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Fish Management Areas

Fish Management Areas

A Fish Management Area (FMA) is a pond, lake or other body of water established for the management of freshwater fish as a partnership effort with a local cooperator. The FWC's Division of Freshwater Fisheries manages about 80 water bodies throughout the state that are designated as Fish Management Areas. Examples include most community-based fishing lakes and Commission-managed impoundments. In many cases, these lakes are stocked with channel catfish, largemouth bass or sunshine bass. Automatic fish feeders and fish attractors concentrate sportfish for bank anglers.

A freshwater fishing license is required for Fish Management Area lakes unless an angler is exempt. Also, special bag limits and methods apply on these lakes. For the restrictions on each particular water body, consult the Fish Management Area Regulations provided below or call the nearest FWC Regional office.

Fish Management Area General Regulations

  1. A fishing license is required for residents from 16 to 64 years of age, and for nonresidents 16 or more years of age, to fish by any method, including cane poles, on a Fish Management Area. Refer to Fishing License Fees for exemptions.
  2. The possession of fishing tackle is prohibited on any Fish Management Area that is closed to fishing.
    Bag limits and methods of taking freshwater fish apply except as provided for a particular Fish Management Area.
  3. The possession of nets (other than legal minnow seines, cast nets or dip nets), fish traps, trotlines or setlines is prohibited unless specifically authorized by rules established for a particular Fish Management Area.
  4. Persons entering or leaving Fish Management Areas that have designated entry points shall enter or leave only at such designated points.
  5. Any vehicle, boat or other transportation device may be searched while in, entering or leaving a Fish Management Area.
  6. Fish Management Areas may be temporarily closed to accommodate management projects (e.g., drawdowns), or if unsafe conditions exist, or as otherwise specified in a specific Fish Management Area rule.
  7. Intentional release of wildlife or freshwater fish on Fish Management Areas is prohibited.
FWC regional map

Northwest

Northeast

North Central

Southwest

South

Northwest FMA Regulations

FWC Northwest Region

Bear Lake (107 acres) Fishing Forecast - Brochure and Map

  • Open to fishing
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • No motor vehicles on dams, spillways and fishing fingers.

Hurricane Lake (318 acres) Fishing Forecast - Brochure

  • Open to fishing
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • No motor vehicles on dams, spillways and fishing fingers.

Joe Budd Pond (15 acres)

Closed to fishing, except as authorized by permit for Commission-sanctioned events (see MyFWC.com/Fishing for details). Open to fishing during daylight hours on Saturdays and Sundays during July, August and September or as specified by order of the Executive Director.

  • No motor vehicles on dams, spillways and fishing fingers.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Sunshine bass bag limit: 10
  • Black bass bag limit: 1
  • Black bass less than 16 inches in total length must be released immediately.

Juniper Lake (665 acres) Brochure and Map

  • Open to fishing
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Karick Lake (58 acres) Fishing Forecast - Brochure

  • Open to fishing
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • No motor vehicles on dams, spillways and fishing fingers.

Merritt's Mill Pond (202 acres) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing
  • The taking of fish and wildlife with rifles is prohibited.
  • Gigs are prohibited.
  • Trotlines may be used.
  • Redear sunfish (shellcracker) bag limit: 10
  • Redear sunfish less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Lake Piney Z (193 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Watercraft shall be allowed only as authorized by the City of Tallahassee.
  • Access is prohibited from sunset until sunrise.
  • Use or possession of cast nets or minnow seines is prohibited.
  • No motor vehicles on dams, spillways and fishing fingers.

Lake Stone (130 acres) Fishing Forecast - Brochure

  • Open to fishing
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • No motor vehicles on dams, spillways and fishing fingers.

Lake Victor (130 acres) Fishing Forecast - Brochure

  • Open to fishing
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Black bass bag limit: 15
  • Black bass 16 inches in total length or longer must be released immediately.
  • Circle hooks required when fishing with natural bait greater than 3” in length.
  • No motor vehicles on dams, spillways and fishing fingers.

Northeast FMA Regulations

FWC Northeast Region

East Lake Tohopekaliga (11,968 acres) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.
  • Nongame fish may be taken by castnets, dip nets, seines, trotlines, set lines, bush hooks, and traps as specified in Rules 68A-23.002, 68A-23.003 and 68A-23.004, F.A.C.

Lake Jackson (1,020 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Cast nets, minnow lift nets and minnow seines are prohibited.
  • Black bass must be released immediately.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Lake Marian (5,739 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.
  • Minnow lift nets, fish traps and trotlines may be used.

Lake Tohopekaliga (West Lake Toho; 18,810 acres) Fishing Forecast

Lake Cypress (4,097 acres)

Lake Hatchineha (6,665 acres)

Lake Kissimmee (34,948 acres) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.
  • Nongame fish may be taken by castnets, dip nets, seines, trotlines, set lines, bush hooks, and traps as specified in Rules 68A-23.002, 68A-23.003 and 68A-23.004, F.A.C.

Lake Panasoffkee (4,460 acres) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing
  • Trotlines may be used.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Clermont Chain of Lakes (Cook-20 acres, Winona-25 acres, Palatlakaha-101 acres, Crescent-74 acres, Louisa-3,634 acres, Minnehaha-2,261 acres, Hiawatha-69 acres, Minneola-1,888 acres, Wilson-33 acres, Susan-81 acres, and Cherry-396 acres lakes)

  • Open to fishing
  • Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9 a.m.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Lake Griffin including all Emeralda Marsh water bodies open to Lake Griffin, and including all points lakeward of a boundary line delineated by: County Road 44 and Burrell Lock and Dam on Haynes Creek (formerly Haines Creek); County Road 464c at Moss Bluff Lock and Dam (16,505 acres, including marsh. 9,400 acres of open-water lake)

  • Open to fishing
  • Trotlines are prohibited from 9 a.m. Friday until one hour before sunset on Sunday.
  • Trotlines are also prohibited from 9 a.m. until one hour before sunset Monday through Thursday from May 1 through Oct. 31.
  • No trotline may be secured to or fished within 50 yards of a private pier or dock.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.
  • Black crappie less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately.
  • Open to fishing
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Lake Dias (711 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Fox Lake (165 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • No airboats for fishing or frogging.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

South Lake (1,101 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • No airboats for fishing or frogging.
  • Trotlines may be used.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Lake Ivanhoe (125 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Cast nets are prohibited.
  • Open to fishing
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Lake Santiago in Demetree Park (5 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Boats are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Cast nets are prohibited.

Hal Scott (17 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Black bass must be released immediately.
  • Open to fishing
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Cast nets are prohibited.
  • Bluegill bag limit: 5
  • Bluegill less than 12 inches in total length must be released immediately.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 1
  • Channel catfish less than 30 inches in total length must be released immediately.
  • Black bass must be released immediately.

Clear Lake (339 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Cast nets are prohibited.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Lake Lawne (156 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Cast nets are prohibited.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Open to fishing
  • Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibited.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Turkey Lake (323 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Black bass must be released immediately.
  • Except for sanctioned events, gasoline motors may not be used on boats.

Lake Underhill (147 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Black bass must be released immediately.

Secret Lake (5 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Personal watercraft are prohibited.
  • Cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Blue Cypress (5,500 acres) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing
  • Trotlines may be used.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

North Central FMA Regulations

FWC North Central Region
Map of Jacksonville area ponds

Angler Guide to Jacksonville Area Ponds

The Angler Guide to Jacksonville Area Ponds provides a helpful map to local Fish Management Areas!

St. Augustine Road ponds (North-2.0 acres, and South-9.8 acres)

  • Open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms, possession of alcoholic beverages or use of cast nets is prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Oceanway Pond (6.3 acres)

  • Open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Hanna Park ponds (27 acres)

  • Open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Pope Duval East ponds (East-6.9 acres, and West-4.6 acres)

  • Open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Bethesda Pond (15.7 acres)

  • Open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Huguenot Pond (2.7 acres)

  • Open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Crystal Springs Park (1.8 acres)

  • Open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
  • No person between the ages of 16 years and 64 years shall fish unless accompanied by an angler less than 16 years of age; by an angler 65 years of age or older; by angler who has been certified by the U.S. Veterans Administration, U.S. Social Security Administration, by any branch of the U.S. Armed Services, or by a licensed physician in this State to be totally and permanently disabled and has obtained a permanent license issued pursuant to Section 379.352(5), F.S.; or by an angler with proof of acceptance as a client for developmental services by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
  • Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
  • Boats are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Camp Blanding: Magnolia (205 acres) and Lowery (1,263 acres) lakes

  • Open to fishing. Magnolia and Lowry Lakes will be open to fishing on Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Openings may be changed at discretion of Post Commander to accommodate military training. All anglers will be required to check into and out of area at a manned check station.
  • Guns are prohibited for taking of fish or wildlife except during designated hunting seasons for Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area.
  • Boat launching permitted only at designated areas.
  • Camping is prohibited.
  • During periods closed to hunting, vehicles may be operated only on roads to designated access areas.
  • Use of all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.
  • All watercraft shall be operated at idle speed only.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Alligator Lake Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing.
  • Fishing is prohibited in Ponderosa Pond except for authorized groups permitted by FWC.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

NOTE: Eagle Lake will be closed to public access by the landowner starting Monday, August 28, 2023, for necessary management activity in the lake. Please monitor this page for updates. Once reopened, the following rules apply:

Eagle Lake (200 acres)

  • Open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Swimming and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms are prohibited.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Ronnie Vanzant Park (3 acres)

  • Open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Boats or any floating vessel apparatus are prohibited.
  • No swimming or camping.
  • No person 16 years of age or older shall fish unless accompanied by an angler less than 16 years of age.
  • Fishing permitted only with hook and line or rod and reel.
  • Nets are prohibited, except for dip nets.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Orange Lake (12,700 acres) Fishing Forecast

Lakes Lochloosa (8,350 acres, includes Tadpole and Lochloosa creeks, Orange Lake proper, waters south and east of CR-346 and west of US Hwy 301 and Cross Creek) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing.
  • Black bass 20 inches in total length or longer must be released immediately.
  • Circle hooks required when fishing with natural bait greater than 3 inches in length.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.
  • Trotlines having a gallon-sized plastic float at each end may be used, provided that such lines are sunk to the bottom or to a minimum depth of 4 feet.

Newnans Lake (5,800 acres) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.
  • Trotlines having a gallon-sized plastic float at each end may be used, provided that such lines are sunk to the bottom or to a minimum depth of 4 feet.

Suwannee Lake (63 acres) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing.
  • No camping.
  • No motor vehicles on dam and fishing fingers.
  • Taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
  • Access to the area from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise for any use other than fishing and launching and loading of boats is prohibited.
  • Black bass bag limit: 15
  • Black bass 16 inches in total length or longer must be released immediately.
  • Circle hooks required when fishing with natural bait greater than 3” in length.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Koon Lake (125 acres)

  • Open to fishing.
  • Taking of fish or wildlife with firearms is prohibited.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Lake Montgomery (36 acres)

  • Open to fishing.
  • Boats are restricted to idle speed—no wake.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Watertown Lake (46 acres)

  • Open to fishing.
  • Taking of fish or wildlife with firearms is prohibited.
  • Watercraft shall be operated only at idle speed before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. daily.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Lang Lake (86 acres) - No longer a Fish Management Area and currently closed. For additional information, please call the NC Regional Office at (386)758-0525.

Southwest FMA Regulations

FWC Southwest Region

Lake Tarpon (2,500 acres) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing
  • Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Lake Seminole (700 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9 a.m.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Bobby Hicks Park Pond (25 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibited.
  • Swimming and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms are prohibited.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Gadsden Park Pond (48 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibited.
  • Swimming and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms are prohibited.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Lake Thonotosassa (819 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Lake Parker (2,257 acres) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing
  • Wire traps may be used for nongame fish.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Saddle Creek (321 acres) Fishing Forecast

Check out this outstanding web site www.saddlecreekpark.com

  • Open to fishing
  • Cast nets are prohibited.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Open to fishing
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.
  • Nongame fish may be taken by castnets, dip nets, seines, trotlines, set lines, bush hooks, and traps as specified in Rules 68A-23.002, 68A-23.003 and 68A-23.004, F.A.C.

Manatee Lake (1,400 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9 a.m., Sunday through Thursday.
  • Outboard motors more than 20 h.p. may not be used.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Edward Medard Park Reservoir Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing
  • No person shall use any gear other than hook and line or rod and reel to take and possess game fish and nongame fish species.
  • Persons possessing a valid freshwater commercial fishing license may use cast nets to catch nongame fish other than channel catfish from 12:01 AM Tuesday to 12:01 AM Friday.
  • Days and hours of operation, park entrance and other user fees shall be designated by Hillsborough County and posted at the park main entrance.

Webb Lake (395 acres)

  • Open to fishing during posted hours.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Bluegill and redear sunfish less than 8 inches in total length must be released immediately.
  • Vehicles may be used only on designated roads.
  • Open to fishing
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Bluegill and redear sunfish less than 8 inches in total length must be released immediately.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Open to fishing
  • Bluegill and redear sunfish less than 10 inches must be released immediately.
  • Bluegill and redear sunfish combined bag limit: 10
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Tenoroc Fish Management Area (Lake A-23 acres, Lake B-206 acres, Lake C-27 acres, Lake D-35 acres, Lake F-33 acres, Hydrilla Lake-48 acres, Lake 2-25 acres, Lake 3-76 acres, Lake 4-43 acres, Lake 5-228 acres, Lake 6-13 acres, Picnic Lake-59 acres, East Pasture-5 acres and West Pasture-5 acres lakes, Cemetery Lake-7 acres, Derby Lake-17, Shop Pond acres)

  • Fishing, hunting or trapping is allowed only by FWC permit. All anglers and hunters must check in and out at the Tenoroc Fish Management Area headquarters and deposit their valid fishing or hunting license with the custodian unless otherwise instructed. On water bodies where special-opportunity alligator hunts are permitted, participants may use guns and baits as specified in Rule 68A-25.042, F.A.C., when taking alligators. Permitted alligator hunt participants are exempt from the requirement to enter at designated points.
  • Days and hours of operation and quotas shall be as designated by the FWC and posted at area headquarters (currently Friday through Monday only). Fishing is permitted in designated lakes only. Lakes may be closed to public access for management purposes or if access to the lake exposes the public to danger, by posting notice at the Tenoroc check station office.
  • Discharge of firearms is limited to the FWC firing range or at FWC sponsored events.
  • All dogs must be leashed, except as authorized by FWC.

Unless otherwise specified, Tenoroc FMA harvest restrictions are:

  • Crappie bag limit: 10
  • Crappie less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately.
  • Sunshine bass bag limit: 6
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Black bass must be released immediately.
  • Fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fins removed, until the angler has checked out at the area headquarters.
  • Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibited.
  • No person shall have any gun under his/ her control while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Public access is prohibited in areas posted as “Restricted” for protection of threatened or endangered species, or environmentally sensitive areas.
  • Motor vehicles may be operated only on named roads, designated parking areas, and fishing ramps as designated in the area use brochure.
  • Vehicles may not obstruct designated roads, boat ramps, gates or fire lanes.
  • Swimming and float tubes are prohibited.

Regulations for Tenoroc lakes are as follows:

Lakes 10, A, Butterfly, C, Coronet, F, Fish Hook, G, Half-Moon, Horseshoe, Hydrilla, Legs Lost, Lake East, Lost Lake West, Tern, 2, 3, and 4 (primitive launch only on Lakes 10, Butterfly, F, Fish Hook, G, Half-Moon, Lost Lake East, Lost Lake West, and Tern):

  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.

Lakes B and 5:

  • Boats are restricted to idle speed—no wake.
  • Black bass 16 inches in total length or longer must be released immediately.
  • Black bass bag limit: 2

Picnic Lake:

  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Black bass bag limit: 2
  • Black bass 16 inches in total length or longer must be released immediately.

Pine (formerly East and West Pasture Lakes) and Derby Lakes: Check online regulations for possible changes.

  • Boats may not be used.
  • Closed to fishing unless authorized by FWC permit for agency-sanctioned events except for anglers who have been certified by the U.S. Veterans Administration, U.S. Social Security Administration, by a branch of the U.S. Armed Services, or by a licensed Florida physician to be totally and permanently disabled and has obtained a permanent license issued pursuant to 373.561 (5)(b), F.S. or unless that person presents proof of acceptance as a client for developmental disabilities services by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. One properly licensed person may fish if accompanying or assisting a permitted individual as described above.
  • Other than anglers described above, no one 16 years or older shall fish on Pine or Derby lakes unless accompanied by a child under 16 years of age.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Anglers may keep no more than 5 bluegill and redear sunfish 8 inches or longer in total length per day.
  • Derby Lake: Daily bag limit for black bass shall be five per day, only one of which may be 16 inches or greater in total length.

Cemetery Lake:

  • Boats may not be used.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Anglers may keep no more than 5 bluegill and redear sunfish 8 inches or longer in total length per day.

Long Lake:

  • Crappie bag limit: 25
  • No size limit for crappie.
  • Largemouth bass and sunshine bass: statewide size and bag limits apply.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.

Shop Lake:

  • No bag limit for black bass.
  • Black bass 16 inches in total length or longer must be released immediately.
  • Circle hooks required when fishing with natural bait greater than 3” in length.

Lake Crago (54 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Largemouth bass, crappie and sunshine bass: statewide size and bag limits apply.
  • Wire traps may be used for nongame fish.
  • Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9 a.m.
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.
  • Boats are restricted to idle speed—no wake.

Freedom Lake Park (7 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Dover District Park Lake (14 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Steven J. Wortham Park Lake (10 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Al Lopez Park Lake (10 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibited.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms are prohibited.
  • Check entrance for open or closed status.
  • Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibited.
  • Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms and possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Panfish daily bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish daily bag limit: 6.

Walsingham Park Lake (100 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibited.
  • Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Bluegill and redear aggregate bag limit: 20
  • Sunshine bass bag limit: 4
  • Sunshine bass less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6

Middle Lake (200 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Watercraft shall be operated at idle speed only.
  • The following are prohibited within 150 feet of the boat launch site; swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms, camping, or open fires.
  • Bluegill and redear aggregate bag limit: 20
  • Bluegill and redear sunfish less than 8 inches in total length must be released immediately.

Lake Istokpoga (27,692 acres) Fishing Forecast

  • Open to fishing
  • No bag limit for channel catfish.
  • Nongame fish may be taken by cast nets, dip nets, seines, trotlines, set lines, bush hooks and wire traps. Refer to the Florida Commercial Freshwater Fisheries brochure.

Mosaic (multiple lakes) Map and Regulations

  • Fishing is allowed only by daily permit issued by the FWC.
  • All anglers must check in and out at the Mosaic creel station, the designated entry point, unless otherwise instructed.
  • Days and hours of operation and quotas shall be as designated by the FWC and posted at the Mosaic creel station (typically Mosaic is open Friday through Monday). Fishing is permitted in designated lakes only. All other lakes and restricted areas, so posted, are closed to public fishing. Any lake may be temporarily closed to public access for management purposes, or in the event that access to the lake exposes the public to danger, by posting notice at the creel station.

Unless otherwise specified, Mosaic FMA harvest restrictions are:

  • Black bass must be released immediately.
  • Sunshine bass bag limit: 6
  • Crappie bag limit: 10
  • Crappie less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Fish may not be filleted, nor their heads or tail fins removed, until the angler has checked out at the Mosaic creel station. Disposal of fish remains within Mosaic property is prohibited.
  • Taking of fish and wildlife with guns is prohibited.
  • Motor vehicles may be operated only on designated roads, parking areas and boat ramps.
  • Vehicles may not obstruct designated roads, boat ramps, gates or fire lanes.
  • Swimming and float tubes are prohibited.
  • Rough fish may be removed from designated lakes by cast nets and minnow seines by permission of the landowner.
  • Outboard motors more than 10 h.p. may not be used.

Regulations for individual Mosaic FMA lakes are as follows:

Haul Road Pit:

  • Black bass 16 inches in total length or longer must be released immediately.
  • Black bass bag limit: 2

LP2 West:

  • No boats permitted.
  • Open to fishing
  • All anglers shall enter at the Park main entrance, the designated entry point, unless otherwise instructed.
  • Angling from a boat is allowed by entry pass issued by Hardee County.
  • Angling from shore does not require an entry pass unless otherwise posted at the Park main entrance.
  • Days and hours of operation and quotas for freshwater fishing are posted at the Park main entrance. Fishing is permitted in designated lakes only. Any lake may be closed to public access by Hardee County for management purposes, or in the event that access to the lake exposes the public to danger, by posting notice at the Park main entrance.
  • Sunshine bass bag limit: 6
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed, until the angler has left the Park. Disposal of fish remains within Hardee County Park is prohibited.
  • Taking of fish and wildlife with guns is prohibited.
  • Motor vehicles may be operated only on designated roads, parking areas, and boat ramps.
  • Vehicles may not obstruct designated roads, boat ramps and fire lanes.
  • Swimming and float tubes are prohibited.
  • Watercraft are restricted to idle speed—no wake.

South FMA Regulations

FWC South Region

Plantation Heritage Park Lake (6 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Bluegill and redear sunfish less than 8 inches in total length must be released immediately.
  • Open to fishing
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Bluegill and redear sunfish less than 8 inches in total length must be released immediately.

Tropical Park Lake (11 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Bluegill and redear sunfish less than 8 inches in total length must be released immediately.

Caloosa Park Lake (4 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Black bass must be released immediately.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Bluegill and redear sunfish less than 8 inches in total length must be released immediately.

Lake Okeeheelee (157 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Panfish bag limit: 20
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6
  • Bluegill and redear sunfish less than 8 inches in total length must be released immediately.

Palm Lake (4 acres)

  • Open to fishing
  • Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
  • Channel catfish bag limit: 6