"We encourage harvest below and above the slot -- especially below the slot to thin off young fish so the remaining fish can grow into it," Dennis said. "The catch-and-release philosophy has caught on so much that in some lakes, it doesn't matter what regulation we have. We don't always have the harvest we need to manage that population."

Slot limits protect bass during prime reproductive years so they can replenish fisheries.

"The regulations are there to direct the harvest to fish of specific sizes and to improve the population as a whole. They're spawning every year, and you've gotta make room for more," Dennis said.

FLORIDA BASS LAKES
Atkins
This 752-acre Pope County reservoir is one of ournorthernmost Florida bass fisheries, and Dennis believes it'll become one of our best in a few years. It's bounded by state highways 324 and 105, which run off Interstate 40, and offers eight AGFC-maintained public accesses. After the lake was renovated in 2002 and restocked with Floridas, they reached 13 to 14 inches long in only 18 months. You must release all largemouths in the 16- to 21-inch slot. The daily limit is four, with only one over 21 inches.

Bois D'Arc
Deep in southwest Arkansas, this 650-acre Hempstead County lake features generous cover and forage for a growing Florida bass population. Access it from roads off state Highway 355 in the Bois D'Arc Wildlife Management Area. Bass fishing here is strictly catch-and-release. Shorebound fishermen can walk four and a half miles of levees and a bank-fishing peninsula near the ramp on the east side of the lake, south of Highway 355. Turn north off 355 to reach the other ramp. With Atkins, this lake tops Dennis's list of up-and-coming trophy fisheries.

Columbia
This 3,000-acre AGFC lake in Columbia County has been a trophy destination for years, producing 10- to 11-pound lunkers every year. Although it needs more study, Dennis believes Floridas have made a distinct difference here. The daily largemouth limit is eight, but only three may exceed 18 inches. All fish in the 16- to 18-inch slot must be released. It's safe to eat bass under 16 inches, but mercury in larger fish may endanger some consumers.

Erling
This 7,100-acre reservoir rambles along the eastern edge of the Lafayette County WMA, where the AGFC and International Paper Co. share management duties. At press time, AGFC fish pathologists were awaiting test results to determine whether Florida bass stocked in the early 1980s continue to exert any genetic influence, said biologist Les Claybrook. Last year, Erling received 150,000 Florida fingerlings and will have annual stockings and monitoring for several years. The statewide limit of 10 largemouths per day prevails here.

Lower White Oak
The 1,645-acre lower section of White Oak Lake near Camden proved it could grow bucketmouths that threaten the 10-pound mark many years ago, and the introduction of Florida bass has probably made a great lake even better. The 1,031-acre upper lake, just across state Highway 387, is certainly respectable, but trophies come from the lower lake. Release all bass in the 16- to 18-inch slot; the daily limit is eight bass, and you may keep three over 18 inches.