It’s that time again. Nope, not Christmas. Management of Northeast Florida’s premier bass fishery, Rodman Reservoir, calls for water levels to be lowered every three or four years for fisheries enhancement. The last drawdown was completed in April 2002, so managers are at it again. At last report, Rodman water levels were at 15 feet above sea level, on the way to bottoming out at 11.

Lower water levels have already rendered regular launch facilities inaccessible. Temporary ramps at Kenwood and Orange Springs will be made usable within the next 10 days.

To protect a bass population squeezed into tight quarters, a bass catch-and-release-only rule went into effect Dec. 1, and is currently slated to end April 1, 2005. Biologists may rescind the ban if conditions warrant, but check with local tackle shops or the FWC before you drop that bass into the livewell. Waters from the County Road 316 bridge to the George Kirkpatrick Dam, the barge canal to Buckman Locks, Deep Creek to County Road 310, and Orange Creek to State Road 315 are included in the no-keep zone.