NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

December 12, 1997

CONTACT: Lt. Dewey Weaver (904) 758-0525

NEW FISH MANAGEMENT AREA IN CLAY COUNTY

Ronnie Vanzant Park pond near Lake Asbury in Clay County will become a fish management area on January 1, 1998. The pond was constructed by the Clay County Recreation Department and jointly managed by the County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The pond features a handicapped fishing pier and automatic fish feeders to improve the growth of stocked bluegill and channel catfish. "As an added benefit, the feeders concentrate fish and improve angler success," said Jerry Krummrich, regional fisheries administrator for the FWC.

"The lake has several unique regulations, one of which is the requirement that all largemouth bass less than 16" must be released. This will provide more catches of larger fish as well as keeping more predators to feed on young bluegill," said Krummrich.

"In an effort to promote kids fishing, another regulation requires that a child less than 16 years of age must accompany all adult fishermen," he said.

FWC plans are to annually stock 1,000 eight-inch channel catfish and to host fishing education classes for children.

In addition to the largemouth bass bag limit, a daily limit of 20 "Bream" has been established for the area.

A fishing license is required to fish on a fish management area for everyone between the ages of 16 and 64 years of age unless exempted by law.