Florida’s top freshwater fishing destinations for 2011
Fish Busters' Bulletin
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Media contact: Bob Wattendorf
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
freshwater fisheries biologists from across the state recently
weighed in to suggest fishing sites that novice to expert anglers
might want to try out in 2011 for a variety of species.
Florida is the "Fishing Capital of the World" due to great
resources and responsible management. Those great resources include
a wide variety of fishing opportunities throughout the state. Every
winter, biologists select some of the larger water bodies they
recommend anglers try out.
To make their recommendations biologists use information such as
creel count (data from actual anglers' on-the-water success for the
previous year); electrofishing data (a sampling method that uses
electric currents to stun fish so they can be netted, examined and
released); tournament data; Big Catch results (the FWC's popular
angler-recognition program); state records; interviews with local
guides and bait-and-tackle shop owners; and their own fishing
experiences.
All of the sites selected are large enough and have adequate
public access facilities to accommodate additional fishing pressure
and still provide great fishing opportunities. We also try to take
into account recent or anticipated weather or vegetation trends
that might impact angling success throughout the year.
The results are posted on MyFWC.com/Fishing (see "Fishing Sites
and Forecasts") each January. In addition, that site also provides
quarterly fishing forecasts for major water bodies in each region
of the state, along with fishing tips and information about all of
Florida's recreational freshwater fishes.
Of course, one of these lists features largemouth bass, the most
popular sport fish in North America, and one which has been a jewel
in Florida's crown since the first angler cast a hook alongside a
lily pad. Long before that, it was a gem for native fishermen
casting a fish spear or a gorge (the predecessor of fish hooks) -
typically a bone with an off-center hole attached to a line. When a
fish swallowed it and the fishermen pulled on the line, the gorge
stuck in the fish's throat.
Another piece of good news is that Lake Okeechobee, the "Big
Waters" in the midst of the renowned River of Grass, is back on the
list. Following a series of environmental calamities, including
prolonged high water and hurricanes, the lake's resiliency and
management efforts have generated a bass resurgence. Other featured
black bass waters include perennial favorites, such as the
Everglades Conservation Areas; lakes George, Istokpoga, Kissimmee,
Monroe, Seminole, Talquin, Tarpon, Toho and Walk-in-Water; Mosaic
and Tenoroc fish management areas; Orange Lake; Rodman Reservoir;
and the Suwannee River.
Who knows? You might land a trophy fish by trying out these
hotspots. A yellow bullhead caught in the Crystal River on Dec. 17
became the new state record for that species. Tom Flynn of
Homosassa was fishing with minnows he caught at a boat ramp when he
hooked the catfish. The new state record yellow bullhead weighed 5
pounds, .75 ounces and was 20 inches in length.
Please check out MyFWC.com/Fishing, under "Fishing Sites and
Forecasts," to learn more about these destinations and how your
fishing license dollars help ensure the future of quality
freshwater fishing throughout Florida, so people can keep catching
various bass species; crappie, bream or bluegill; shellcrackers or
stumpknockers; redbreast sunfish; and catfish or bullheads.
We hope you will try your luck fishing for a new species or
testing some of these outstanding fishing holes this year to expand
your enjoyment, and we encourage you to take a kid fishing. It's
likely a tossup between bluegill and catfish for having generated
most of those awesome "first fish" smiles for millions of young and
not-so-young anglers in Florida. Regardless, for a kid, fishing is
inexpensive, fun, healthy and a great way to spend quality time
with someone you care about away from the stresses of daily
life.
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