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.
“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 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 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.
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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