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Florida Freshwater Fish Hatcheries--Stocking Programs

Stocked Sign

Stocking summaries from Florida's two freshwater hatcheries are available in the list below. Also check out the interactive stocking map to see which species were stocked near you.

Links below show recent stocking histories and provide articles about hatchery operations.

MAP of Stocking Sites.

 

Species No. Produced
Bluegill fingerlings (Phase I) 280565
Sunshine bass (hybrid) subadults 0
Redear Sunfish Fingerlings 19350
Florida largemouth bass fingerlings 1500
Florida largemouth bass subadults (Advanced) 400965
Bluegill subadults (Phase II) 0
Sunshine bass (hybrid) fingerlings 774660
Striped bass fingerlings 525740
White Bass Fingerlings 0
Channel catfish fingerlings 415096
Channel catfish subadults 157345
Inland Silversides 0
Triploid Grass Carp 3092
Threadfin Shad 8000
Mosquitofish (Gambusia) 100000
Lake Chubsuckers 9520
Shoal Bass Fingerlings 3300
TOTAL PRODUCTION 2699133
Fingerling Stocking

The FWC operates two freshwater fish hatcheries for all of Florida.

The Florida Bass Conservation Center is the larger, more modern facility located on Withlacoochee State Forest, in Sumter County. It has a visitor's observation area with informative displays, conducts research, and produces the majority of freshwater fish that are stocked in public freshwaters throughout the peninsula. They are also equipped to do fish health analyses and to provide samples for genetic analyses.

The Blackwater Hatchery is located in Santa Rosa County and is primarily responsible for bass stockings in the panhandle, and production of striped bass and sunshine bass.

Completed Stocking Summaries

Hatchery Truck

Two recent articles about the 2014 stocking year and hybrid striped bass provide more detailed information.

The hatchery program plays a key role in implementation of the Florida Black Bass Management Plan, especially the Fish Management action steps. The following articles seek to provide insights into hatchery operations:

Primary Species Stocked:

  • Florida largemouth bass
  • Bluegill
  • Redear sunfish
  • Channel catfish
  • Striped bass
  • Sunshine bass
  • Triploid grass carp

YouTube Overview of the FBCC

Feed training is an important new hatchery technique pioneered by FWC biologists for growing bigger largemouth bass for stocking. These larger "Phase-II" bass have fewer predators and can eat a wider range of prey when stocked than standard stocking bass, increasing their survival rate and stocking effectiveness.

 

Wire Tagging Largemouth Bass

Wire tagging of these larger Phase-II largemouth bass is a method of marking largemouth bass for research and fisheries enhancement purposes. You can learn more from the video below.