

Linear regression of average catch-curve residuals and the net change in percent area covered (PAC) by hydrilla were positively related ( R 2 = 0.75) to cohorts produced during drawdowns, whereas no relationship was found between hydrilla PAC and cohorts produced when water levels were at normal pool. Average catch-curve residuals obtained from multiple age samples illustrated that four of the six cohorts produced during drawdowns were strong, whereas the majority of cohorts produced when pool levels were at normal depths were average to weak. Johns to the Atlantic Ocean.We examined the effects of reservoir drawdowns and hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata coverage on year-class strength of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides at Rodman Reservoir, Florida. In addition to good bass fishing, a restored river would bring back much larger striped bass (not the hybrid sunshine version) and would create a more sustainable fishery from the Ocklawaha to the St. Notice what they were in 2013, 2014, 20.īank fishing during drawdowns is also up! You actually have fishing banks to fish from at Paynes Landing, Kenwood and Orange Springs ramps.

See what happened related to Trophy catches during the 20 drawdown years. In 1999, SJRWMD deems that additional water quality studies are. 1997 FDEP applies to SJRWMD for restoration of the Ocklawaha River. Extreme drawdowns as FWC calls them are designed to help improve bass fishing and reduce the build-up of invasive aquatic plants. 1995 Governor Lawton Chiles directs FDEP in cooperation with SJRWMD to begin a phased drawdown of the Rodman Reservoir and to move forward with the partial restoration option to restore the Ocklawaha River. At least 84 largemouth bass weighing over 8 pounds have been reported to the Florida Trophy Catch program since January 1, 2020, with 14 of those greater than 10 pounds!” – Florida Fish and Wildlife CommissionĪ look at the data shows that great trophy fishing happens during the drawdown years, when the water levels are closer to restored river conditions. “Rodman Reservoir offered some of the best bass fishing in the area over the last year. I went back there this morning and watched the trucks with boats pull in and then leave disappointed. After recent spraying, the run was open for one day before it filled back in with invasive aquatic plants. They are supposed to post signs when they spray but they never do. Contractors were hired to clear plants in 257 acres for over $30,000.00, using herbicides and mechanical harvesting. 25, 2020 - “Kenwood boat ramp is blocked again. The conditions since the drawdown ended in April 2020 have been equally as bad.
#Rodman reservoir drawdown schedule plus#
“Rodman Reservoir Tournament director Mark Roberts said the conditions at Kenwood Landing were unfit for a tournament launch.” He said, “The canal smelled like an open cesspool from the rotting vegetation, plus the fact that outboard motor intakes would quickly stop up with trash.”

Johns River.”įishing ramp conditions are often unusable and unsuitable… Johns River and finished south of the Lake George area.” “The runners-up also chose to lock out to the St. “McIntire said they boated through Buckman locks to the St. JPalatka Daily News – McIntire, Johnson take top honors at Xtreme Bass event Johns, now ranked 4 th in the BassMaster’s Southeastern United States 2019 rankings. Many tournament boats are seen locking out to the St. Source of numbers: FDEP Office of Greenways and Trails Annual use of the river sites has increased overall by an average of 508 visitor parties per year from 2010 to 2017.Annual use of the reservoir recreation sites has been on a downward trend since 2010, declining by an average of 3,627 visitor parties per year.Overall, use of the natural sections of the Ocklawaha River is going up and use of the impounded portions of the river is going down. During the peak of the reservoir drawdown from November 2019 through February 2020, visitation at Rodman reservoir access points increased by 81 percent compared to the same four-month period in 2017-19. The exception is during drawdown times, when the river is closer to what a restored river level would be. User data from the FDEP Office of Greenways and Trails confirm that Rodman Reservoir use has been going down since 2010. Use of the Rodman Reservoir sites is going down…Īlthough the artificial Rodman Reservoir is a popular bass fishing location, its use is declining.
