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Highlands Today

Timing Of Hydrilla Spraying A Concern

DAVE DOUGLASS/Highlands Today

The big fish hole on Lake Istokpoga has plenty of hydrilla.

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By DAVE DOUGLASS

Published: October 8, 2007

A sad day of fishing started when I arrived at my first hole, only to discover the area had been sprayed recently — to kill Hydrilla.

I left, and upon arriving at hole number two, clearly revealed the same exact scenario — dying Hydrilla and no bass anywhere. I found myself wishing the lake management agencies would have marked the treatment areas in order to provide the anglers some form of warning alerting them to the fact — fish are unresponsive due to the chemical's affect — shutting down the metabolism and need for food because of low oxygen levels.

Citizens/business owners of Highlands County who live on the lake or travel to the lake, plan and work hard to make a living providing people/customers with a fantastic experience. People don't want to waste their money and time and — for good reason — form a bad opinion of Lake Istokpoga management policy, resulting in not returning to the lake and spreading the word of their disappointment accompanied with a suggestion to use other lakes. Instead, everyone desires to be informed on all matters of lake management events to enable them to have a choice. Knowing exactly the areas managed allows everyone to plan a successful event — money well spent, and therefore a positive opinion.

Most everyone understands Hydrilla chemical treatments are essential to responsible management plans, but the majority of objections stem from not knowing when, where, and to what extent, treatment was done. Knowing ahead of time would be very beneficial and appreciated. Respect goes both ways on this subject — lake users spend money twice, first in using the lake, second in tax dollars paid to manage the lake — which ultimately works against them in this situation. Knowing all the information regarding the chemical treatment locations in advance allows hard-earned money to work on behalf of the taxpayer — as it should. The lake maintained at the highest level of responsibility, in turn provides the user with the most usage for his dollar. In the end, the lake management agency reduces negative feedback instead of stimulating it, and promotes positive lake usage experiences.

Marking Hydrilla treatment areas is essential in sustaining the purpose for which tax dollars are collected, namely, to provide the best fishing lake in Highlands County as well as the state. In the end, the lake user experiences for his money, a great experience and plans to return again. The lake home/business owner experiences positive results both in business, residence — which his tax dollars provided. And last but in no way least, the Highlands County agency and employees who management the lake are esteemed as essential and beneficial to the highest degree.

Other News

S.O.S. Florida Lakes Inc is having their next Open Public Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. at the Lorida Civic Center in Lorida. The subjects are "Hydrilla Lake Management," and "Istokpoga Levels." Guest speakers addressing Hydrilla issues are Vicki Ponius and Carl Smith from Highlands County and representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. SOS V.P. will be addressing lake levels. They hope to see you there. Let's work together to create lake management at it's finest.

Visit their Web site for more information at www.sos-floridalakes.org or www.istokpoga.info
Remember to check your boat when loading after using a lake with Hydrilla. Let's make sure not to carry it to other lakes. A little prevention by all of us costs us less money in a long run.

Tournament News

Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next Event: Oct. 10 on Lake Josephine. Time: 7 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp — entry fee $30 per boat. One person may fish alone if you do not have a partner. For information, contact Paul Tardiff at (863)385-8007 Home, Cell (863) 446-1310 bassbutchie60@aol.com or Dwight Ameling at (863) 471-3305.

Dave Douglass is a Bass fishing guide and teacher, Bass tournament fisherman and also an officer of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes, Inc. You can reach him at (863) 381-8474, e-mail davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org or visit the Web sites reds-bass-fishing-guides.com and sos-floridalakes.org/.

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