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Medard Reservoir Open Again

Posted Jan 9, 2012 by The Tampa Tribune

Updated Jan 9, 2012 at 01:02 AM

BY MARK COOK

After nearly a two-year closing the Medard Reservoir in Turkey Creek is open again and local anglers couldn’t be happier for the most part. Unfortunately for those looking to take home supper they will have to wait at least a year, as it will be catch-and-release until January 2013.

The reservoir was closed and drained in 2009 to repair the walls on the western edge that were deemed somewhat unsound by SWFTMD. Since the repairs were completed the state agency has let nature take its course to refill the nearly 800-acre reservoir with rainfall.

The FWC has been busy working to restock the popular fishing destination and plans are to make it an even better fishery than it was prior to the closing with the re-stocking of 120,000 bass, 300,000 bluegill, 74,000 shellcracker and 200,000 channel catfish. Plans are to also add 200,000 speckled perch later this year in addition to more largemouth bass.

Anglers who plan to visit Medard will need to fish artificials or find a bait store in their area as the longstanding area landmark Turkey Creek Bait and Tackle property was sold and has since been demolished.

Locally fishing has been excellent when the wind has allowed anglers on the water. Lake Kissimmee fishermen were hauling in limits of good-sized speckled perch trolling open waters with minnows and some reports have the fish moving into the grass lines and lily pads beginning to spawn. Bass catches were very good prior to last week’s cold blast but if we see a few days of warm weather strung together look for the first decent bass spawn of the year.