Catch-and-Release Fishing Could Resume at Medard Park Dec. 31

A final decision on the rules for fishing at the Medard Reservoir will be made at a public meeting next month.

One of Eastern Hillsborough County’s most popular parks for fishing and boating could open to boaters and fishermen by the end of the year. A public meeting, sponsored by Hillsborough County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), held last month in Turkey Creek discussed a proposed Fish Management Area for the reservoir in Edward Medard Park, 5737 Turkey Creek Road. No decision was made at the meeting which drew around 25 fishermen, fishing guides and longtime local residents. Instead, a focus group of seven local fishing enthusiasts was formed and met Oct. 12 to come up with recommendations. The focus group recommended fishing resume at the reservoir on Dec. 31 with a catch-and-release policy for one year. …

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Great Escape: Edward Medard Park

Just a few miles away is a place where you can hike, camp and picnic

The Edward Medard Regional Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd., is tucked away in eastern Hillsborough County between Brandon and Plant City. Hillsborough County invites you to discover its splendor during July, National Park and Recreation Month. Edward Medard Park extends along 1,284 acres owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), where a water control structure and reservoir offer flood protection along the Alafia River. In 1972, under an agreement with the district, Hillsborough County developed this site as one of its largest and most popular regional parks.  Although the park’s main attraction, a 700-acre reservoir used for canoeing, boating and fishing, is currently closed to allow water to raise naturally after a …

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Lisa Cunningham

11:33 am on Thursday, July 21, 2011

I agree. Camping is getting too expensive. I never liked roughing it all that much, anyway!   more ›

5 Things

5 Things to Know Today

Here's some things you might want to know as you go about your day

Good morning, Bloomingdale Patch.  Why not pack a picnic lunch and spend the day at one of the many parks in the area? 1. Aldermans Ford Park is a great place to spend an afternoon. Located at 100 Aldermans Ford Park Drive off State Road 39, history abounds at this park. It was one of the first fording spots on the Alafia River and for many years a popular place for political campaigning in Hillsborough County. This scenic park includes the area where the Alafia River branches into its north and south prongs. The Alafia is one of the most popular canoe spots in the state, and the park includes a modern, erosion-free canoe launch. Several picnic areas are connected by a pedestrian/bicycle loop path, and a first-hand view of the abundant …

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