NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

March 19, 2001

CONTACT: Tim Coughlin (863) 648-3202

FREE FISHING DERBY AT WEBB LAKE

If you have a budding angler in the family, chomping at the bit for some action, take notice. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Charlotte Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) are cosponsoring a free fishing event at the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area (map) in Punta Gorda on Saturday, April 7, from 9 a.m. until noon. Anglers may register to fish at anytime during the celebration.

You don't even need a fishing license or a fishing pole. All fees associated with this event will be waived including fishing license and WMA daily use fees. There will also be fishing tackle available on loan from the FWC and bait will be provided. The festivities at Babcock-Webb WMA are part of the free freshwater fishing weekend occurring throughout the state on April 7 and 8.

Raffle prizes, free soda and hot dogs will be supplied courtesy of the CCA, who also provide volunteers to run the event. In past years, free raffle items have included bicycles and fishing tackle.

The Babcock-Webb WMA's ponds are stocked with large bluegill and huge freshwater snook. The lakes at Babcock-Webb WMA are specifically managed for trophy size bluegill. Fish have been stocked and feeders have been installed to help fish reach maximum size in the shortest time possible. Surveys by biologists indicate that bluegill, eight inches or larger, are common and there are some monsters over 11 inches long in the ponds. There is a better than even chance that a family member will hook one of the monsters known to be in these ponds.

Fishing ponds located at the south entrance to the state recreation area have excellent bank-fishing access. Anglers can also have their picture taken with their catch and if the fish meets the criteria, the angler will be eligible for a Big Catch certificate. The FWC's Big Catch and Angler Recognition Program honors anglers who catch outstanding specimens of 30 of Florida's most popular freshwater fish species. At last year's event, anglers caught a good number of bluegill over eight inches that qualified for "Big Catch" certificates.

"Fishing can be an entertaining family adventure and a fun way to introduce youngsters to the principles of conserving our natural resources. It is the goal of CCA to promote a strong conservation ethic through family outdoor activities," said Tom Hamilton, derby organizer for CCA.

The Babcock-Webb fishing ponds are located off Interstate 75, south of Punta Gorda in Charlotte County. From I-75, take exit 27 (Tucker Grade), two-tenths of a mile east to the fish ponds.

For more information on the these and other fishing events, call the FWC's Division of Fisheries at (863) 648-3202 or consult the FWC Web site at www.myflorida.com/fwc/fishing for information on other FWC outreach projects.