AbstractsEconomics

Eutrophication has been implicated in the collapse of productive largemouth bass fishing at Lake Griffin (Lake County), Florida. Consequently, the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council recommended and the Lake County Water Authority (LCWA) funded Florida LAKEWATCH to start a wild-adult largemouth bass transfer program for Lake Griffin. After three-years of stocking, the effectiveness of the fish transfer program relative to increasing angler and economic activity was evaluated. The results of the program, as well as angler surveys, were used to determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the largemouth bass transfer program. It was found possible to locate, capture, and stock over 4,000 wild-adult largemouth bass from private waters for at least three continuous years during the cooler months (December thru April) of the year. Largemouth bass angler effort increased by up to three-fold during the stocking program based on Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission creel survey results. The economic activity generated by the project was estimated to be as much as $2.7 million annually. Therefore, the stocking of wild-adult largemouth bass is recommended to agencies interested in providing a boost to angler activity and economic activity associated with poorly producing water bodies.