Bass are on the beds and on our minds
Fish Busters' Bulletin
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Media contact: Bob Wattendorf
Spring is here, and the bass are on their
beds. The males have been fanning out beds on firm lake
bottoms with plenty of nearby vegetation. If they are
successful in their amorous intents to entice a female to join
them, they'll soon be spending time guarding the nest and fanning
tens of thousands of eggs to keep them oxygenated.
This annual ritual is dependent not only on the
sexual appeal of the individual bass, but also on the quality of
the environment, the vagaries of weather, and impacts of man.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) fisheries biologists are charged with sustaining fish
populations while providing recreational opportunities for more
than 1.4 million anglers, who enjoy more than 24 million bass
fishing trips a year in Florida and bolster the economy by $1.4
billion.
The FWC faces a huge challenge that requires
different approaches in many of Florida's 7,700 lakes, which
comprise 3 million acres of water, plus 12,000 miles of rivers,
streams and canals. FWC biologists work with many partners to
ensure water quality and healthy populations of bass. The FWC also
conducts major habitat-enhancement projects and controls the spread
of nonnative plants. The FWC's two freshwater fish hatcheries
provide quality, disease-free, genetically appropriate bass for
stocking when needed.
These biologists modify fishing regulations when
necessary to ensure quality bass fishing now and in the
future. Wildlife officers enforce the rules. Outreach efforts
help reconnect Floridians of all ages with nature to lead happier,
healthier and smarter lifestyles, following the advice of the Get
Outdoors Florida! Coalition and the Children and Nature
Network.
Biologists from the FWC's Fish and Wildlife
Research Institute and the University of Florida are conducting a
statewide largemouth bass research study. Scientists hope to
learn how frequently bass are caught and harvested and more about
the size range of fish caught. Results of this study will help them
manage the fishery for quality and trophy-sized largemouth
bass.
Bass in 30 lakes throughout the state have been
tagged with small, yellow tags along the back of the fish, just
below the dorsal fin. These tags carry a printed telephone
number, e-mail address, tag number (e.g., LMB 0001) and reward
value.
Anglers should carefully examine all bass caught in
Florida lakes for reward tags, as biologists have tagged fish from
lakes throughout the state. To claim their reward, anglers are
encouraged to report these tags to the FWC
Angler Tag Return Hotline (800-367-4461). The FWC is also
working with BountyFishing.com to gain additional information about
big bass being caught throughout Florida and is monitoring results
from all permitted bass tournaments.
With all of this going on, the FWC has decided it
is time to have a long-term management plan for black bass
(largemouth bass, shoal bass, spotted bass and Suwannee
bass). To learn more about the plan, visit
MyFWC.com/Fishing. You can help by completing the online
survey.
Don't forget, your fishing license fees and excise
taxes paid on fishing tackle and motorboat fuels fund all of these
efforts. The funds are returned to the FWC from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service based on the number of paid license-holders in
Florida.
To thank anglers for their contributions and to
work with industry partners, the FWC is offering a special 5-year
freshwater fishing license bonus program. Until 3,000 boxes
filled with free tackle, publications and fishing accessories are
distributed, anyone buying a 5-year freshwater fishing license will
receive the bonus automatically in the mail. A 5-year license costs
just $79, plus a convenience fee, but in return you know the fees
won't increase while you have your license, and you don't need to
worry about renewing for five years.
Five-year licenses are available online at
MyFWC.com/License and via the toll-free phone number, 888-347-4356.
In addition, they may be purchased at any license agent, such as
retail stores that sell fishing supplies and bait-and-tackle shops
or at county tax collectors' offices.
For information about local fishing opportunities,
visit MyFWC.com/Fishing, where you can also verify that you will be
one of the first 3,000 and see all of the bonus package
contents.
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