NEWS
RELEASE
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
M 16, 1999
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 on April 1 to fish Hydrilla Lake (map)in the Tenoroc Fish Management Area. The exclusive 46-acre phosphate pit lake, located in Lakeland, will be open for fishing on Fridays and Sundays only, from May through August, 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 impressive numbers of quality-sized largemouth bass. Catch results from the fall quarter of 1998 revealed anglers caught a bass every 25 minutes, which is well above state average. The daily catch rate averaged 39 fish per boat. Most bass were in the 2-5 pound range, with an occasional 8-pound-plus bass caught.
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 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. Anglers accompanying the permitted angler can pay in advance or upon arrival at Tenoroc.
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. Money Orders must 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 and fishing tips are available to anglers at the Tenoroc office.