Biscayne Bay and Indian River Lagoon

A woman stands in knee-deep water holding a bucket that is partially submerged. The bucket is releasing small fish into the water.

The FWC marine stock enhancement program began releasing hatchery-reared red drum in late 1988. Since then, over six million hatchery-reared red drum have been stocked statewide. These stockings occurred on both coasts of Florida with most of the fish released in Tampa Bay.

Biscayne Bay

From April 1990 to December 1999, the FWC marine stock enhancement program released over 1.6 million juvenile red drum and 14 adult red drum.

Indian River Lagoon

From February 24 and December 17, 1999, the FWC stocked eight groups of hatchery-reared red drum (11,362) at six sites in two geographic locations in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). The sites in the North IRL included Thousand Islands, Mullet Creek, and Long Point Park. The sites in the vicinity of the St. Lucie River included Blind Creek, Herman's Bay, and Five Fingers (in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River). The average total length of the fish stocked was 13.3 inches and the average weight was 0.82 pounds.