Community volunteers are revving their airboat engines for another day of service, planning to remove abandoned crab traps threatening marine life in Cockroach Bay. ...more

January 22, 2009

Community volunteers are revving their airboat engines for another day of service, planning to remove abandoned crab traps threatening marine life in Cockroach Bay. ...more

January 20, 2009

SEBRING — If you have any question about just about anything related to conservation, farming, natural resources and local outdoor recreation, circle June 25 on your calendar. Environmental agencies from Highlands County and the state will be there with personnel and exhibits for the first-ever Highlands County Conservation Connection Day. Set for 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 25, at the Highlands County Agri-Civic Center, this event is designed for both children and adults. ...more

June 19, 2008

SEBRING — The drawdown request on Lake Istokpoga was approved earlier this month by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, allowing for the lake to potentially sink down to an elevation of 36 feet if its water is needed for irrigation to the south. Neither Highlands County Lakes Manager Clell Ford nor Trails End Fishing Resort owner Gary Albin has noticed any withdrawals from the lake since the approval. Ford said, however, that the water permit holders to the lake have been allowed to use their permits again on two different days of the week. ...more

January 28, 2008

With the last-quarter moon happening on Wednesday at 5:03 p.m., the afternoon bite will steadily increase in duration and intensity to the end of the month. The best time to head out to the lake is mid-morning when the feeding migration starts and the bass are on bed, or preparing to go on bed, feed and guard their territory. The bedding bass looks to locate a protected area with adequate fresh, clean water which means the angler should be looking in the southwest sections of lake structures, such as sandbars, islands, weed beds, hydrilla, rocks, and ledges or steep inclines. ...more

January 27, 2008

Sitting here on this New Year's Eve morning it's early for me at 7 a.m., usually I have a cup of coffee and read the newspaper from my sitting area overlooking beautiful Lake Istokpoga and watching the birds and wildlife as the beautiful sunrise illuminates the woods. We who live on this lake do so because we choose to and are willing to deal with the bugs and the low water, high taxes and all the downsides that no one has control over. Last night I went to bed at 10:30 p.m. with the noise of airboats thumping and humming past the house until late into the night and waking me at 6:15 a.m. this morning. Having friends with airboats and enjoyed them myself years ago, I understand the fun and excitement they are to a lot of people, and feel that this being a big lake can be enjoyed by all the people if we all use it responsibly. ...more

January 3, 2008

SEBRING — Residents, fisheries and businesses around Lake Istokpoga are bracing for another drawdown request that will, if granted, last much longer than the one granted this summer. Even though summer rains made it so that Istokpoga's water wasn't needed back then, the latest request could last until the end of next summer, and it would include the water-intensive spring time when growers and landscapers alike use the greatest amount of water. Highlands County Lakes Manager Clell Ford was not sure how great an impact this deviation would have on the lake, but he was certain it would be consequential if it is approved, unlike the last one. South Florida Water Management District, which manages Lake Istokpoga, asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last month to allow for a new drawdown. ...more

November 27, 2007