NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA CANAL AND URBAN POND ANGLER

NEWSLETTER FOR THE SOUTH FLORIDA CANAL AND URBAN POND ANGLER
WELCOME TO THE PREMIER ISSUE OF THE "CITY FISHER!" Volume 1: October through December 1999

OUR PURPOSE: To identify excellent south Florida freshwater fishing opportunities and to provide urban anglers with relevant information that will enhance the quality of their outdoor experience.

WHO ARE WE?

This newsletter is a publication of the Community-Based Fishing Project of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This two-man project has been managing urban ponds, conducting fishing clinics, and organizing family fishing events for nine years. The project was recently combined with the Commission's Non-Native Fish Research Laboratory (NNFRL) and will continue with urban pond management, but will now be placing larger emphasis on promoting south Florida angling opportunities. The NNFRL, working primarily with exotic fishes in south Florida and best known for the successful introduction of peacock bass to the state, has also been moving towards more work in publicizing the excellent canal fisheries in southern Florida. "The City Fisher", although published by the Community-Based Fishing Project, will be drawing heavily on the NNFRL for content. This is who we are:

Community-Based Fishing Project

Ralph LaPrairie. Project member for 8 years and project leader since 1998.

John Cimbaro. The "new guy" with almost two project years under his belt and editor of "The City Fisher".

Non-Native Fish Research Laboratory

Paul Shafland. Leader of the project since 1975 and the driving force behind the state. s peacock bass program.

Kelly Gestring. Project scientist and half of the "force in the field," sampling fish with nearly 5 years of lab experience.

Murray Stanford. A fixture for 17 years and the other half of the field and lab workforce.

To contact The City Fisher, phone John Cimbaro or Ralph LaPrairie at (561) 791-4730, or write to either of us at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; 8535 Northlake Boulevard; West Palm Beach, FL 33412. Or contact John by email at john.cimbaro@MyFWC.com

NEW NEIGHBORS
Exotic Fishes

MAYAN CICHLID

STATUS: First recorded in Florida Bay in 1983, the Mayan cichlid is an established exotic and has recently begun expanding its range. It is now abundant in many water bodies, some as far north as Lake Osborne in Palm Beach County.

ORIGIN: Central America (Mexico to Nicaragua).

SIZE: To twelve inches and about one pound.

IDENTIFICATION: The broken lateral line and turquoise ring on the tail is diagnostic. The general coloration is olive-green with red on the chin, throat, and breast. Five to seven dark vertical stripes mark the body. Both sexes appear similar.

SIMILAR SPECIES: The oscar has a red ring on the tail and is rounder in shape and darker in color.

ANGLING QUALITIES: Some call the Mayan cichlid the "atomic sunfish"; it is omnivorous, taking a wide variety of natural and artificial baits. Live worms, grass shrimp, and crickets do well. Almost any small artificial, particularly jigs, fished on light tackle will serve the lure angler. Most flies, including wooly worms, streamers, and popping bugs will also take these enthusiastic feeders.

FLORIDA CRACKERS
— Native Fishes —

LARGEMOUTH BASS

SIZE: The state record of 17.3 pounds was caught in Polk County in 1986. Tournament data in south Florida show that 9- to 10-pound fish are caught in urban canals, but most larger fish are found in the Conservation Areas and Lake Okeechobee.

IDENTIFICATION: The streamlined body and large mouth of this popular sport fish make identification simple. Color is green with a dark, broken band running along the side.

SIMILAR SPECIES: While our north Florida neighbors have several nearly-identical bass to differentiate between, the largemouth is the only species found in south Florida.

ANGLING QUALITIES: This aggressive fish will strike almost any artificial, but plastic worms, minnow imitations, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and various topwater lures produce the most bass. Flipping with jigs or plastic worms in heavy vegetation will often take fish when other methods fail. Large golden shiners are by far the best live bait, but smaller minnows and live worms will also yield results.

FISH BIOLOGY

Peacock Bass
BUTTERFLY PEACOCK STOMACH ANALYSIS

Following the introduction of the butterfly peacock in Florida waters in 1984, biologists from the FWC's Non-Native Fish Research Laboratory sampled peacock bass from a variety of locations to assess how well this species was doing in its new surroundings. As part of this effort, stomach contents from over 550 butterfly peacock in the Tamiami Canal (C-4) were examined between 1994 and 1995. The results are shown below. (Not all fish stomachs contained food, and minor food items are not included).

Prey item	Number and percent of individual peacock bass containing prey item
Spotted tilapia	37 fish (24%)
Shad	26 fish (17%)
Brook silverside*	18 fish (12%)
Butterfly peacock	16 fish (10%)
Largemouth bass	15 fish (10%)
*The brook silverside is a small, slender minnow that rarely exceeds 4 inches in length.

It is clear that fish make up the vast majority of the butterfly peacock. s preferred diet; in addition, of all the fish identified within peacock bass stomachs, seventy-five percent were spotted tilapia. It is also interesting to note that butterfly peacocks consumed young of their own species as frequently as young largemouth bass. Similarly, largemouth bass in south Florida will consume young peacock bass in addition to their own young.

POND PROFILE

FEATURED: Tropical Fish Management Area.

LOCATION: Tropical Park, Miami. There are three ponds present; the pond under management is located away from the main road near the Boxing Center. Just follow the posted fishing signs!

SIZE: 12 acres.

FISH SPECIES PRESENT: Largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, and spotted tilapia.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Five fish feeders, annually-stocked channel catfish, and aeration system.

DIRECTIONS: Take Florida Turnpike to the SW 40^th Street (Bird Road) exit. Travel east to Tropical Park, which is on the south side of the road. You can also take S.R. 826 (Palmetto Expressway) to SW 40^th Street. Head west and get into the left-hand lane immediately to turn into the park.

CANAL CORNER

FEATURED: Tamiami Canal (C-4).

LOCATION: Wanders south and west of Miami International Airport in Dade County.

SIZE: Over 27 miles of interconnected canals and lakes.

FISH SPECIES PRESENT: Butterfly peacock, largemouth bass, snook, tarpon, bluegill, redear sunfish, spotted tilapia, oscar, and jaguar guapote.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Offering some of the most diverse freshwater fishing opportunities in Florida, the Tamiami Canal is one of the few waters in the state where an angler could conceivably land a butterfly peacock, largemouth bass, snook, and tarpon all in the same water body.

DIRECTIONS: Boat access is available only at Antonio Maceo Park. Take the Turnpike Extension or I-95 to Hwy. 836 (Dolphin Expressway). Head east from the Turnpike or west from I-95 to Red Road (NW 57^th Ave.) and turn south. Go half a mile and then turn left on NW 7^th St. Antonio Maceo Park will be on the left immediately before NW 51^st Ave.

NOTE: A detailed fishing map and more information is included in the "Angler's Guide to Tamiami Canal (C-4)" brochure available from the FWC. To request this brochure, write to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Non-Native Fish Research Laboratory; 801 NW 40^th Street; Boca Raton, FL 33431. This map is also available at the FWC website at:

http://FloridaFisheries.compdf/index.html#pdf

INTERVIEW
Frank Morello

FWC REGIONAL FISHERIES ADMINISTRATOR

Biographical Profile: Frank Morello currently supervises all FWC freshwater fisheries activities in the Everglades Region. His 25-plus years in the area have given him a great deal of experience with south Florida. s diverse freshwater fisheries. When not busy spearheading the Lake Trafford restoration project, Frank is usually either fishing or attending the latest cowboy shooting event.

City Fisher: Frank, how long have you been Regional Fisheries Administrator for the FWC in south Florida?

Frank Morello: I arrived in West Palm Beach in 1972 with an education in fisheries from Auburn University, Alabama. I started as a Fish Management Specialist and remained in the FWC. s Everglades Region, eventually being promoted in 1980 to my present position.

CF: What do you see as the most significant changes impacting our south Florida anglers in recent years?

Frank Morello: On the negative side, we've seen a dramatic rise in population, loss of aquatic habitat due to pollution or degradation, and loss of access to some fishing areas. On the positive side, advancements in fish management techniques and strategies have reduced or moderated negative impacts on some habitats and fish populations and provided improvements on others. This has been accomplished through lake restoration and enhancement projects and successful introductions of fish such as sunshine bass and butterfly peacock.

CF: What unique challenges do you see urban anglers in Florida facing?

Frank Morello: The urban angler. s fishing skills are truly challenged by the unique variety of gamefish available to pursue. Not only do you have the typically-found freshwater fish including largemouth bass and several varieties each of panfish and catfish, but also in many areas snook and tarpon which have infiltrated from saltwater. In addition, there are also rapidly-expanding populations of exotics such as the oscar and Mayan cichlid, most of which are established escapees of the pet industry.

Finally, there is the very popular butterfly peacock which was legally introduced by the FWC. At the same time, unfortunately, the urban angler is also challenged by limited boating and bank fishing access, as well as the lack of nearby parking sites in highly-developed areas.

CF: What role will urban angling sites such as residential or park ponds and canals play in the new Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission?

Frank Morello: The FWC recognizes the importance of urban angling opportunities and is addressing this issue by developing quality fishing and increased access by cooperating with county, city, and municipal agencies to improve or provide enhanced fishing opportunities. Examples include several urban Fish Management Areas located within park systems in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. In addition, fish management expertise developed by FWC biologists is available to be shared with interested governments, water management districts, and homeowner associations.

Aquatic education and fishing events are also organized to educate the urban angler on the "how to" and "when to" of fishing.

QUICK QUIZ

Spawning activity of largemouth bass in south Florida peaks during which three months?
Why does the redear sunfish also go by the local name of "shellcracker"?
Your new fishing buddy offers you the opportunity to either go night fishing for peacock bass, or snipe hunting (also at night . . . using a gunnysack and a flashlight). Which activity is more likely to produce results?

ANSWERS:

South Florida largemouths may spawn as early as December and as late as June, but the peak of activity is in January, February, and March.
The redear has specialized molarlike teeth in the back of its mouth for crushing open the shells of the snails and clams it prefers to feed on.
You may actually have a better chance of catching a snipe.although the method mentioned is not legal! Butterfly peacock do not normally feed at night, a fact confirmed by stomach content analysis of fish collected after 10 PM.

YOU ASKED FOR IT!

"I WAS BASS FISHING IN FRESHWATER AND LANDED A NICE SNOOK THAT HIT MY LURE. IT WAS OF LEGAL SIZE AND IN SEASON. COULD I KEEP IT?"

The July 1999 "Fishing Lines" newsletter from the Division of Marine Resources provides the following clarification: "The law says anyone who takes, attempts to take, or possesses marine fish for noncommercial purposes must have a saltwater fishing license." However, it also states: "You do not need a [saltwater] license if you are

. . . A Florida resident fishing for saltwater fish in freshwater from land or from a structure fixed to the land." Keep in mind that this applies to the saltwater license only, and that all requirements for a freshwater fishing license still apply. Concerning the snook permit ("snook stamp"), the newsletter states: "Snook permit required when saltwater license required." The following restrictions for snook spelled out in the Fishing Lines also apply:

· Minimum Size Limits: Not less than 26 inches or more than 34inches.

· Closed Season: Dec. 15 - Jan. 31 of each year & June, July, Aug.

· Daily Rec. Bag Limit: 2 per person per day.

Make sure you are familiar with all regulations provided in the Fishing Lines (and Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations) before going fishing. Rules governing traditional saltwater species change regularly, so be sure you have the latest newsletter!

Have a good question you would like to see answered here? Call John Cimbaro or Ralph LaPrairie at our fisheries office at (561) 791-4730.

Florida Seal

A NEW COMMISSION

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is a joining of two agencies formerly known as the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC) and the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC).

This merger took effect on July 1, 1999 and was made possible by voter approval in 1998 of Revision 5 to our state. s Constitution. At its first official meeting in July, the new agency selected Dr. Allen Egbert, Ph.D., former executive director of the GFC, to assume that same role in the FWC. The new FWC is ready to carry forward the proud legacies of both previous Commissions. The City Fisher represents our new agency's continuing focus on providing quality freshwater fishing, as well as pertinent information that will enhance that angling experience, to our south Florida anglers.

For a list of Tri-County Bait and Tackle Shops, click here.