NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

February 25, 1998

CONTACT: Steve Crawford (352) 357-6631

LAKE PANASOFFKEE ANGLERS NEEDED TO ASSIST FWC

Anglers, here’s a chance for you to help with research on Lake Panasoffkee and maybe even win a prize for your efforts. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), as part of its lake restoration plans, needs your help to determine the quality of the Lake Panasoffkee fishery.

FWC biologists are currently tagging bluegill and shellcracker in Lake Panasoffkee to help determine numbers and sizes of fish, as well as fish migrations within the lake and how fish use certain spawning areas. Anyone catching one of these tagged fish is asked to clip off the bright orange tag and bring it to one of the six locations listed below, fill out the information envelope provided and drop it - with the tag enclosed - in the drop-off box at each site.

The tags are attached to the fish just behind the dorsal fin and will have the letters "FWC" followed by a 4-digit number and a phone number. Tags may also be returned by calling the phone number on the tag and following the directions given. The fish may be kept or released.

It’s important to note that these tagged fish should not be confused with "Crappie Quest 98" tags that are on black crappie (speckled perch), which were tagged by a private company.

Each month, beginning in March and extending through December, two tags will be randomly drawn from all returned tags and prizes will be awarded to those lucky anglers. Prizes include a free night at a local fish camp, fishing rods, gift certificates, dinner at local restaurants and free launch fees for three months.

The six drop-off sites, all located around the lake, are: Idlewilde Lodge (352-793-7057); Pana-Vista Lodge (352-793-2061); Tracy’s Point Fish Camp (352-793-8060); Place of Grace (352-793-1770); Design Marine (352-793-1011); and Turtleback Resort (352-793-2051).

Prizes are made possible through generous donations by Catfish Johnny’s Restaurant, Design Marine, Evans Hardware, Harbor Lights Restaurant, Idlewild Lodge, Lake Panasoffkee Seafood Restaurant, Nordic Pawn and Sport, Pana-Vista Lodge, Place of Grace, Tracy’s Point Fish Camp, Angler’s Mart and Wal-Mart. There will also be several cash prizes awarded thanks to a $150 donation made by the Central Florida Fair in Orlando.

Lake Panasoffkee is a very popular bluegill and shellcracker fishing lake in Sumter County, but accumulated sediment on the lake bottom has occurred over time and spawning areas have been reduced. The information gathered from returned tags will be important to biologists in their lake restoration efforts.