Lake management plans released for Harris/Kissimmee chains & Lake Okeechobee
L-R: FWC photos of Harris Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and Lake Okeechobee.
The FWC has released its draft goals and objectives for Lake Management Plans for the Harris Chain of Lakes, the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and Lake Okeechobee for review prior to focus group sessions that will be held this summer to discuss these first draft plans. View the draft goals and objectives here: myfwc.com/conservation/management-plans/lake/.
For more information about the FWC’s Lake Management Plans, email Ryan Hamm at Ryan.Hamm@MyFWC.com.
The public can also provide feedback at the following email adresses:
HarrisChain@MyFWC.com
KissimmeeChain@MyFWC.com
LakeOkeechobee@MyFWC.com
FWC’s Lake Management Plans are meant to be comprehensive, covering management activities within the FWC’s jurisdiction, such as a system’s fish, wildlife and habitats, and also providing recommendations to partner agencies on items outside of that jurisdiction, such as water levels and water quality. FWC management activities can include, but are not limited to, habitat protection, restoration and enhancement, fish management, and invasive plant management.
For general waterbody information, fishing forecasts, virtual tours, plant control operation schedules and annual workplans, boat ramp information and more, visit the “What’s Happening on My Lake” website here: MyFWC.com/Lake.
HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES
The Harris Chain of Lakes is a series of natural lakes that form the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River in Lake and Orange counties in Florida. It is composed of 10 lakes: Apopka, Harris, Griffin, Eustis, Dora, Beauclair, Carlton, Yale, Denham and Trout lakes that have a combined total of more than 75,000 acres of surface area. The chain is an important resource that offers recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, boating and wildlife viewing.
KISSIMMEE CHAIN OF LAKES
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes is located within Osceola County, Florida, and forms the headwaters of Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades and Florida Bay. It is composed of four major lakes (Tohopekaliga, Cypress, Hatchineha and Kissimmee) totaling approximately 65,000 surface acres. The chain is internationally known for its recreational and commercial value for angling, hunting, birding, boating and more.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE
Spanning roughly 730 square miles, Lake Okeechobee is Florida's largest lake and the second largest body of fresh water in the contiguous United States. The lake is known for its shallow depth and extensive marsh system, supporting world-renowned largemouth bass and black crappie fisheries, commercial fisheries, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities. Lake Okeechobee and its wetlands are at the center of a much larger Greater Everglades watershed and play a key role in the region's ecology, flood protection and water supply.