Commission Biologist Chris Michael is hopeful these new "Big Catch" stations will encourage angler participation by "shortening the distance between the angler and the certificate" by having official application forms, a weigh scale, a measuring board and instructions on how to apply all in one place.

Youngsters under 16 can also qualify to receive a certificate and sticker. Qualifying size limits for kids are lowered by 25 percent. In addition, kids will be sent a handsome pin identifying them as a "Big Catch" winner in the program.

Prior to July 1996, anglers had to weigh fish on public scales. Applications can be submitted now, based upon the fish length (when confirmed by a witness), thus leaving an option to keep or release their trophy. The stations also have free 36-inch long, vinyl adhesive rulers, which can be placed on your boat or ice chest. The rulers list the qualifying size for all 33 species, and allows you to measure and record your fish's length and girth while you are still on the water. There is also a place to record your catch on the ruler. The FWC hopes this will also help encourage successful catch-and-release, when appropriate, and increase interest in fishing for a multitude of freshwater fishes.

Statewide, "Big Catch" applications may be downloaded from the Commission's web site (http://www.state.fl.us/fwc/fishing). They are also found in the FWC Fishing Regulations Summary booklet. Many bait-and-tackle stores and all regional Commission offices have applications available. In addition, those interested can receive an application and ruler by writing: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, "Big Catch" Program, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600.

New "Big Catch" stations are now available at the following on-site locations:

Alligator Lake. Alligator Lakeside Inn, 6264 East Irlo Bronson Hwy., St. Cloud (407-892-3195).

Lake Rosalie. Buck's Bayou, 10730 Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales (941-696-1421).

Lake Tiger. Camp Tiger, 2 Camp Tiger, Lake Wales (941-692-1586); Bud's RV Park & Marina, 1700 Tiger Lake Road, Lake Wales (941-696-2274). Lake Walk-In-Water. Uncle Joe's Fish Camp, 4535 Walk-In-Water Road, Lake Wales (941-696-1101).

Lake Toho. Southport County Park, 2001 Southport Road, Kissimmee (407-933-5822); Big Toho Marina, 101 Lakeshore Road, Kissimmee (407-846-2124); Harbor Oaks Marina & Campground, 3605 Marsh Road, Kissimmee (407-846-1321); Richardson's Fish Camp, 1550 Scotty's Road, Kissimmee (407-846-6540); Red's Fish Camp, 4715 Kissimmee Park Road, St. Cloud (407-892-8795).

East Lake Toho. East Lake Fish Camp, 3705 Big Bass Road, Kissimmee (407-348-2040).

Lake Kissimmee. Camp Lester, 14400 Reese Drive, Lake Wales (941-696-1123); Camp Mack, 14900 Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales (941-696-1108); Grape Hammock Camp, 1400 Grape Hammock Road, Lake Wales (941-692-1500); Overstreet's Landing, 4500 Overstreet Road, Kenansville (407-436-1966); Kissimmee River Park & Marina, 3800 Bruce Blvd., Lake Wales (941-696-3182); Lake Kissimmee State Park, 14248 Camp Mack Park, Lake Wales (941-696-1112); Oasis Marina 25601 Hwy. 60 East, Lake Wales (941-692-1594); Shady Oaks Fish Camp, 1800 Shady Oaks Road, Lake Wales (941-692-1261); Thomas Landing, 3952 Sam Keen Road, Lake Wales (941-692-2334).

Lake Marian. Fred's Fish Camp, 700 Lakeside Blvd., Kenansville (407-436-1472); Lake Marian Paradise, 901 Arnold Road, Kenansville (407-436-1021).

Lake Cypress. Lake Cypress Fish Camp & Resort, 3301 Lake Cypress Road, St. Cloud (407-957-3135).

Lake Panasoffkee. Pana Vista Lodge, 3417 C.R. 421, Lake Panasoffkee (352-793-2061); Design Marina, Hwy. 470, Lake Panasoffkee (352-793-1011); Tracy's Point Fish Camp, C.R. 437, Lake Panasoffkee (352-793-8060); Idlewild Lodge, 4110 C.R. 400, Lake Panasoffkee (352-793-7057).

In addition to single, individual certificates, anglers have an opportunity to accumulate three more award levels: The Specialist Award for five or more fish of the same specie that qualify as "Big Catches;" The Master Angler Award for five or more fish of different species qualified as "Big Catches," and an Elite Angler Award for catching 10 or more fish of different species that qualify as "Big Catches." According to Jim Estes, of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there were 67 Specialists, 23 Master Anglers and two Elite award winners, at the beginning of the new millennium.

Estes added that since the program began a decade ago, "Big Catch" certificates have been issued to people living in 39 states and seven to individual anglers from Japan.

Last year, 895 certificates were issued for 29 species as compared to 813 for 22 species in 1998. Of the 895 presentations made in 1999, 11 percent went to women and 24 percent went to youths.

It's interesting to note that Lake Walk-In-Water accounted for 134 "Big Catch" certificates of the 426 issued last year for bass. Other certificates for largemouth came from Farm 13/Stick Marsh (24), Lake Istokpoga (23), Lake Kissimmee (21), St. Johns River (17), Lake Tohopekeliga (15) and Lake Okeechobee (8).

Although more certificates were awarded for bass last year (426) than for any other species, 28 other species came in for some attention including bluegill (118), butterfly peacock bass (53), crappie (41), Oscar (36) and striped bass (30).

With the addition of the 27 new one-stop "Big Catch" Stations now in fish camps in Osceola, Polk and Sumter Counties, it's anticipated that there'll be a sharp increase in the number of applications coming in from such places as lakes Kissimmee, Toho, Panasoffkee, Cypress, Rosalie, Alligator, Tiger, East Lake, Walk-In-Water, Marian and other area water bodies.