NEWS
RELEASE
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
November 24, 1998
CONTACT: Danon Moxley (941) 499-2421
FWC TAKES RESERVATIONS TO FISH HYDRILLA LAKE
NOTE: THE 2000 RESERVATIONS ARE FOUND VIA THE TENOROC WEBSITE
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will begin taking reservations to fish Hydrilla Lake (click here for interactive map) in the Tenoroc Fish Management Area, starting December 1, 1998. The exclusive 46-acre phosphate pit lake, located in Lakeland, will be open for fishing on Fridays and Sundays only, from January through April, 1999. One boat per day, containing no more than three anglers, is given sole access to the lake. There is a fee of $50 per angler.Hydrilla Lake offers anglers an excellent chance to catch quality-sized bass. Catch results from the fall quarter of 1998 show anglers catch a bass every 25 minutes. Most bass caught are in the two to three pound range, with an occasional bass up to eight pounds.
Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the Tenoroc Fish Management Area at (941) 499-2421, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anglers must have a valid Florida fishing license and verify their reservation with a $50 deposit within seven days of making the reservation. Anglers will receive their permit by mail following receipt of the $50 fee. Additional anglers in the party may pay their $50 fee upon arrival at Tenoroc.
Anglers making reservations in person at the Tenoroc office, can make their payment by cash or money order. The FWC can not accept personal or business checks. Money orders need to be made out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Anglers with lifetime sportsman's licenses, lifetime freshwater fishing licenses or five-year freshwater fishing licenses, issued before July 1, 1998 are not required to pay the fee but are still required to obtain a permit As of July 1, 1998, anglers over 65 years of age, children under 16 years old or those with permanent disabled hunting and fishing licenses are required to pay the special fishing opportunity fee.
Permits are transferrable prior to the reserved date, but anglers may fish Hydrilla Lake only once in each four-month period.
A contour map of the lake is available to anglers at the Tenoroc office.