FWC CLOSES SMITH LAKE TO FISHING UNTIL 2006

February 4, 2004
CONTACT: Fred Cross (850) 265-3676

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), meeting today in Amelia Island, agreed to close Smith Lake Fish Management Area, in Holmes County, to all fishing until May 2006.

Commissioners were briefed on Division of Freshwater Fisheries efforts to restore fish habitat in the 160-acre lake near Bonifay.  Fisheries biologists either have stocked, or soon will stock, thousands of bluegill, shellcracker, channel catfish and largemouth bass into the lake, owned by the Holmes County Development Commission.

“The lake was in pretty rough shape initially,” said Fred Cross, FWC regional fisheries biologist in the Northwest Region.  “There were years of accumulation of decaying organic plants and silt that blanketed the lake bottom, and the net result was poor fish habitat.”

Cross said in 2001 large pumps were used to pump the lake down in an effort to dry out the bottom and muck layer.  He said the muck material was scooped up from 30 percent of the lake’s bottom and hauled away.  In addition, the dam and water-control structures have been rebuilt.

Cross said the lake is about half filled but should be completely filled this spring or summer if the area receives normal rainfall.  When the lake reopens to fishing, Cross said, the bass, bream and catfish will be harvestable size.  As a convenience to anglers, several earthen fishing fingers will provide bank-fishing opportunities.

SK:OIS