NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

2 November 2000

CONTACT: Danon Moxley (863) 499-2421

  FWC TAKES RESERVATIONS TO FISH HYDRILLA LAKE

  Die hard bass anglers looking for an opportunity to fish legendary Hydrilla Lake now have an opportunity. Starting immediately, applications to fish the lake are available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for the January-April 2001 period.

One of Florida's most exclusive bass fishing hot spots, the renowned 46-acre phosphate lake, is located within the boundaries of Tenoroc Fish Management Area (FMA) near Lakeland. This water body regularly provides largemouth bass anglers with an exceptional fishing experience because of strict regulation and intensive management. Hydrilla Lake is open Fridays and Sundays only and is restricted to one boat per day, containing no more than three anglers. Furthermore, all bass must be released immediately upon capture.

"Catch-and-release bass regulations on Hydrilla Lake help maintain a quality fishery where anglers regularly hook a number of large bass," said Danon Moxley, Tenoroc FMA manager.

Partial catch results from this fall's creel census show that Hydrilla Lake fishermen averaged 22 bass per trip, of which 33 percent were 15 inches or larger. Survey results from a typical trip show a catch rate almost five times higher than the national average for bass anglers. Fishermen also report releasing a surprising number of fish over six pounds.

According to Moxley, the large number of anglers interested in fishing Hydrilla Lake has made the previous telephone reservation system obsolete. The random drawing system, now in place, will give everyone an equal chance of getting a reservation.

"While the reservation system is new, the regulations used to manage this lake and the cost for each permit, $50 per angler, have not changed," said Moxley.

Applications for reservations are available on the FWC's Web site at http://FloridaFisheries.comoffices/tenoroc.html or by calling the Tenoroc FMA office at (863) 499-2422. Applicants may apply as many times as they like; however, there is a $5 non-refundable application fee for each application submitted. All applicants are required to pay the $5 non-refundable application fee, no exemptions.

Anglers with lifetime sportsman's licenses, lifetime freshwater fishing licenses or five-year freshwater fishing licenses issued before July 1, 1998 are exempt from the special-opportunity fee but are still required to apply for a permit. Special-opportunity fishing permits may be transferred from one angler to another; however, an exempt permit cannot be transferred to a non-exempt angler without paying the appropriate fees.

Residents age 65 or older, residents certified totally and permanent disabled, residents in the armed forces home on leave for 30 days or less and children under age 16 are not exempt from the special-opportunity permit fee. Lifetime sportsman's license, lifetime fishing license and five-year fishing license holders who purchased their license after July 1, 1998 are not exempt from special-opportunity fees.

The new application requires anglers to list three preferred fishing dates in priority order. A list of angling days is provided on the application. Potential anglers can also select an "Any Date Available" box. This modification to the application was added so that anglers who are selected in the random drawing can be assigned an open date if their preferred dates have already been selected.

Applications for fishing Hydrilla Lake must be received in the Tallahassee office of the FWC by 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 15.

Within two weeks of the application deadline, successful applicants should receive an invoice for payment, along with notification of their fishing date. The appropriate fees in the form of a money order or personal check must accompany the invoice and be received in the Tenoroc Fish Management Area office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 1. After Dec. 1, unsold fishing dates will be offered to the next randomly drawn applicant.

Each angler with a confirmed date may bring up to two guests. Cost per guest is $50. Guest permits may be paid in advance or upon arrival at the Tenoroc FMA office, either by cash or money order. All anglers must have a valid Florida fishing license. Each angler, including guests, shall be limited to one permit during this four-month fishing period.

For more information on west central Florida fishing opportunities, consult the FWC's Web site at FloridaFisheries.com/forecasts/ or call the FWC's Lakeland regional office at (863) 648-3202 during regular business hours.