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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC) not too long ago carried out two stocking initiatives – Florida Bass to Lake George and Yellow Perch to Lifeless Lakes.
These 2026 initiatives have been developed with the intention of restoring the fish inhabitants and serving to native fish flourish on one facet, and rebuilding vegetation to reestablish a once-thriving habitat on the opposite. Let’s take a better have a look at every stocking program under.
Florida Bass Stocking Initiative
The primary focus of this stocking initiative is to assist the St. Johns River system restore its potential. This area was well-known for its eelgrass, which offered the proper setting for fish and wildlife.
Sadly, hurricanes have drastically decreased vegetation protection lately and negatively impacted this habitat. In consequence, the FWC designed a number of initiatives to revive eelgrass, reintroduce crops, and rebalance the fish inhabitants.
Because of this, they stocked 300,000 Florida Bass into Lake George, which is a part of the St. Johns River system.
Stocking Overview
- Who: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC)
- What: 300,000 Florida Bass
- When: February and March 2026
- The place: Lake George (St. Johns River system)
- Why: To assist restore habitat
Yellow Perch Stocking Initiative
Identical to the St. Johns River system, the Florida Panhandle confronted the same destiny. Hurricane Michael hit the area in 2018 and severely impacted the realm, together with Lifeless Lakes close to Wewahitchka and its Yellow Perch inhabitants.
Since then, FWC biologists have been engaged on restoring the fish inhabitants. In 2024, the FWC stocked over 3,000 Yellow Perch in collaboration with the Georgia Division of Pure Sources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
This yr, they continued the stocking efforts by introducing 800 extra Yellow Perch to Lifeless Lakes.
Stocking Overview
- Who: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC)
- What: 800 Yellow Perch
- When: February 2026
- The place: Lifeless Lakes
- Why: To assist restore the fish inhabitants
Why must you care about stocking packages?
Stocking packages are necessary as a result of they assist restore ecosystems and assist wholesome fish populations. With Florida Bass and Yellow Perch, the FWC is engaged on rebuilding habitats impacted by hurricanes and enhancing the steadiness in Lake George and Lifeless Lakes.
In flip, these efforts profit not solely these our bodies of water and their underwater residents but additionally anglers, main to higher fishing alternatives total.
To learn extra in regards to the FWC’s stocking packages and fish hatcheries, go to the Florida Freshwater Fish Hatcheries web page.
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