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MILTON — Officials with the Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are announcing an immediate closure of Karick Lake North Campground, Karick Lake South Campground, and Karick Lake North Youth Group Camp in northern Okaloosa County.
These areas are closed because of lake construction maintenance by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and will remain in effect until further notice. The closure includes camping and day use activities at Karick Lake.
The FWC, Florida Forest Service and Aquatic Habitat Restoration Section are in the process of a full renovation of Karick Lake Fish Management Area.
This renovation is taking place in order to improve fish habitat and balance the Largemouth Bass population. A full drawdown will allow for the aeration and consolidation of organic muck deposits that result from the natural aging of reservoirs, thus improving fish habitat and natural production for fish food organisms. Structural habitat will be installed in the lake bed and maintenance will be performed on the dam and water control structure. Once water has been returned to the lake, it will be re-stocked to provide a balanced fish community.
For more information on the habitat project, contact Neil Branson with the FWC at Neil.Branson@myfwc.com or call 957-0003. For more information about camping and recreation, call the Florida Forest Service at 957-5701.
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Karick Lake recreation areas closed for renovation