The purpose of this rule amendment is to simplify black bass regulations statewide by reducing the number of water bodies with special regulations. The effect of this amendment will be to reduce the number of water bodies with special regulations ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-20.005Specific Fish Management Area Regulations

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule amendment is to simplify black bass regulations statewide by reducing the number of water bodies with special regulations. The effect of this amendment will be to reduce the number of water bodies with special regulations regarding the harvest of black bass while still continuing to provide a sustainable fishery.

SUMMARY: Chapter 68A-23, F.A.C. would be amended to include the recommendations that were made in the Black Bass Management Plan and presented to the Commission in June 2015. The amendment proposes to eliminate the three statewide management zones, reduce the number of specialized regulations from 58 to 16, and shift harvest from quality-size bass to more abundant smaller sizes to improve bass populations and enhancing angler satisfaction.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION: The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 10-11, 2016, 8:30 a.m. each day

PLACE: Florida Public Safety Institute Conference Center; 75 College Drive; Havana, FL 32333

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: the ADA Coordinator, at [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mr. Tom Champeau, Director, Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68A-20.005 Specific Fish Management Area Regulations.

(1) Northwest Region:

(a) through (h) No change.

(i) Lake Piney Z, Leon County:

1.through 4. No change.

5. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

5. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

6. Access prohibited from sunset until sunrise.

(2)North Central Region:

(a) No change.

(b) Lakes Lochloosa, Orange and Newnans, Alachua County:

1. and 2. No change.

3. Orange Lake, including waters lakeward (south and east) of County Road 346 and in waters west of U.S. Highway 301:

No person shall kill or possess any black bass that is 15 inches or more in total length and less than 24 inches in total length and no person shall take in any one day more than three black bass of which only one (1) may be 24 inches in total length or larger.

4. Lochloosa Lake, including Tadpole Creek, Lochloosa Creek, and Cross Creek:

No person shall kill or possess any black bass that is 15 inches or more in total length and less than 24 inches in total length and no person shall take in any one day more than 3 black bass of which only one (1) may be 24 inches in total length or larger.

(c) Suwannee Lake, Suwannee County:

1. through 6. No change.

7. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 18 inches in total length.

7.8. No person shall kill or possess any black crappie less than 10 inches in total length.

(d) No change.

(e) Watertown Lake, Columbia County:

1. and 2. No change.

3. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

3.4. No person shall take in any one day more than 10 black crappie. No person shall kill or possess any black crappie less than 10 inches in total length.

4.5. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

(f) Montgomery Lake, Columbia County:

1. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

1.2. Boats are restricted to idle speed-no wake.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 10 black crappie. No person shall kill or possess any black crappie less than 10 inches in total length.

3, 4. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

(g) Ronnie Van Zant Park Pond, Clay County:

1. through 6. No change.

7. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

7.8. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

(h) Lang Lake, Hamilton County:

1. and 2. No change.

3. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 18 inches in total length.

3.4. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

4.5. No person shall kill or possess any black crappie less than 10 inches in length.

5.6. Taking of fish or wildlife with firearms is prohibited, except by written permission of the landowner.

(i) and (j) No change.

(k) St. Augustine Road Ponds, St. Augustine Road, North Pond and South Pond – Duval County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms, possession of alcoholic beverages or use of cast nets is prohibited.

4.5. Access prohibited from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

(l) Oceanway Pond, Duval County:

1. through 3. No change.

4. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

4.5. Access prohibited from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

(m) Hanna Park Ponds, Duval County:

1. and 2. No Change.

3. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

3.4. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

4.5. Access prohibited from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

(n) Pope Duval East Pond, Duval County:

1. and 2. No change.

3. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

3.4. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

4.5. Access prohibited from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

(o) Pope Duval West Pond, Duval County:

1. through 3. No change.

4. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

4.5. Access prohibited from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

(p) Bethesda Pond, Duval County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms, possession of alcoholic beverages or use of cast nets is prohibited.

4.5. Access prohibited from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

(q) Huguenot Pond, Duval County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms, possession of alcoholic beverages or use of cast nets is prohibited.

4.5. Access prohibited from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

(r) Crystal Springs Park, Duval County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms, possession of alcoholic beverages or use of cast nets is prohibited.

4.5. The use of boats is prohibited.

5.6. Access prohibited from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

(s) Baymeadows, Duval County.

1. and 2. No change.

3. No person shall kill or possess any black bass less than 16 inches in total length.

3.4. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

4.5. Access prohibited from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

(3) Northeast Region:

(a) through (j) No change.

(k) Secret Lake Park, Seminole:

1. through 4. No change.

5. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

(l) through (w) No change.

(4) Southwest Region:

(a) through (d) No change.

(e) Saddle Creek, Polk County: Use or possession of cast nets is prohibited.

1. Use or possession of cast nets is prohibited.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass that is 15 inches or more in total length and less than 24 inches in total length.

3. No person shall take in any one day more than 3 black bass.

(f) No change.

(g) Webb Lake, Charlotte County:

1. and 2. No change.

3. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

3.4. Vehicles shall be used only on designated roads.

4. 5. Fishing shall be allowed only during designated hours as posted.

(h) Marl Pits 1, 2 and 3, Charlotte County:

1. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

1.2. Marl pits 1 and 3: No person shall kill or possess any bluegill or redear sunfish less than eight inches in total length. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

2.3. Marl Pit 2: No person shall kill or possess any bluegill or redear sunfish less than 10 inches. No person shall take in any one day more than 10 bluegill or redear sunfish.

(i) Tenoroc Fish Management Area:

1. No change.

2. Lake Crago:

a. Wire traps may be used for taking non-game fish.

b. Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9 a.m.

c. No daily bag limit for channel catfish.

d. Boats are restricted to idle speed-no wake.

2. 3. Specific regulations:

a. through d. No change.

e. Derby Lake: Daily bag limit for black bass shall be five per day, only one of which may be 16 inches or greater in total length.

(j) Lake Crago, Polk County:

1. Wire traps may be used for taking non-game fish.

2. Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9 a.m.

3. No daily bag limit for channel catfish.

4. Boats are restricted to idle speed-no wake.

(k) Freedom Lake Park, Pinellas County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. Swimming, taking of fish and wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

(l) Dover District Park Lake, Hillsborough County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. Swimming, taking of fish and wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

(m) Steven J. Wortham Park Lake, Hillsborough County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. Swimming, taking of fish and wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

(n) Al Lopez Park Lake, Hillsborough County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. Swimming or taking of fish and wildlife with firearms is prohibited.

(o) Walsingham Park Lake, Pinellas County:

1. through 3. No change.

4. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

4.5. No person shall kill or possess more than 20 bluegill and redear sunfish in aggregate.

5.6. No person shall kill or possess more than 10 black crappie. No person shall kill or possess any black crappie less than 10 inches in total length.

6. 7. No person shall kill or possess more than four sunshine bass or palmetto bass. No person shall kill or possess any sunshine bass or palmetto bass less than 10 inches in total length.

7. 8. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

(p) No change.

(q) Lake Istokpoga, Highlands County: Lake Istokpoga Fish Management Area including Arbuckle Creek south of HWY 98, Istokpoga Creek and Istokpoga Canal west of County Road 621, C41-A Canal west of S-68 water control structure and Josephine Creek east of Seaboard Coast Line Railroad:

1. Lake Istokpoga Fish Management Area including Arbuckle Creek south of HWY 98, Istokpoga Creek and Istokpoga Canal west of County Road 621, C41-A Canal west of S-68 water control structure and Josephine Creek east of Seaboard Coast Line Railroad: no person shall kill or possess any black bass that is 15 inches or more in total length and less than 24 inches in total length. No person shall take in any one day more than 3 black bass of which only one may be 24 inches or longer.

1.2. No daily bag limit for channel catfish.

2.3. Nongame fish may be taken by castnets, dip nets, seines, trotlines, set lines, bush hooks and wire traps as specified in Rules 68A-23.002, 68A-23.003 and 68A-23.004, F.A.C.

(r) Bobby Hicks Park Pond, Hillsborough County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. No person shall take in any one day more than 10 black crappie. No person shall kill or possess any black crappie less than 10 inches in total length.

4. 5. Swimming or taking of fish or wildlife with firearms is prohibited.

5. 6. No person shall operate any boat propelled by an internal combustion engine.

(s) Gadsden Park Pond, Hillsborough County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. No person shall take in any one day more than 10 black crappie. No person shall kill or possess any black crappie less than 10 inches in total length.

4. 5. Swimming or taking of fish or wildlife with firearms is prohibited.

5. 6. No person shall operate any boat propelled by an internal combustion engine.

(t) No change.

(u) Hardee County Park, Hardee County:

1. a. through d. No change.

e. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

e.f. Daily bag limit for sunshine bass shall be six.

f.g. Daily bag limit for panfish shall be 20, in the aggregate.

g.h. Daily bag limit for black crappie shall be 10. No person shall kill or possess any black crappie that is less than 10 inches in total length.

h.i. Daily bag limit for catfish shall be six, in the aggregate.

i.j. Fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed, until the angler has left the Park. Disposal of fish remains within Hardee County Park is prohibited.

j.k. Taking of fish and wildlife with guns is prohibited.

k.l. Motor vehicles may be operated only on designated roads, parking areas, and boat ramps.

l.m. No person shall park any vehicle in a manner that obstructs a road, boat ramp, gate, or fire lane.

m.n. Swimming or use of float tubes is prohibited.

n.o. All watercraft shall be operated only at idle speed.

(v) Largo Central Park Nature Preserve, Pinellas County:

1. No change.

2. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

2.3. No person shall take in any one (1) day more than twenty (20) panfish, in the aggregate.

3.4. No person shall kill or possess more than ten (10) black crappie. No person shall kill or possess any black crappie less than ten inches (10'') in total length.

4. 5. Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

(w) Edward Medard Park Reservoir, Hillsborough County:

1. Daily bag limit for largemouth bass shall be five, only one of which may be 16 inches in total length or longer.

1.2. No person shall use any gear other than hook and line or rod and reel to take and possess game fish and nongame fish species.

2.3. Persons possessing a valid freshwater commercial fishing license may use cast nets to catch nongame fish other than channel catfish from 12:01 AM Tuesday to 12:01 AM Friday.

3.4. Days and hours of operation, park entrance and other user fees shall be designated by Hillsborough County and posted at the park main entrance.

(5) South Region:

(a) No change.

(b) Lake Okeeheelee, Palm Beach County:

1. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

1.2. No person shall operate any boat propelled by an internal combustion engine.

2.3. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate. No person shall kill or possess any bluegill or redear sunfish less than eight inches in total length.

(c) The north most Tropical Park Lake, Dade County: No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate. No person shall kill or possess any bluegill or redear sunfish less than eight inches in total length.

1. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

2. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate. No person shall kill or possess any blugill or redear sunfish less than eight inches in total length.

(d) Plantation Heritage Park Lake, Broward County:  No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate. No person shall kill or possess any bluegill or redear sunfish less than eight inches in total length.

1. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

2. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in the aggregate. No person shall kill or possess any bluegill or redear sunfish less than eight inches in total length.

(e) No change.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2016

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED.  IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.R.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mr. Tom Champeau, Director, Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 25, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 11, 2016