few understand the rules as well as Erickson.". Because when he hassled me a number of years ago at the Crows Nest on a 80' Lazzara I was running a the time, which was registered in the Cayman Islands, he sure didn't seem to understand the concept of foreign registration and a valid US Customs cruising permit.
 It's also interesting to me that even though I had met/dealt with him many times over decades, when he would come up to me in an official capacity, he would talk to me like it was the first time he had laid eyes on me. Strange dude. 
Capt. Bill

And now confirmation that Officer Erickson has indeed retired:

You are all bringing up very old news that is not relevant.  The Fish and Wildlife Commission Officer retired a long time back and there have not been any incidents with him for many months.
Venice continues to have free city face dock and a lot of very friendly local businesses.  We also hope to have a permit for a city mooring field by this summer and begin construction in the fall.
Joe

Hi, Claiborne,
Yes, it's true!  I stopped and chatted with the harbormaster at Crow's Nest this morning, Tim Erickson retired from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about six months ago.  It is now safe to dock in Venice, at least he won't hassle you.
Good options:
Crow's Nest, close to the inlet and beaches, and the restaurant is one of Florida's best
Higel Park on Roberts Bay, free dockage overnight.
Both oif those 1 mile to downtown.
Marine Max, at Circus Bridge, limited beam.  Close to grocery, Walgreen, Lowes but 2 miles to downtown.    
Regards
Bob

Claiborne,
Tim Erickson retired last year. True, The "Venice Water Nazi" is now an Urban Legend.
Joe Fanciulli
Venice Yacht Club