Griffin Alexander, Stephanie Stinson, and Mackenzie Magyar represented DEP’s Southeast Region at ICAST 2025, the world’s largest sportfishing tradeshow, in Orlando last week. The team especially enjoyed conversing with fishing stakeholders from across the country (and world) at the event, sharing information on Florida's magnificent State Parks and Aquatic Preserves.

Rhoden Cove Landing on Lake Jackson AP will have a new 200ft boardwalk and observation platform by the end of the year that will offer the public wildlife viewing and bank fishing opportunities. However, there are many challenges in access, permitting, and construction due to dramatically fluctuating water levels and vegetation at this site.

Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve and FWC Freshwater Fisheries biologists partnered together to attempt a nighttime electrofishing event on the Silver River to remove invasive tilapia. FWC’s past attempts in spring systems during the daytime were not successful because the tilapia were spooked before the electrofishing boat could even get close enough to deliver an effective electrical pulse.