Strongest Full Moon Brings Strong Fishing Later Each Day

Today through Saturday should prove to be the best fishing days of this month due to the full moon, which happens on Friday at 4:37 p.m. It will be the strongest of full moons because the moon is closest to the earth on the same day.

The main daytime feeding migration will occur from 8:30 a.m. and end at noon today. Each day this same migration will increase in intensity and duration and start about 30 minutes later, so that by Saturday it will start at 11 a.m. and end by 3 p.m.

The recent cold front (I've had to say this each week for the last five weeks) will most certainly challenge anglers in their search for a concentration of fish. However, with some perseverance over the next four days, success is likely to be achieved - or at least the highest percentage of probability is to be expected.

The weather forecast predicts a mild cold front arriving tomorrow during the day and that today the high daytime degree will reach the mid-80s. Both factors will trigger a large feeding migration all day today which will last until the front moves in tomorrow.

So be on the water any time today and very early tomorrow morning and you'll have an excellent day on the lake. Fish will feel the warm front we are experiencing today and feed heavily until it ends sometime in the afternoon tomorrow.

Fishing Flash

I would like to clarify my remarks in last Sunday's article, based on some of the constructive feedback I received early in the week.

The lake management agencies do currently provide notices, maps, and information, through newspapers, local conservation organizations, and boat ramp kiosks, both prior to the treatment event and the day or two following the event. My main point is that this fine work needs to be continued much longer than the current 1-2 day public boat ramp notices - maps and information sheets provided in kiosks at boat ramps.

Herbicide treatments take time to completely finish killing the intended target plant areas. Plants do not die in a matter of days and then simply vanish, having no noticeable affect on the lake area. Instead what actually takes place is a decomposition of the dying plant which produces a decline in oxygen and a elevation in water column turbidity. Both of these natural after-treatment affects, significantly diminish the "fishability" of those areas and areas downwind-which changes as much as the wind changes directions daily.

Lake Users over a 30-day period differ vastly from the users who do have information available during the first few days of the initial treatment event. Users using the lake a week later or even just three of four days later are uninformed and end up wasting time and money which would not have occurred if only they had access to lake management information maps at the boat ramps.

On Monday, I spoke with Steve Gornak of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC), who has overall management responsibility for Lake Istokpoga week management programs. Steve worked positively with me on the development of a program which will provide the necessary information for three of four week following the treatment events. He assured me that my concerns would be addressed fully and thanked me for my involvement and concern.

Also on Monday, I spoke with Vicki Pontius of the Highlands County Parks and Recreation Department. She also worked with me several hours in developing a plan which would work with the FFWCC and their office in providing mapping and information for as long as was needed - until the treatments had no more influence in diminishing fishing areas affected by herbicides. Her professionalism was of the highest level and her assurances to see it through to the satisfaction of the lake users was clearly her highest priority.

My apologies if anyone who read last Sunday's column thought I was insinuating that either agency was in neglect regarding their responsibilities. Rather, what I intended was to alert everyone involved to the needs of the lake users attempting to use the lake for the duration of the entire treatment process which last closer to a month than to two or three days.

I have said it before and I will say it again now: Lake management agencies are essential and highly successful with the plans they have developed over the year. As with all lake management plans, adjustment need to be constantly reevaluated and adjusted. Adaptive plant management is a process that never ends due to environmental challenges.

Being a part of a proactive collaborated lake management process is the responsibility of Lake Users, for without the users input, the agencies which we the people elected to serve on our behalf can not succeed at the highest level possible.

The government starts to fail its people only when the people who were involved at the beginning, fail to remain as involved as they were when they elected the government to start with. The question is, what have you done lately to ensure the highest quality of lake management? It's is one thing to complain, it's another thing to be proactive.

Notice: This Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Highlands County Water and Soil Conservation District will be holding The Inaugural Higlands County Lakes Symposium at the Bert J. Harris Agricultural Center, (formerly known as the Agri Civic Center). Clell Ford and Erin McCarta invite everyone to attend and take part in learning what Highlands County lake management agencies and state management agencies plan for the upcoming year regarding your favorite Highlands County lakes. For complete information regarding this event use the contact information below for Clell Ford.

Your Lake Managers' 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

Fishing Tournaments

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is Dec. 10 on Lake Jackson. Time: 7:30 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp - entry fee $30.00 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 863-446-1310 (cell), email bassbutchie60@aol.com or call Dwight Ameling at 863-471-3305.