'Newspg12.indd' by The Newscaster

Lake Trafford in Collier County recently received national recognition for its re-

surging bass fishery, made possible by ongoing restoration projects. Highlighted in the July/

August issue of Bassmaster magazine, 1,500-acre Lake Trafford has overcome a history

ridden with devastating fish kills and unhealthy habitat to boast quality populations of black

crappie (speckled perch) and largemouth bass--all thanks to a partnership between the de-

termined citizens of Collier County, the South Florida Water Management District Big

Cypress Basin and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

"Lake Trafford is an important resource for boating, fishing and wildlife viewing,"

said Barron Moody, regional administrator for the FWC s Division of Freshwater Fisheries

Management. "One of the FWC s primary goals in the restoration of Lake Trafford was to

create healthy habitat for Florida s fish and wildlife resources, which in turn has generated

more recreational opportunities for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts."

Historically, Lake Trafford suffered from excessive algal blooms and frequent fish

kills. These detrimental algal blooms were fueled by a thick layer of muck created from a

buildup of detritus, or dead plant material, at the bottom of the lake. The SFWMD and the

FWC provided $15 million to dredge millions of yards of muck from the lake, which al-

lowed beneficial plants to expand, improving habitat for fish and wildlife.

5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446

Following dredging, the FWC stocked the lake with more than 500,000 large-

Phone: (352) 489-4588 Fax: (727) 362-4788

mouth bass fingerlings produced at the Florida Bass Conservation Center at the Richloamil, Tom Russell, Publisher: thenewscaster1@gmail.comIEmail, Debbie Russell, Editor: d



Hatchery, and planted approximately 75,000 bulrush plants to provide healthy habitat for ebsites: thenewscaster.com · newscasterarchives.com · history.newscasterarchives.c

the fingerlings. Future plans for supporting the long-term health of Lake Trafford include



reestablishingnativeaquatic

  submerged  vegetation, controlling nutrient runoff, managing

the growth exotic monitoring 

of vegetation and  the continued recovery of the lake s fish and

wildlife populations.

      



Florida had the second most lakes on the"100 Best Bass Lakes" list with Lake

Tohopekaliga,Reservoir, Johns Lake Istokpoga,

Okeechobee, Lake  Rodman  St.  River,



Lake Rousseau and north Florida s Lake Seminole. For the second year, Bassmaster staff

  

also used the FWC s TrophyCatch database for their evaluation.

Today, there are airboat tours on the lake, educating visitors about the lake s abun-



dant fish and wildlife species with a powerful message that conservation is everyone s re- David Patten and fishing buddy Charlie Allison of  River. Lure: Snook   by

 was caught 

  caught by Charlie with

David with a Mann's ½ oz. gold weed-less spoon; and the Redfish was

sponsibility and that ordinary citizens can make a huge impact.

a Johnson Sprite ½ oz. gold spoon. Date caught: Location: Porpoise   

 6/7/16    islands.



Captains Outfitters 

Cove   

BUDDY & FRED'S HARDWARE

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39 W. Hwy. 40 · Inglis, FL · (352) 447-5610

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 Than A Bait Store





Evenwehave selection!

though   a great bait 

ORCA COOLERS Big Redfish Contest Aug 1 - Aug. 31

IN STOCK 

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

Shimano Rods & Reels

SPECIAL PRICING EVERY DAY



Serving Inglis, Yankeetown, Dunnellon, Hernando, Crystal River & Homosassa

& Costa Sunglasses forPrizes

5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446

      

Phone (352) 489-4588 Fax (727) 362-4788



Visit our Website, www.thenewscaster.com    

Over$2500inPrizes



Email (Tom Russell, Publisher) thenewscaster1@gmail.com  



     

Email (Debbie Russell, Editor) debbienewscaster@gmail.com

OurStaff  Fishermen

All    are  

Local  Available

  Guides 

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Voters of Citrus County

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For info please visitess Card Ad

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T RN o W ache  v

h  c   

www.lwvcitrus.org

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   

email: lwvcc2013@gmail.com

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1.acrsRBfor only

5   e  , 2B  / 2  A     