Like everything else in this world, it all depends. People are terrified of snakes and then get in and drive their auto which is infinitely more dangerous. Yes, some snakes are venomous (the four types mentioned by donmorgan) and should be treated with respect. Some species such as the non-venomous water snake can be down right agressive.
The things to really be afraid of at our lakes are the autos we use to get to the lake, drowning (especially with children), accidents of all kinds, lightning, and diseases such as West Nile virus and Lymes. All of these things really are serious and all too often, we ignore them and focus on things that seldom cause problems.
