project brief

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is installing 100 artificial fish habitats in Mary Holland Park's lakes to restore nearshore habitats, support fish populations, and enhance fishing opportunities with volunteer assistance.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Bartow, Polk County, Florida

Award

$ 9,100

Funding Start Date

Feb 1, 2022

Funding End Date

Sep 1, 2022

Funding Partner

Brunswick Foundation

Project Objectives

  • Install 100 artificial structures to provide shelter and breeding areas for fish

  • Involve community members in building and deploying the habitats

  • Improve conditions for fish to thrive and grow in the lakes

  • Make fishing more enjoyable by increasing fish abundance nearshore

  • Contribute to a balanced and sustainable lake ecosystem

Project Description

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was awarded $9,100 for the installation of fish habitat structures in Mary Holland Park in the City of Bartow, Polk County, Florida. This is a suburban recreation area with four small lakes created from old phosphate pits.

The steep slope of the banks in these limits submerged and emergent vegetation. The agency and volunteers will install 100 artificial fish habitat structures in two of the lakes to create a nearshore habitat that provides structure, and shelter, and improves angler success. Volunteers will assist in the construction and deployment of the structures.

Biologist Paolo Pecora constructing and deploying Mossback fish attractors at Mary Holland Park.
Biologist Adrian Stanfill deploying a Mossback fish attractor at Mary Holland Park.
Biologists (left to right) Sara Menendez, Paolo Pecora, Adrian Stanfill and Davis Todd constructing and deploying Mossback fish attractors at Mary Holland Park.
Biologist Davis Todd constructing a Mossback fish attractor for deployment at Mary Holland Park.
Young local angler catches fish at Mary Holland Park fish attractor site.
Group gathers at fish attractor booth during the Central Florida Aquatic Clean-up event at Mary Holland Park.
Volunteers at the Central Florida Aquatic Clean-up event at Mary Holland Park.
Group gathers for the Central Florida Aquatic Clean-up event at Mary Holland Park.

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