Steven A. Marshall

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists evaluated the fishing activity and environmental attitudes of campers following participation in the Joe Budd Summer Fish Camp. The study's objectives were to determine if attending fish camp enhanced long-term fishing participation and awareness of and importance of protecting aquatic resources. Findings were based on a 19-question survey received from 260 (75.1%) campers who had participated in at least one week of camp from 2000 through 2006. Participants in a school based fishing program (n = 258) were used as a comparison...

This study describes a method of constructing inexpensive, durable, shallow-water reefs in freshwater lakes with whole Australian pines (Casuarina spp.). Snorkel observations demonstrated that largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and redear sunfish (L. microlophus) abundance was significantly higher on reef areas as compared to between-reef areas, or control areas. A creel survey measured improved catch rates for largemouth bass and lower catch rates for sunfish on reef areas. The use of on-site materials during lake construction should be considered an...