The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently stocked nearly 300,000 Florida bass in Lake George, part of the St. Johns River system. The stockings took place in February and March. FWC fisheries staff spawned and raised the bass fry to approximately a quarter inch long at the Florida Bass Conservation Center Richloam Fish Hatchery.

Lake George and the St. Johns River system have historically supported submerged aquatic vegetation, such as eelgrass, which provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife. Hurricanes and other environmental factors reduced vegetation coverage in recent years. To help restore this important habitat, FWC biologists are working to reestablish eelgrass and other submerged plants through ongoing habitat restoration efforts designed to rebuild vegetation.

To learn more about FWC's fish stocking activities , go to MyFWC.com/Freshwater and select the “Freshwater Stocking” tile. For more information about the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, contact Michelle Kerr at 850-510-4776 or Michelle.Kerr@MyFWC.com.