Meetings to be held Dec. 6 (in-person) and 13 &14 (online) on proposed bass regulation changes for Orange and Lochloosa lakes
FWC TrophyCatch bass photos.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will host three public meetings in December to discuss proposed regulation changes for Orange and Lochloosa lakes. These rule changes are part of the FWC’s Florida Trophy Bass Project (visit MyFWC.com/Fishing/Freshwater/FL-Trophy-Bass-Project) and intended to create conditions that increase the waterbodies’ potential to produce largemouth bass 15 pounds and heavier.
Proposed changes include:
*Requiring largemouth bass 20 inches or longer in total length to be released immediately.
*Requiring circle hooks when fishing with natural bait over 3 inches long.
*Allowing a potential state record bass to be possessed for the purpose of certification once FWC staff have been notified of the catch.
Meetings
The FWC will host one in-person and two virtual public meetings to provide additional information and receive stakeholder feedback.
One In-Person Meeting:
Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 6:00 p.m. ET
Sun Retreats Ocala Orange Lake (formerly Grand Lake RV Resort)
18545 NW 45th Avenue Road
Citra, Florida 32113 (next to the former Ocala Jai Alai)
Two Virtual Meetings:
Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 6:00 p.m. ET
Thursday, December 14, 2:00 p.m. ET
Participants will need a computer with an internet connection or a phone or tablet with the Microsoft Teams app installed to participate. If you would like to participate in a virtual meeting, email TrophyBass@MyFWC.com, provide your name, email address and phone number, and indicate which meeting you would like to join.
About the Florida Trophy Bass Project
To learn more about the Florida Trophy Bass Project, visit MyFWC.com/TrophyBass.