Lake Crago is part of Tenoroc Fish Management Area, but the only restriction is a no-wake zone throughout the lake, said Danon Moxley, Tenoroc manager.
Fishing rules and daily use fees for Tenoroc FMA lakes do not apply on Crago, a 52.52-acre lake that was mined for phosphate, because there is public access from Lake Parker.
Moxley said the canal from Parker to Crago will be open until Feb. 2, when it will be closed for six weeks and then reopened.
A large open-ended culvert will be installed, and a road will be built on top of it to provide access from Lakeland Hills Boulevard to the east side of the lake where a new city park will be built north of Lake Parker.
During the closure, Moxley said there will be 55-gallon plastic drums across the canal to prevent access, and dams put in so water can be pumped out of the canal for construction.
The culvert — a steel framework not to be confused with culverts that serve as underground drainage pipes — will be put in place by a crane and it will be the foundation for a paved road with a sidewalk.
Once the culvert and the road are completed, Moxley said there will be 5 feet from the high water mark in the canal to the bottom of the culvert, enough room even for pontoon boats.
The city of Lakeland will build the new park. Moxley said plans are conceptual at this point.
The city and Tenoroc traded land, about 116 acres, to make the park possible.
"It was a win-win situation for everybody,'' Moxley said.
The idle-speed regulation caught some fishermen by surprise, and $68 tickets were handed out for being on plane and creating a wake, even at low speed.
Moxley said they added the no-wake rule because there were complaints of boats on plane and speeding. He said signs are posted at the canal and the entrance to the lake.
Lake Crago, with some deep holes, is at times a popular spot for bass, speckled perch and panfish.
STEVE TAYLOR, 62, DIES
Steve Taylor of Lakeland, one of Polk County's talented bass fishermen, died on Wednesday at his home.
He had cancer, and was in hospice care, said Leo Cosce at Camp Lester.
Taylor was 62. His 63rd birthday would have been on Monday.
Taylor owned a home just down the street from Camp Lester and thoroughly enjoyed bass fishing on Lake Kissimmee.
A long-time tournament fisherman, Taylor won his share of them over the years, especially on Kissimmee, his home lake.
"Camp Lester and all his friends are going to miss him,'' Cosce said. "Good fisherman, too, salt water and fresh water.
"He had a lot of friends down here, and in Lakeland, too,'' Cosce said
I considered Steve a friend through conversations on fishing. Steve had a ready sense of humor, always smiling.
And it's likely he lost count of the 10-pound-plus bass he released a long time ago.
BASS TOURNAMENTS
Willis and Travis Finley combined for 21 pounds, 11 ounces to win the Fishing Misfits tournament on Lake Parker Saturday. Joe Magnatta and Keith Howlett were 8 ounces back with 21 pounds, 3 ounces. Jack Alward and Willard Combee finished third with 13 pounds, 6 ounces. Howard and Troy Tucker netted a 9-pound, 9-ounce lunker, best of the day.
Tim and Kim Crocker teamed up for a 15.95-pound stringer to win the West Coast Couples opener on Lake June in Winter Saturday, and Kim's 8.41-pounder was tops. Frank and Melody Tennity took second with 9.21 pounds. Lonnie and Donis Crocker placed third with 5.56 pounds, followed by Barry and Wendy Norton (5.48 pounds) and Steve and Trina Pritchard (5.30).
Tully Toler and James Yates won the Xtreme Bass Kissimmee Division opener Saturday out of Camp Mack with 14.25 pounds. Chad Stewart and Bobby Wooten finished second with 13.45 pounds and the top bass of 5 1/2 pounds. William Hendren and Richie Upchurch placed third with 7.95 pounds.
Ismael Garcia Jr. and Ismael Garcia Sr. won the Sunday Open Series tournament on Lake Ariana with three bass totaling 8 1/2 pounds. Kevin Wells and Todd String were second with 3 pounds, 10 ounces on one fish that was the largest of the day. Jake Simmons and Mickey Cromeans had 3 pounds, 1 ounce for third.
Barry Edie won the Lakeland Hawg Hunters tournament on Crooked Lake Jan. 8 with 5.90 pounds, and his 1.80-pounder was the largest caught. Karl Thornton finished second with 4.70 pounds, while Derek Boswell had 4.10 pounds for third.
[ Del Milligan's freshwater fishing column appears Thursdays in The Ledger. He can be reached at del.milligan@theledger.com or 863-802-7555. Milligan's blog, Central Florida Fishology, can be found at theledger.com home page. ]
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