NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

August 20, 1999

CONTACT: Charlie Mesing (850)487-1644

LAKE MICCOSUKEE CLOSES

Recreational and commercial fishing closed today (Aug. 20) on Lake Miccosukee in Jefferson County.

The action was taken by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to allow adult game fish in the lake to survive during a lengthy drawdown that began in April of this year. While the normal lake level is 6,000 acres, the lake will shrink to approximately 70 acres over the next year.

"The only area where fishing will be allowed is in the diked sinkhole in the northern portion of the lake, and during daylight hours only," said Charlie Mesing, a FWC fisheries biologist who is overseeing the drawdown. "Signs to that effect have already been posted."

In addition to the ban on fishing, individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms, other than shotguns, on the lake bottom north of U.S. Highway 90. The lake is expected to remain closed until Feb. 20, 2000.