Florida Fish Busters’ Bulletin May 2014 Freshwater fishing excels due to team effort By: Bob Wattendorf

This spring has proved exceptional for

freshwater anglers, but it is not just a matter of luck

or seasonal weather variances. Florida Fish and

Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists

regularly work with anglers, industry and other

scientists to provide optimum-sustained use.

Protecting and enhancing Florida’s freshwater fish

species and aquatic habitats is part of the FWC’s

mission and anglers help ensure success.

Funding for these efforts comes from a variety

of sources, including fishing license sales, Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration and

sale of the “Go-Fishing” largemouth bass tag.

Biologists routinely conduct electrofishing studies in which electric current is used

to stun fish, which are then collected, identified, documented and released. Biologists

and trained staff also collect creel data by interviewing anglers to see what they are

catching and how much time it takes to catch various sport fish. This type information is

combined and compared with results from previous years and other water bodies.

Unfortunately, those random sampling techniques tend not to account for some of our

most valuable fish – trophy largemouth bass.

Mark Detweiller shows off a properly documented TrophyCatch bass prior to releasing it back into Lake Toho.

“Filling that data gap is a major reason

for TrophyCatch,” says Tom Champeau,

director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries

Management. TrophyCatch

(TrophyCatchFlorida.com) is an incentive-

based conservation program that rewards

anglers for releasing bass heavier than 8

pounds. In addition to the direct benefits of

promoting catch-and-release of these older female bass, so they can be enjoyed by

other anglers, the verified data that is provided

is used as a form of citizen science.

In March alone, 145 verified Lunker Club

bass (8-9.9 lbs.), 54 Trophy Club (10-12.9 lbs.)

and 3 Hall of Fame bass over 13 pounds were

verified with photos and released. This

information, combined with electrofishing, creel

and other scientific measurements, help

biologists determine the best way to manage

trophy bass fisheries.

For instance, FWC stocked 3.5 million freshwater fish last fiscal year, including

approximately 300,000 largemouth bass. Aquatic vegetation management plans kept

waterways open for multiple uses, while native aquatic plant and other habitat

enhancement strategies improved habitat for fish and other wildlife. Other FWC

Proper documentation of the weight is critical for TrophyCatch, but length and girth data is also valuable when the fish can still be safely released alive.

All bass verified for TrophyCatch must me live released.

programs included building and repairing boat ramps and courtesy docks, placing fish

attractors and fish feeders, constructing fishing piers and providing fishing clinics for

youth.

The result is that Florida provides some of the best freshwater fishing in the

country, or the world for that matter. Specific to freshwater fishing, the latest national

survey, in 2011, reported that Florida had 1.2 million anglers. They enjoyed 26 million

days fishing (No. 2 Texas had 23 million), spending almost a billion dollars and

generating an economic impact of $1.7 billion that supported more than 14,000 jobs.

Perhaps what is most important is that those 26 million days of fishing equate to

100 million hours of healthy outdoor recreation. In a time when reports of sedentary

lifestyles are leading to an obesity crisis among not only adults but also young children,

providing fun, inexpensive ways to get outside and be active is increasingly important.

Freshwater fishing is available 365 days a year, with no closed seasons. An

average angler fishes 17 times a year for about four hours per trip, so based on a

annual resident fishing license costing only $17 that works out to just a quarter per hour

of fishing fun and maybe some high quality, fresh fish dinners.

Fishing license sales are the primary

source of funding for the Division of

Freshwater Fisheries. A program known as

Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration

(a.k.a., SFR, Wallop-Breaux or Dingell-

Johnson) was created, in 1950, as a user-

pays, public-benefits program to restore and

FWC uses Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration funding to provide boating access as well as fisheries conservation and research.

better manage America's declining fishery resources. Excise taxes on fishing

equipment, motorboat and small engine fuels, import duties, and interest are collected

and returned to the states to enhance recreational fishing and boating. These funds are

apportioned to states and territories based primarily on a formula that includes land area

and the number of paid license holders. As a result, each year Florida recovers about

$8 for each angler who buys a license.

Another great thing about SFR? It requires that all moneys spent

on fishing licenses in Florida go to FWC for conservation.

Consequently, you are guaranteed that not only will the $17 you spend

on an annual license go to conservation but approximately $8

additional dollars from SFR will be used to improve your fishing and

boating.

Although resident seniors over 65 years of age are exempt,

buying a license is still one of the simplest ways for them to contribute

to ensuring quality fishing for themselves and their grandchildren. Their purchase also

helps bring the taxes collected on their tackle purchases and motor boat fuel

expenditures back to Florida. Youth under 16 are also exempt, but a new license allows

them to buy a license at any age. It is valid until they turn 17, so they don’t actually

spend any more money than if they waited until they were 16. Besides the sense of

pride in being a card-holding member of the fishing community, the fact they have a

license allows FWC to claim the extra $8 for SFR each year from when they buy the

license until they turn 17.

Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration is widely viewed as the best example of a user-pays, public-benefits program.

The FWC understands these are your hard earned dollars. Consequently, we

make special efforts to get your opinions. Development of the Black Bass Management

Plan is one example where public meetings, surveys and indepth meetings with industry

leaders and anglers provided specific guidance for improving your fisheries. The

conversations and management plan led to creation of the TrophyCatch program and to

a reassessment of black bass regulations to develop the least-restrictive regulations

feasible to protect and enhance trophy bass fisheries and maintain healthy bass

populations statewide. This is an ongoing effort and the public is encouraged to

participate.

Florida is truly blessed with great fishing resources and a responsible

management approach. If you want to help, please be sure to respond to FWC surveys,

register for TrophyCatch, report fish tags, follow all fishing rules, ensure you have a

valid license, and report ongoing resource violations or impaired boaters to Wildlife Alert

(1-888-404-3922). When you buy your license (license.myfwc.com), you can also

choose to contribute to the Youth Hunting/Fishing Program campaign and help create

the next generation that cares.

Speaking about caring and fisheries

conservation – a simple way to contribute

and brag about being a proud angler is to

buy the beautiful “Go Fishing” largemouth

bass specialty plate for your car and boat trailer. You can do it at the tag office when

you replace your license tag, or simply go online to MyFloridaSpecialtyPlate.com/Go-

Fishing.html. You can even buy gift certificates for them now for Mother’s Day and

Father’s Day. The tags are a great present they will proudly display and remember for

years. The plate features a Florida bass, with a redear sunfish and bluegill swimming in

a bed of eelgrass. Buy yours today and help ensure the future of freshwater fishing in

Florida.

Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/License or by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356). Report violators by calling 888-404-3922, *FWC or #FWC on your cell phone, or texting to Tip@MyFWC.com. Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and select “more news,” or scr.bi/Fish-busters for more Fish Busters’ Bulletins. To subscribe to FWC columns or to receive news releases, visit myfwc.com/Contact.

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