Monday, November 26, 2012
Media contact: Gary Morse, 863-227-3830
Freshwater fishing regulations for Edward Medard Reservoir in Plant City will change on Jan. 1, 2013, when temporary restrictions on harvesting freshwater sport fish and catfish will expire.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting a public meeting to gather input on a new set of fishing regulations designed to protect the renovated reservoir’s rebounding fishery. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Turkey Creek Recreation Center, 5936 Connell Road, Plant City. Turkey Creek Recreation Center is approximately a quarter-mile north of Highway 60 off Turkey Creek Road.
An agreement between the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Hillsborough County and the FWC has the popular angling destination on course to become a Fish Management Area, with special restrictions on the harvest of freshwater sport fish.
“Public input is essential in helping us manage the Medard Reservoir fishery,” said Bill Pouder, FWC Regional Freshwater Fisheries Administrator. “We strongly encourage interested parties to attend and provide us with direction on fish management priorities for this water body.”
The FWC has already stocked more than 1.2 million fish in an effort to speed recovery of the lake’s fishery since the reservoir refilled after a flood-control project was completed in 2010.
For more information about fishing at Medard Reservoir, contact Paul Thomas with the FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management at 863-648-3811.