NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

January 15, 1999

CONTACT: Henry Cabbage (850) 488-4676

FWC SETS APRIL 3-4 FREE FISHING WEEKEND & ANNOUNCES FIRST ELITE ANGLER

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) set the 1999 Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend for April 3-4. Anglers will be able to fish in the state's fresh waters without having to purchase a license during those two days. Commissioners adopted a rule making the first full weekend in April Free Fishing Weekend during Friday's meeting in Tallahassee.

Commissioners also took under consideration a packet of proposed fish and wildlife regulation changes ranging from loosening restrictions on possession of certain nets while bass fishing to changing next year's wildlife management area regulations. The FWC is scheduled to consider the proposals, along with staff recommendations, for official action during the March meeting.

The Division of Freshwater Fisheries presented its first Big Catch Elite Angler Award to Stacy Blackburn of Milton for catching trophy fish of 10 different freshwater species.

The next FWC meeting is set for March 11-12 at Tallahassee. Meanwhile, the FWC and Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will conduct a joint workshop at Tampa Feb. 24-25 to discuss an orderly merger of the two agencies to take effect July 1. All FWC meetings and the joint workshops are open to the public.

Beginning the day after the FWC/MFC joint workshop, the FWC and the Tampa Tribune will co-sponsor the three-day Frank Sargeant Outdoor Expo at the Tampa State Fairgrounds.