Fish Busters Bulletin; April 2010 By Bob Wattendorf

Bass are on the beds and on our minds

Spring is here and the bass are on their beds. The males have been fanning out beds preferably on firm lake bottoms with plenty of nearby vegetation. If they are successful in their amourous intents to entice a female to join them, theyll soon be spending time guarding the nest
Spawning bass shot by master underwater photographer Glen Lau (See shop.wildlifeflorida.org to buy prints or DVDs and support the Florida Bass Conservation Center).

and fanning tens of thousands of eggs to keep them oxygenated. This annual ritual is not only dependent on the sexual appeal of the individual bass, but also on the quality of the environment in which they live, the vagaries of weather, and impacts of man. Environmental quality for Floridas premier freshwater sportfish include the purity of the water, firm sandy bottoms free of dense muck layers on which to deposit their eggs, vegetation for the young fry (baby fish) to hide in, and plants to attract insects that the young bass will soon be pursuing. It also entails the levels of the water and how fast those waters rise or fall. Bass like to build their nests in 2-4 feet of water so a sudden drop can expose the nests; floods from heavy rains also can impact hatching success. Anglers also can potentially impact this spawning ritual, which is a constant concern for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) fisheries biologists charged with

ensuring these fish populations are sustained while providing recreational opportunities for more than 1.4 million anglers, who enjoy more than 24 million bass fishing trips a year in Florida and bolster the economy by $1.4 billion dollars. Thats a huge challenge that is always varying and requires different approaches in many of Floridas 7,700 lakes, which comprise 3 million acres of water, plus 12,000 miles of rivers, streams and canals. FWC biologists approach this challenge by attaining basic population information by electrofishing and other direct sampling techniques, plus conducting creels to talk to anglers about what
This big bass came from Wildcat lake in April 2009.

they are actually catching and harvesting (or

releasing). They then work with water management districts to attempt to adjust water schedules to ensure water levels are where they should be during the spawn and to fluctuate adequately to cleanse and rejuvenate our lakes. Meanwhile, cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection helps to monitor water quality and reduce pollution problems. The FWCs own Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is enlisted to help with major habitat enhancement projects. Similarly, by coordinating with the Aquatic Plant Management Section, which recently came back to the FWC from DEP, biologists hope to improve aquatic plant management efforts to better incorporate the needs of freshwater fish and anglers, while still providing effective, efficient control on nonnative plants. The

FWC also has two hatcheries that provide quality, disease-free, genetically appropriate bass for stocking when nature fails to produce an adequate year class of baby bass, or when new or reflooded water bodies need a quick start. These biologists also use knowledge of the fisheries, along with public input, to modify fishing regulations when necessary to ensure quality, safe and sustainable bass fishing for current anglers and future generations. By working closely with the FWC Division of Law Enforcement they help ensure those rules are implemented effectively. Part of that effort includes informing the public of the rules, why they are necessary and how through conservation stewardship and ethical angling practices the public can help achieve those goals. Education and outreach efforts also try to reconnect Floridians of all ages with nature to provide proven benefits that lead, as the Get Outdoors Florida! Coalition, and Children and Nature Network state, to happier, healthier and smarter lifestyles. One of the current research efforts underway by biologists from the FWCs Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and the University of Florida is a statewide largemouth bass research study. Scientists hope to learn how frequently bass are caught and harvested and more about the size range of fish caught. The results of this study will provide critical information needed to manage the fishery for quality and trophy-sized largemouth bass. Bass in 30 lakes throughout the state have been tagged with small, yellow tags along the back of the fish, just below the dorsal fin. These tags carry a printed telephone number, e-mail address, tag number (e.g., LMB 0001) and reward value.

Anglers should carefully examine all bass caught in Florida lakes for reward tags, as biologists have tagged fish in numerous lakes throughout the state. To claim their reward, anglers are encouraged to report these tags to the FWC Angler Tag Return Hotline. The FWC is also working with BountyFishing.com, to gain additional information about big bass being caught throughout Florida and monitors results from all permitted bass tournaments. With all of this going on, the FWC has decided it is time to have a coordinated,
Bass in 30 Florida lakes have been tagged. (FWC photo by Janice Kerns)

published long-term management plan for black bass (largemouth bass, shoal bass, spotted bass and Suwannee bass). To learn more about the evolving bass management plan visit MyFWC.com/Fishing. Check out the information in the yellow box, and complete the online survey to let us know what you think should be done to provide the type and quality of bass fisheries that you want for yourself and future generations. Dont forget your fishing license fees and excise taxes that you pay on fishing tackle and motorboat fuels fund all of these efforts (the funds are returned to the FWC from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based on the number of paid license holders in Florida). As a way to thank anglers for their contributions and to work

with industry partners, the FWC is currently offering a special 5-year freshwater fishing license bonus program. Until 3,000 boxes full of free tackle, publications and fishing accessories are distributed, anyone buying a 5-year freshwater fishing license will receive the bonus automatically in the mail. A 5-year license costs just $79, plus a convenience fee, but in return you know the fees wont increase while you have your license, and you dont need to worry about renewing for five years. For most anglers, that amounts to barely a dollar per fishing trip, or about one quarter per hour, for healthy, relaxing recreation that allows you to connect with your family and friends in a fun, stress-free environment and maybe even take home a free meal or two. Five-year licenses are available online at MyFWC.com/License and via the toll-free phone number, 888-347-4356. In addition, they may be purchased at any license agent, such as retail stores that sell fishing supplies and bait-and-tackle shops or at local county tax collectors offices. For information about local fishing opportunities, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing, where you can also verify that you will be one of the first 3,000 and see all of the bonus package contents.

Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/License or by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA (3474356). Report violators by calling *FWC or #FWC on your cell phone, or 888-404-3922. Visit

http://www.myfwc.com/Fishing/ for more Fish Busters columns, fishing tips, rules and
forecasts.