NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

July 28, 1998

CONTACT: Danon Moxley (941) 499-2421

FWC TAKES RESERVATIONS TO FISH HYDRILLA LAKE

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will begin taking reservations on August 3, 1998 to fish Hydrilla Lake in the Tenoroc Fish Management Area near Lakeland for September through December. The 46-acre phosphate pit lake will be open through a reservation system Fridays and Sundays and only one boat with no more than three anglers is given exclusive access on these days for 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 1997 reveal an overall bass success rate of 0.78 fish per hour with 37 percent of all bass caught greater than 15 inches in length.

Applicants can make phone reservations 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 pay $50 by money order, made out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, within seven days of the reservation. Anglers will receive their permit by mail following receipt of the $50 fee. Upon arrival at Tenoroc, additional anglers must pay $50 each.

Anglers making reservations directly at the Tenoroc office can make their payment by cash or money order. The FWC can not accept personal or business checks.

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. 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.