NEWS RELEASE
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
July 26, 2000
CONTACT: Danon Moxley (863) 499-2421
FWC TAKES RESERVATIONS TO FISH HYDRILLA LAKE
Applications for fishing Tenoroc's fabled Hydrilla Lake for September through December are now available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The 46-acre phosphate pit at the Tenoroc Fish Management Area near Lakeland, is one of the nation's most highly touted and exclusive bass fisheries. Only one boat, containing no more than three anglers, is given exclusive access to the lake for a fee of $50 per angler.
Hydrilla Lake offers anglers an excellent chance to catch quality-sized bass. Catch results from the winter of 1999 reveal anglers caught at least one bass every hour. The catch rate averaged 25 fish per day. Additionally, 45 percent of the bass caught were 15 inches or greater in size and ranged from two to five pounds. Lunkers exceeding eight pounds were occasionally hooked.
"To maintain the quality fishery, there is no harvest of largemouth bass allowed on Hydrilla Lake. The harvest of other types of game fish and the use of motors is also highly regulated," said Tenoroc manager, Danon Moxley.
Reservations for fishing are being taken through an application system developed last year. According to Moxley, the large number of anglers interested in fishing Hydrilla Lake made the first-come, first-served phone system obsolete. There is now a random drawing system in place which will give everyone an equal chance of getting a reservation.
Applications for fishing Hydrilla Lake must be received in the FWC Tallahassee office by 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 1. The new application asks anglers to prioritize and list the three fishing dates they are most interested in. A list of angling days is provided on the application. Potential anglers can also select an "Any Date Available" box. This modification to the application was added so that anglers who are selected in the random drawing can be assigned an open date if their preferred dates have already been selected.
Applicants can apply as many times as they like; however, there is a $5 non-refundable application fee for each application submitted. All applicants, regardless of age, health, military status, or other consideration, are required to pay the $5 non-refundable application fee. No exemptions. Applications are available by calling the Tenoroc office at (863) 499-2421.
Most of the selected applicants will receive notification within two weeks after the Aug. 1 application deadline. Applicants selected in the random drawing will receive an invoice for the special-fishing opportunity fee. The invoice and appropriate fee must be received in the Tenoroc Fish Management Area office by 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 18. Anglers or guests with lifetime sportsman's licenses, lifetime freshwater fishing licenses or five-year freshwater fishing licenses issued before July 1, 1998 are the only ones exempt from paying the special-opportunity fees; however, they are still required to obtain a permit. If an applicant fails to respond by the Aug. 18 permit deadline, the unsold fishing date will be offered to the next applicant chosen in the random drawing process.
Each angler, with a confirmed fishing date, may bring up to two guests. Cost per guest is $50. Guest permits may be paid in advance or upon arrival at the Tenoroc Fish Management Office, either by cash or money order. Special-opportunity fishing permits may be transferred from one angler to another; however, an exempt permit cannot be transferred to a non-exempt angler without paying the appropriate fees. All anglers must have a valid Florida fishing license. Each angler, including guests, will be limited to one permit during this four-month fishing period.