Cooperative Implementation of Florida's Black Bass Management Plan

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) fisheries management and research staff worked with stakeholders to create a Black Bass Management Plan that was approved in 2010.  It is a long-term, science-based, and citizen-guided plan to ensure Florida is the undisputed “Bass Fishing Capital of the World.”

In the past five years, FWC staff have worked to implement components of the plan, especially those which stakeholders addressed as top priorities.  The plan identified many areas where research was needed to inform management decision.  Projects stemming directly from the plan that have been completed or are currently underway include a bed fishing study, multiple stocking studies, genetics research on various black bass species, exploitation studies, fish attractor research, and a review of black bass regulations across the state.  These research projects have influenced management decisions and policy such as new statewide bass regulations, development of the TrophyCatch program, stocking decisions, and policies and regulations restricting the movement of bass in Florida to protect genetic integrity of our native species.