FWC restoring aquatic habitat on Lake Arbuckle 

May 24, 2019

Photos available on the FWC’s Flickr site: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmDK74eS

Suggested Tweet: Aquatic restoration with thousands of new plants to improve habitat & enhance #fishing opportunities on Lake Arbuckle in #Polk County! @MyFWC begins 5/28: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/24705ce #Florida

FWC restoring aquatic habitat on Lake Arbuckle 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is working to restore aquatic habitat on Lake Arbuckle in Polk County. Beginning May 28, FWC staff will transplant thousands of aquatic plants into the lake to help enhance this popular shallow-water bass and crappie fishing location.

A total of 8,000 giant bulrush plants and 16,000 jointed spikerush plants will be planted along the lake's western and southwestern shorelines. These native aquatic plants will serve as a valuable food source and habitat for variety of wildlife, including both small and large fish, waterfowl, wading birds, turtles, and apple snails.

The plants also will enhance opportunities for anglers to catch largemouth bass, crappie and panfish on Lake Arbuckle.

The FWC’s aquatic habitat restoration project on Lake Arbuckle is part of ongoing restoration and habitat enhancement activities aimed at improving fish and wildlife habitat, increasing biodiversity of the native plant communities, and enhancing angler opportunities.

Lake Arbuckle is listed as one of the FWC’s “Top Spots” to fish for crappie. For more information visit MyFWC.com/fishing, click on “Freshwater Fishing Homepage,” selecting “Freshwater Fishing Forecasts” and select “Crappie.”

For more information about this project, contact Carly Althoff with the FWC's Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Section at 863-697-6323.