Freshwater Programs
Aquatic Plant Management
The aquatic plant management program designs, funds, coordinates, and contracts invasive non-native aquatic plant control efforts in Florida's 1.25 million acres of public waters.
Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration
FWC's Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Section has the responsibility of restoring, enhancing and managing many of these publicly owned aquatic resources.
Fish Management Areas
A fish management area is a pond, lake or other body of water established for the management of freshwater fish as a cooperative effort with the local county. The Fish Orlando program is a prime example of quality fishing being provided in an urban setting.
Pond Management
Florida has more than 7,700 named lakes over 20 acres and countless ponds from 1-20 acres. Many of those smaller ponds are on private property. Such ponds, if properly managed can provide wonderful, fishing, birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. However, the management of the ponds should take into account important conservation principles to prevent doing more harm than good.
Florida Bass Conservation Center
The Florida Bass Conservation Center is at the site of the old Richloam Hatchery and is the major freshwater fish production hatchery, in the state of Florida, supplying fish such as largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bream, triploid grass carp, striped bass and sunshine bass.
Sport Fish Restoration
Do you: Buy fishing gear? Fuel up your boat? Purchase a fishing license? Every time you do these things, you are helping to improve your fishing experience. You are among the many anglers and boaters who support the Sport Fish Restoration Program. This national program, managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, collects money from excise taxes on fishing equipment, import duties on fishing equipment and boats, taxes on motorboat and small-engine fuels. The revenue collected is used to create future fishing and boating opportunities.
Fish Handling Guidelines and Angling Ethics
Angling ethics is an issue that should be important to every individual who utilizes Florida's fisheries resources for any reason. And always remember to "Stash the Trash!"
Wetland Habitat
Managing wetland habitat is critical to providing the greatest quantity and highest quality of habitat possible to support Florida's waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife.
Blackwater Fisheries Research and Development Center
The Blackwater Fisheries Research and Development Center stocks fish in Florida's fresh waters.