You catch ’em. Science studies ’em. Anglers are needed
for Florida’s black crappie project at Tenoroc.
Anglers Needed for Florida Crappie Project
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is inviting local anglers to take part in a new community science project designed to improve black crappie fishing at Tenoroc Public Use Area in Polk County.
The FWC has stocked more than 130,000 hatchery-raised black crappie in six Tenoroc lakes since 2023, with more planned for 2026. Now the agency needs angler participation to help determine how well these stocked fish are surviving and contributing to the fishery.
Volunteers will receive a free fin-clip sampling kit with all materials and instructions. They are asked to clip a small portion of the fin from each crappie they catch. Samples do not harm the fish and can be collected in seconds.
Completed kits can be returned to Tenoroc’s check-in station. FWC biologists will use the samples to conduct genetic analyses to distinguish between wild and hatchery fish. This information will help guide future stocking decisions.
Anglers will play a critical role in this project as their participation will provide data that could help improve Tenoroc’s black crappie fishery.
To sign up for a free sample kit, email BlackCrappieTenoroc@MyFWC.com or call 352-800-5012.
