FWC reveals the 10 locations where PRIZE WINNING pink-tagged bass are swimming!
To celebrate season 10 of the TrophyCatch program, FWC biologists tagged 10 trophy-sized largemouth bass with bright pink tags! In this 10-TAG promotion, each angler who catches and documents a pink-tagged bass will win a $5,000 gift card to Bass Pro Shops, $1,000 to shop at AFTCO Fishing Apparel & Tackle - plus a chance to win an additional $10,000! The FWC recently divulged these ten secret fishing locations (*see below).
10-TAG RULES - TO QUALIFY FOR PRIZES YOU MUST:
• CATCH a bass with the pink BA$$ Tag, via hook and line.
• REMOVE and KEEP the pink BASS tag by cutting the tag close to the bass.
* PHOTO or VIDEO DOCUMENT the entire bass on a scale with a readable weight and submit it into TrophyCatch, according to TrophyCatch Rules: www.trophycatchflorida.com/rules.aspx.
• REPORT your tag by calling the phone number on the tag, and RETAIN the tag for prize verification.
• LIVE RELEASE the bass back into the same water system where it was caught.
• Anglers must follow all applicable State of Florida fishing regulations, including having a valid fishing license (or exemption).
* The TrophyCatch BA$$ promotion ends September 30, 2022.
* Any bass bearing BA$$ tags caught after September 30, 2022, receive a standard $100 tag payment.
* If a bass bearing a BA$$ tag is caught and weighs less than 8 pounds, the angler must still document the fish’s weight, according to TrophyCatch Rules, and submit it to TrophyCatch.
* Prizes, starting at $1,000, will be awarded at a ceremony following the end of the 10-TAG promotion.
* FWC employees including OPS are not eligible to win prizes. (OPS, or Other Personal Services employees, are hired to accomplish temporary or seasonal tasks.)
* Follow these 10-TAG rules, along with the TrophyCatch Rules here www.trophycatchflorida.com/rules.aspx.
*10-TAG FISH FISHING LOCATIONS:
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/lakes-and-rivers
1. Newnans Lake - Alachua County
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/nc/newnans-lake
Newnans Lake (5,800 acres) is located about 2 miles east of Gainesville on Highway 20. It is designated as a Fish Management Area (FMA). The most consistent fisheries on Newnans Lake are catfish and bream.
2. Lake George - Putnam & Volusia counties
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/ne/lake-george
George Lake is a 46,000-acre natural impoundment of the St. Johns River, with jetties located on the south end of the lake where the St. Johns River enters the lake. Most of the lake is less than 10 feet deep, but a natural channel provides navigation for larger boats. Public access can be obtained from Blue Creek Road to Lake George Road, off Highway 40.
3. Lake Talquin - Gadsden and Leon counties
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/nw/lake-talquin
Located just west of Tallahassee, this 8,800 acre reservoir is nationally known for its high quality black crappie (speckled perch) fishery. The best black crappie fishing occurs during January through April during the prespawn and spawning period. At certain times of year, largemouth bass, bluegill, redear, white bass, and striped bass fishing are excellent. Its average depth is 15 feet, with a maximum depth of 40 feet. There are 7 public boat ramps and 5 public fishing piers on the Leon County side of the lake (Highway 20). On the Gadsden County side, there are 3 public boat ramps and 2 public fishing piers.
4. Lake Walk-in-Water or Lake Weohyakapka - Polk County
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/sw/walk-in-water
This 7,528-acre lake is located south of State Route 60, 10 miles east of Lake Wales, off Walk-in-the-Water Road, in Polk County. Tiger Creek flows in from the southwest, and Weohyakapka Creek flows from the north end of the lake. Its maximum depth is 12 feet. Nationally known for largemouth bass fishing, for both large numbers and trophy-sized fish. There's a county boat ramp on the west shore, at the end of Boat Landing Road.
5. Tenoroc Fish Management Area (FMA) - Polk County
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/sw/tenoroc
Public Access: Open Friday-Monday, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during DST and 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during EST. Located northeast of Lakeland, Tenoroc is an old phosphate mine where 24 lakes, ranging in size from 7 to 227 acres, provide quality public fishing. All anglers are required to register at the area headquarters, where a daily use fee of $3 is charged. Tenoroc is nationally noted for largemouth bass and provides excellent fishing for panfish (bluegill and redear sunfish), black crappie and several varieties of catfish.
6. Lake Trafford - Collier County
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/s/lake-trafford
Lake Trafford encompasses about 1,500 acres. Fish species present in the lake include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and large brown bullheads. Access to Lake Trafford is mainly by boat. However, Ann Olesky Park, located at 6001 Lake Trafford Rd. in Immokalee, FL, provides some bank access along with a nice public fishing pier. Lake Trafford Marina and the park both have public boat ramps.
7. Lake Istokpoga - Highlands County
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/sw/lake-istokpoga
Located 5 miles northeast of Lake Placid, this 27,692-acre lake has quality fishing for black crappie (specks) and one of the highest largemouth bass catch rates in the state. The best speck fishing occurs during winter months drifting over open water, particularly in the northeast and southwest corners. Istokpoga Canal, located off County Highway 621, provides excellent largemouth bass fishing from the bank when the gates are open. Arbuckle and Josephine Creek mouths are also good areas when there is flow. The deepest portion of the lake, 10 feet, is in the southwest corner. There are three public boat ramps: on the north shoreline, located off U.S. Route 98; on the northeast shoreline, located at Lake Boulevard off Cow House Road (anglers can wade fish off of the Cow House Road boat ramp); and the southwest shoreline, located at Highland Lake Drive off County Route 621.
8. Lake Griffin - Lake and Orange counties - Harris Chain of Lakes
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/ne/lake-harris
Located northwest of Orlando, the Harris Chain of Lakes, totaling about 75,000 acres in Lake and Orange counties, is comprised of 8 primary lakes (Apopka, Harris, Griffin, Eustis, Dora, Beauclair, Carlton, and Yale). The Harris Chain of Lakes offers excellent fishing opportunities for all anglers, with over 30 public boat ramps and numerous public fishing piers. Fish populations include largemouth bass, black crappie, and bream (bluegill and redear sunfish).
Lake Griffin includes all Emeralda Marsh water bodies open to Lake Griffin, and includes all points lakeward of a boundary line delineated by: County Road 44 and Burrell Lock and Dam on Haynes Creek (formerly Haines Creek); County Road 464C at Moss Bluff Lock and Dam.
9. Lake Rousseau - Levy & Citrus counties
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/nc/lake-rousseau
An impoundment of the Withlacoochee River, as part of the original, uncompleted Cross Florida Barge Canal project. To the west is part of the uncompleted Cross Florida Barge Canal, leading to the Gulf. Lake Rousseau is located about 35 miles west of Ocala and 10 miles east of the Gulf Coast. It's approximately 12 miles long by 1 mile wide and covers an area of about 3,700 acres. The lake is full of cypress trees, pennywort islands and hydrilla, and offers bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish, black crappie and largemouth bass.
10. Johns Lake - Orange County
myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/fish-orlando
Johns Lake is a 2580 acre public lake located in Winter Garden, Florida within the Ocklawaha River Watershed, located about 6 miles east of Clermont Florida, 10 miles north of Orlando, about 1.4 miles west of the Florida Turnpike on Highway 50, and lays on the border of Orange County and Lake County. The ramp is capable of launching two boats at the same time, with a long floating dock where boats can be tied up, and a small area where you can beach your boat. Many areas of the lake are 12 feet deep or deeper, in some areas. Johns Lake offers docks for flipping and un-developed shorelines which provide bass fishing action.