Nature Coast

Around the bay

By RODNEY PAGE, Times Staff Writer
Published February 9, 2008

Fishing clinic being offered for children

A kids' fishing clinic will be held Feb. 23 at the Fort Island Gulf Beach fishing pier. The clinics are at 9 and 10:30 a.m. and noon. They are offered to help kids learn the basics of environmental stewardship, fishing ethics, angling skills and safety. Environmental displays will provide an opportunity to experience Florida's marine life firsthand. Registration is required for the free event. Call (352) 527-7677.

FWC changes fishing rules

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission passed rule amendments Wednesday to the state's freshwater recreational and commercial fisheries. Most of the changes are to lakes in the Orlando, Polk County and Lake Okeechobee areas, but a few are of interest to this area. One rule makes it illegal to use firearms to take fish on the 38 fish management areas in Florida. Another rule change redefined species that may be taken with a dip net, cast net (1-inch maximum stretched mesh), trap or minnow seine for use as bait. Those species are golden shiners of any size and other freshwater nongame fish (including catfish) less than 8 inches in total length, unless specifically prohibited. This replaces less-specific language that referred to minnows of nongame fish. For a complete listing of the rules changes, including size limit changes to fish in Lake Okeechobee, go to www.myfwc.com.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

[Last modified February 8, 2008, 20:32:56]