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Home My WebLink AboutIII (E) Approval and Authorization to Expend $1,550 from Contingency Fund to Participate in the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission "Fish Orlando" Program Agenda 6-2-98 Item III E "CENTER OF GOOD LIVING-PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE" MAYOR•COMMISSIONER S.SCOTT VANDERGRIFT O� Ocoee ' COMMISSIONERS CITY OF O C O EE DANNY HOWELL .r>` • SCOTT ANDERSON VI t` • 150 N.LAKESHORE DRIVE�' OCOEE,FLORIDA 34761-2258 SCOTT A.GLASS C NANCY J.PARKER �+� ?v (407)656-2322 y1•f�111 ``�� CITY MANAGER 0 GQ0p ELLIS SHAPIRO MEMORANDUM To: The Honorable Mayor The Board of City Commissioners 1 From: Bruce Nordquist, CLP, Recreation Director Date: May 27, 1998 RE: Fish Orlando This staff report requests your favorable consideration for the City to Co-Sponsor the program "Fish Orlando" offered by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. The FGFFC has chosen Starke Lake as the site to bring their expertise in access management, habitat improvement and stock enhancement. The City of Ocoee would simply participate in the "Fishing Derby"to help with the fishing event and to help support the derby with funding. The Recreation Department will attempt to raise funds through donations from various businesses but would like to request a total of$1550 from the contingency to cover the cost of the"Fishing Derby"in case of a shortage of donations received. Please see attachments for further information on the program. A program brochure is available if interested, please contact me at the Recreation Department. BN/mdb :attachments STARKE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Division of Fisheries Lake Management Strategies The Division of Fisheries has considerable experience dealing with multiple uses on public bodies of water. After decisions regarding the desired uses of the lake have been made by the City of Ocoee,the Division of Fisheries can bring our expertise in access management, habitat improvement and stock enhancement to bear. The lakefront can be functionally divided to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for both fishermen and those people using the lake for water contact sports. Access Management and Habitat Improvement Strategies for enhancing fishing opportunities range from improving access (e.g., fishing piers and shoreline enhancement) followed by installing fish feeders and brush or rock attractors, to complete lake restorations. In the case of Starke Lake, simple habitat improvements such as planting native aquatic plants and installing rock or gravel rubble around fishing areas would probably be sufficient to stimulate a thriving fishery. Installation and maintenance of automatic fish feeders, near the fishing pier and away from boat traffic,would provide a boost as well. Plant communities can be altered to produce a shoreline zone beneficial to fish and wildlife and be aesthetically pleasing as well. For instance, our Aquatic Plant Management Project can remove cattails, either by hand or by herbicide, and re-vegetate with bulrush, spikerush, eelgrass and other more desirable plant species that provide good fish habitat without obstructing access or limiting waterfront viewing along the shore near the Community Center. We have worked with homeowners groups to improve habitat in areas that are not in public ownership. Stock Enhancement Stocking sportfish is also a possibility, if there is evidence of a natural reproduction problem. Channel catfish,which do not normally spawn in lakes or ponds, readily congregate around fish feeders and provide good opportunities for young anglers and special events. We recommend 10,000 5-to 9-inch channel catfish, if fish feeders are a part of the management plan. Education/Outreach Opportunities Division of Fisheries outreach features kids'fishing clinics,two-hour instruction sessions, and fishing derbies, typically weekend non-competitive family-oriented fishing events. Fishing Clinics Generally targeted at children under 12, fishing clinics begin with a 30-to 45-minute lecture on types and identification of freshwater sportfish; some very basic concepts of aquatic habitat;types of fishing tackle, including rods,reels, natural and artificial baits; casting instruction; and environmental ethics. The lecture is followed by an hour or more of fishing, as time allows. Clinics could easily be conducted after school and throughout the summer. At Starke Lake, our local Urban Fisheries Project personnel would train City of Ocoee Recreation staff to become clinic instructors. We would provide our teaching manual, "Kids Fishing",to all clinic participants. Upon completion of the course, your staff would provide names of the kids, and we would issue each"graduate" a Junior Fishing License. Fishing tackle for the fishing clinics would come through the American Sportfishing Association's Loaner Program,which provides the required equipment at a significant discount. Bait would be the principal cost to the Recreation Department. Fishing Derbies Derbies are for fun. Typically Saturday morning affairs, derbies provide an opportunity for families to enjoy fishing in pleasant surroundings. We would provide loaner rods and reels (we have about 100) for attendees. We encourage community involvement in fishing derbies, through volunteer support,refreshments,bait and raffle prizes. Derby sponsorship may cost as little as $500. We believe there is excellent opportunity to involve local Ocoee businesses and civic groups. Our staff would be available to work with the City of Ocoee to set up the first derby. Enclosed is a flier for one of the FISH ORLANDO! derbies. FISH ORLANDO! FISHING DERBY SPONSORSHIP The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC)conducts fishing derbies at FISH ORLANDO! locations. Derbies offer an opportunity for children and their families to fish in specially managed lakes in the Orlando area. Derbies may be open to the public, or they may focus on special groups, e.g., underprivileged or at-risk children, community service organizations, senior citizens groups. These events are not competitive; prizes are awarded randomly. The GFC has fishing tackle available to loan to derby participants. Sponsors provide refreshments, raffle prizes, complimentary hats or tee shirts, and advertising and publicity. The GFC and its volunteer supporters coordinate the derby, and the logistics leading up to the event. Below is a breakdown of the sponsorship costs of a fishing derby, based on 150 participants. Although some events may have greater turnout, parking and fishing access limit large derbies to a few FISH ORLANDO! locations. Bait, refreshments, prizes and promotional fliers are essential. Polaroid pictures of a"first catch- add a nice touch and leave youngsters with a good memory of their experience. Likewise, hats or shirts distinguish the premier events. Advertising and promotion are advisable for larger derbies and events that target a general audience. BAIT (Worms, Crickets) S250 REFRESHMENTS 400 drinks for participants, families, volunteers S100 PRIZES: A"Goody Bag" is provided for all registered participants. GFC provides Kids Fishing Books, Fishing Handbook, Bumper Sticker, Pin and Junior Fishing License for children's events. Sponsor provides a small fishing tackle item (hooks, floats, sinkers, etc.) S150 Special raffle prizes for 5 participants (e.g., rod & reel, tackle box, lure collection) . S200 CAMERAS AND FILM: Instant pictures greatly reward successful anglers S150 TEE SHIRTS: FISH ORLANDO! logo; single color sponsor logo; event name & date for the first 100 to sign up @ $6.00 per shirt S600 PROMOTION/ ADVERTISING: Publicity can vary from distributing fliers in storefronts, schools and businesses to radio/tv/newspaper advertising, depending on the audience. For larger derbies (500 or more), radio and newspaper are preferred media. and costs will vary greatly depending on coverage. At a minimum, promotional fliers should be distributed two weeks prior to the event. Fliers (Printing, copying) 500 copies S100 Radio /Newspaper Varies FISH ORLANDO! EVENT SCHEDULE A list of events scheduled.Several other events involving local government and business are planned,but have not been finalized.Fishing derbies will be conducted monthly. January,1998:The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission will tag 100 black crappie in Lake Lawne and Clear Lake for a"crappie-thon".Local business will provide prizes for anglers returning tags. February 28,1998:The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and Orange County will sponsor the annual"Fish for the Fun of it"derby at Blanchard Park. The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission will tag 100 largemouth bass in Clear Lake,Lake Underhill,Lake Ivanhoe and Lake Conway for a"bass-thon".Local business will provide prizes. April 4,1998:The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and Orange County Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor The Grand 01'Derby for grandparents and grandchildren at Barnett Park. April 25,1998:The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and the City of Orlando,in coop- eration with local business and homeowners,will sponsor an Earth Day Cleanup at Clear Lake. May 16-17,1998:The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission will conduct a boating safety class for 15 youths,ages 12-15,followed by a day's fishing with the students paired with local bass club members.Lake Lawne is the likely site. June 6,1998:The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and the City of Orlando will sponsor the National Fishing Week Derby at Lake Lorna Doone.No fishing license will be required on this annual "Free Fishing Weekend". August,1998:The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission will sponsor the Lake Dot Commu- nity Fishing Derby. September,1998:The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and the City of Casselberry will sponsor the Oktoberfest Derby at Secret Lake Park. October 11,1998:The Florida Game and Fresh Waterrisli C¢mmiss att,Orlando-area physicians and hospitals,and the Boggy Creek Gang will sponsor a"Healing and Healthy T(ids' fishing derby-at Lake`''` Estelle. r" 4 The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission will conduct a boating safety class for15 youths, ages 12-15,followed by a day's fishing with the students paired with local bass club members.Lake Conway and Lake Baldwin are potential sites. FISH ORLANDO! 1/27/98 FISH ORLANDO! SPONSORS & PARTNERS Division of Fisheries o : 141 . . a3v� Division of Law Enforcement c:MMlss�o? P GITq` Shakespeare � Amo City of Orlando IL _{ " ® C�O1 1P: . THE 0 t I:0 t4 0 AUTHORITY Soldiers to Scholars wCity of Winter Park & Parks and MAACO of Recreation _Department Orange City OQSs HAL Encc- , o '- South Bend ORuInDO. FLORINc4'bE SVONC. lv:IIIAN11111/ B & B Taxidermy, Lakeland 4.17 FIS"R"''` INC. Gene Dobbs Taxidermy, Mango Ratso's Taxidermy, St. Cloud :f. ,..,,,irt,„_ ' , , ' ‘.1.;,.(,,;<.,.,Vi l'- � A FISH ORLANDO! 1/20/98