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Highlands Today

Istokpoga spraying on least windy sides until end of May

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By DAVE DOUGLASS

Highlands Today

Published: May 3, 2009

We enter the week of a waxing full moon, which occurs at 4:01 a.m. on Saturday. The daytime feeding migrations dissipate both in duration and intensity this week, and at best reach a 1-10 scale rating of 5 unless weather conditions trigger fish to feed more during the two peak periods, in which case expect a 6 rating.

There are two daytime periods to go fishing during the next three days. Both are exactly the same time, 12 hours apart: 6 a.m./p.m. to 9 a.m./p.m. with peak feedings from 7-8 a.m./p.m.

The nighttime bite will steadily improve as more and more fish feed by the increasing light of the waxing moon. If the weather forecast holds true for the week, the nights should be clear which will really turn the fish "on" for nighttime anglers and "off" for daytime anglers.

Fishing Flash

Lake Istokpoga news: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission began conducting herbicide treatments of aquatic plants using airboats this week, and will until May 31. Treatment could be extended pending weather conditions.

A maximum of 200 acres of various targeted aquatic plants - cattails, water primrose, Burhead sedge, pickerelweed, torpedo grass, and spatterdock - within the shallow-water shoreline areas will be selectively treated to promote diversity of native emergent and submersed plants and provide areas for fish and wildlife use as well as recreational access.

There are three areas of shoreline targeted: On the north end from Lykes Cove eastward to the route 98 Istokpoga Park area, from the northeast corner southward to the Istokpoga Canal, and from the middle of the West Wall southward to the Windy Point boat ramp at the southwest corner of the lake.

One other note regarding the FFWCC's lake management: As most people know, I am a firm believer that taxpayers hold government accountable for the services they pay for. You will note that I stated the aquatic weed treatment started on April 29, which happens to be the same day that FFWCC provided the information and map.

Because of the extremely short 24-hour notice, maps at the boat ramps won't be available until one week into the project. For this reason, I can't tell you where they will start, however one fact is sure, if there is wind over 15 mph, the treatments will be on the least windy side of the lake and if there is no wind expect the West Wall area to have treatments going on.

Steve Gornak of FFWCC will be supervising the lake management plan, please refer to the contact information near the end of this article if you would like to contact him for more information.

Lake Istokpoga's level is currently at 38 feet, 2 inches above sea level, which is four or five inches below where the lake was last year on this date.

In the last two months the lake has dropped one foot. On June 1 the maximum high pool level is 38 feet 3 inches so the lake is not really any lower than the norm at this point.

However, if we continue to not have normal rainfall during May, the lake may be very close to the low pool yearly scheduled level of 37.5 feet above sea level.

Let's hope that our rainy season is at least as good as last year's rainy season. The National Weather Service is not predicting a very good forecast and is predicting less than the average number of hurricanes for this year's season.

I'd pay extra this year to see the weatherman's forecast be 100% wrong - say, two tropical storms, and 50-percent above-average rainfall during the rainy season.

It goes without saying that if we have a less-than-normal rainy season and no so-called "extreme weather events," our lakes will be back to the low drought-levels of a year ago.

If this takes place, Highlands County fishing guides might was well team up and open the "Florida Largemouth Bass Museum" in Sebring, because that's the only place you'll find trophy-sized bass and not ruin your boat props in the process.

Your Lake Manager's Contact Information

Clell Ford, Lakes Management Specialist - Highlands County, 4434 George Blvd, Sebring, Florida 33875. Phone: 863 402 6545, Email: Cford@hcbcc.org

Vicki Pontius, Parks and Recreation Director - Highlands County, 4344 George Blvd. Sebring, Florida 33875. Phone: (863)402-6812, Email: VPONTIUS@hcbcc.org

Steven Gornak, Biological Scientist IV, Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Sub-Section, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, 3991 SE 27th Court, Okeechobee, FL 34974. Phone: (863) 462-5190 (SunCom 761-5190), Fax: (863) 462-5194 (SunCom 761-5194), Mobile: (863) 697-6256, Email: steven.gornak@myfwc.com

Tournament News

Note Change - The Monday Morning Lake "Josephine" Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public and launches every Monday morning at 8 a.m. with weigh-in at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $10 per boat with a "winner-take-all" payout. One person or two per boat, three legal (more than 14 inches) bass per boat, and one bass over 22 inches per angler. For information, call Paul Tardiff at 863-385-8007 (home) or 863-273-4062 (cell).

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is May 6 at Lake June, 7:30 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp - entry fee is $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) or 863-273-4062 (cell), email bassbutchie60@aol.com or call Dwight Ameling at -863-471-3305.

Dave Douglass is a bass-fishing guide and CEO of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes, Inc. He can be reached at 863-381-8474, HighlandsBassAngler.com, or e-mail him at davidpdouglass@hotmail.com.

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