SEBRING — Charles Vealey's boat sat in his garage for two years. He and his fishing buddy, Aaron Seward, used to take the boat out to Lake Jackson or Istokpoga, sometimes going elsewhere in the state to catch some bass. ...more

December 19, 2007

Regional water authorities today extended a once-a-week irrigation restriction through June, but warned more drastic measures, including a total outdoor watering ban, might be in store if the current drought continues into next year. ...more

November 26, 2007

Lake levels in Highlands County have remained low, and now, as we head into the winter dry season, all lake levels are expected to drop to near record numbers. In some cases, the levels will clearly break the old marks. ...more

November 21, 2007

SEBRING — So just how little water could remain in lakes Anoka and Placid without disrupting the lakes' environment? How low can Lake Verona go without making Donaldson Park any less enjoyable? The Southwest Florida Water Management District, which monitors those lakes as well as lakes Tulane, Denton and Angelo, wants to get public input Tuesday evening on that and other questions as the district determines new rules on the lakes' minimum water levels. Those levels are set by SWFWMD to determine the point where further drops in the lake level –– from natural causes or from people drawing water out –– could affect the surrounding environment as well as the lake's recreational use. As Chief Environmental Scientist Douglas Leeper wrote in a letter from SWFWMD's Resource Conservation and Development Department, the minimum levels "protect lakes from impacts associated with ground water and surface water withdrawals." ...more

November 19, 2007

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum and guidance levels for selected Highlands County lakes. A minimum flow or level (MFL) is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance between meeting human water needs and those of Florida's natural systems. Minimum lake levels are used as guidelines in district permitting programs, for development of water resource projects and as information for development bordering lakes. These workshops will allow local governments, citizens and others to be part of the development of minimum levels for area lakes. ...more

November 10, 2007

The aging earthen dike around Lake Okeechobee - the only barrier between the second-largest freshwater body in the contiguous United States and thousands of residents - presents an "urgent and compelling" need for repairs, stated a report released Friday. ...more

November 4, 2007

The weather early this morning is closer to the necessary variables needed to cause fish to migrate in larger numbers for longer periods — something that hasn't occurred very often lately. Get to the lake as early as possible and there is a very good chance you might catch the larger fish at the tail end of their feeding spree. The barometer should be near the bottom of the drop that happened Tuesday night, or already starting to rise — but only slightly. For this reason, start your presentation in close to the vegetation, or in the shallows working your way out. There's a great possibility of a "top-water" bite, so give that a try before switching to other methods. I prefer working top-water retrieves at top speed at first, then gradually slowing it down if it doesn't produce any strikes. ...more

October 17, 2007

We have entered into the time of year when the majority feeding migration occurs during the night. The new and full moon events happen either very late or early in the day — this means daytime fishing decreases in intensity unless the weather conditions trump the lunar cycle. However, the season of the "early morning bite" starts whenever there is an early morning full or new moon, which happens to be the case tomorrow when the new moon occurs at 5:01 a.m. So, get out on the water as soon as possible because at safe light the "big fish" is on and should be all week. ...more

October 10, 2007

A full moon happens today at 7:45 p.m., which means the major migration peak occurs at noon. A moderate early morning bite also starts to increase slightly. ...more

September 26, 2007

SEBRING — It's the rainy season, but apparently Lake Istokpoga and Lake Okeechobee don't know that. ...more

September 13, 2007