The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has stocked nearly 300,000 Florida bass into Lake George, located in the St. Johns River system.
The stockings occurred during February and March. FWC fisheries staff at the Florida Bass Conservation Center Richloam Fish Hatchery spawned and raised the bass fry to approximately a quarter inch long prior to release.
Lake George and the broader St. Johns River system historically supported substantial submerged aquatic vegetation, including eelgrass, which serves as critical habitat for fish and wildlife. In recent years, hurricanes and other environmental factors have reduced vegetation coverage.
To aid in habitat restoration, FWC biologists are actively working to reestablish eelgrass and other submerged plants through ongoing efforts aimed at rebuilding vegetation.
For more details on FWC’s fish stocking activities, visit MyFWC.com/Freshwater and select the “Freshwater Stocking” tile.
For additional information about the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, contact Michelle Kerr at 850-510-4776 or Michelle.Kerr@MyFWC.com.
SOURCE: FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
