NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

January 8, 1998

CONTACT: Lt. Joy M. Hill (352) 732-1225 or
Scott Hardin (850) 488-4068

SEVEN NEW FISH MANAGEMENT AREAS ESTABLISHED FOR FISH ORLANDO!

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has taken the first steps toward providing enhanced fishing opportunities in the greater Orlando area by establishing seven new fish management areas as part of its ambitious new Fish Orlando! program.

Effective January 1, 1998 the following lakes were established as fish management areas with specific regulations designed to increase fishing success for anglers: Underhill, Clear, Cherokee, Lawne, Turkey, Estelle and Beauty.

"The lakes will all have several regulations designed specifically to improve the quality and quantity of fish available for anglers to catch," said the FWC's Scott Hardin, organizer of Fish Orlando!.

All of the lakes except Lake Lawne will be catch and release for bass. Statewide bag and size limits for bass will apply in Lake Lawne.

All of the lakes will have a daily bag limit of 20 panfish (including black crappie, unless otherwise noted) and 6 channel catfish.

Lake Estelle, whose management plan objective is to produce a quality bluegill and black crappie fishery, will have a minimum length limit of 8 inches for bluegill and redear sunfish, and 10 inches for black crappie. In addition there will be a daily bag limit of 10 black crappie (not included in the panfish aggregate). This 10-inch length limit and 10-fish bag limit for crappie also applies to Lake Lawne, whose management plan objective is to produce a quality black crappie fishery.

Effective January 1, 1998, anyone ages 16 through 64 will be required to possess a valid Florida fishing license in order to fish these lakes, unless exempted by law. Licenses can be purchased at county tax collectors offices, bait and tackle stores, or with a credit card by calling toll-free 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA.

Signs provided by either the City of Orlando Bureau Streets and Drainage, or Orange County Parks and Recreation Department will be posted at each lake listing the name of the lake and its specific regulations.

Fish Orlando! is a new FWC program whose focus is to improve and encourage fishing in the greater Orlando area. Its goal is to establish partnerships with local businesses, civic organizations and governments to build fishing piers, stock fish, provide handicapped accessible fishing areas, and to hold fishing clinics, contests and educational workshops. For more information on the program please call the special Fish Orlando! line at (407) 317-7009 or Hardin at (850) 488-4068.