🔍 Measuring dissolved oxygen is key to lake health. Most programs use electronic meters for quick readings, while the Winkler method is traditional but slow. Learn more in Part 4 of LAKEWATCH’s Circular: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🐟 Blue Tilapia aren’t native to Florida! Introduced decades ago, they compete with native species for food and habitat. 🌿🐠 Learn more about Florida’s freshwater fish: go.ufl.edu/florida-fres...

🪶 Bird Spotlight: Belted Kingfisher! Heard a loud rattling call near water? It might be this striking bird. Learn about its behaviors and role in Florida ecosystems in our latest article: new.express.adobe.com/webpage/0ujS...

🐟 Oxygen and temperature shape lake life, from algae to fish. Highly productive lakes swing in oxygen, plants can block light, and sudden temperature drops stress fish. Learn more in Part 3 of LAKEWATCH’s Circular: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🪶 Little Blue Heron Feeding Fact: Little Blue Herons slowly stalk their prey in shallow waters, using deliberate movements to sneak up on fish, frogs, and insects before striking with precision. 🐟🌿 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🎣 Florida Bass Spotlight! Discover what makes these bass unique in our latest article by LAKEWATCH’s Dan Willis. Learn about their biology, importance, and appeal to anglers. Read here: new.express.adobe.com/webpage/0ujS...

🌡️ Lake temperature affects oxygen, fish habitats, and mixing. Sunlight and air temp are key, but depth, wind, and water color matter too. Learn more in Part 2 of LAKEWATCH’s Oxygen & Temperature Circular: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🐟 Black Crappie are ambush predators feeding at dawn and dusk, using sharp eyesight to strike prey! 🌅🐠 Ever caught one? What’s your favorite bait? Share below! 👇 Learn more: go.ufl.edu/florida-fres...

🎉 2025 LAKEWATCH Milestones! New rewards: 10 yrs = dry bag, 30 yrs = plaque in Hall of Fame. This year: 10 plaques (30 yrs), 5 shirts (20 yrs), 7 paddles (15 yrs), countless dry bags. THANK YOU volunteers for powering Florida’s lake research! 💙

🌊 Oxygen is vital for lake life, but levels can drop at night or in warm water, stressing fish. Most fish kills are natural, not pollution. Learn more in LAKEWATCH’s Oxygen & Temperature Circular: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

Those thousands of water samples collected by @ufifaslakewatch.bsky.social volunteers throughout Florida are in good hands. #sffgsredcarpet Learn more: lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu www.instagram.com/p/DUTllp5CfkQ/

🪶 Limpkins are snail specialists! Their curved bill extracts apple snails with precision. 🐌🌿 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

📊 Explore LAKEWATCH Reports! Get insights on Florida lakes: water quality trends, fish communities, and mercury levels. Perfect for volunteers, researchers, and educators. 👉 lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/data--report...

🌊 Watery Word: Fetch! 🌊

🐟 Lined Topminnow Fun Fact 🐟 Lined Topminnows are small fish with bold horizontal stripes, often found near the surface in slow-moving or still waters. 🌊✨ 📘 Learn more: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0...

📊 Explore the LAKEWATCH Water Quality Data Dashboard! Search lakes, view trends, compare key parameters, and download data for reports or projects. Start now: lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/data--report...

👏 Celebrating Chris Capkovic for 30 years of sampling Lake Brant in Hillsborough County! A matching plaque at UF Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences honors his lasting impact. 💙🌊

🪶Killdeer Feeding Fact: Killdeer forage by running, stopping, and pecking at insects and small invertebrates on open ground. Their quick movements help them spot prey in short grass or mudflats. 🐛🌾 📘 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

Florida LAKEWATCH Data Hub is live! Access interactive water quality dashboards, request data, view reports, find citation guidance, SOPs, and FAQs all in one place. 📊 Explore now: lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/data--reports/

🌅 A Dock for Dan In memory of LAKEWATCH founder Dr. Dan Canfield, UF Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences faculty, staff, and students funded new docks for educational ponds. The first dock honors Dan’s legacy. Learn more: new.express.adobe.com/webpage/0ujS...

🌟 Yellow Bullhead Fun Fact 🌟 Yellow Bullhead catfish use their “whiskers” (barbels) to sense food in murky waters. Their yellowish-brown color helps them blend in! 🌊✨ 📘 Learn more: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0...

📍 Find Your Nearest Collection Center Dropping off samples is easier than ever! Use our interactive map to locate centers, get contact info, and find freezers for sample drop-off and supply restocking. ✅ Explore now: lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/for-voluntee...

🎉 Honoring Yvonne Stoker for 30 years with Florida LAKEWATCH! She monitors Lake James in Hillsborough County. A plaque celebrates her service at UF Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 💙🌊

🪶 Great Egret Feeding Fact: Great Egrets use a “stand-and-wait” strategy, staying motionless in shallow water until the perfect moment to spear fish with their sharp bill. 🐟🌿 📘 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

Volunteers are the heart of Florida LAKEWATCH! Our updated Volunteer Resources page makes it easy to find training guides, videos, field sheets, safety info, and coordinator contacts. ✅ Explore now: lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/for-voluntee...

🚨 Our New Website is Live! 🚨 The Florida LAKEWATCH site has a fresh design, easier navigation, and new tools for volunteers. Check our the NEW interactive Data Dashboard! ✅ Explore now: lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu

🐟 White Catfish have white bellies and tolerate a wide range of conditions, often found in slow or still waters. 🌊 Curious about Florida’s lake fish? Explore the Handbook of Common Freshwater Fish: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0...

😬 Nuisance = native species that cause management issues or property damage. In Florida, cattails can clog waterways and limit recreation when nutrient-rich runoff helps them spread. Learn more: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

📣 Congrats to Greg Smith! At the Pasco County meeting, Greg received his 15-Year Volunteer Paddle after monitoring Lake Jovita for 25 years. Thank you, Greg, for your dedication and the invaluable data you’ve contributed! 💙

🎉 Happy Holidays, LAKEWATCH Volunteers! Thank you for monitoring Florida’s waters and making a real difference. Wishing you joy, warmth, and a New Year full of success. We’re grateful to have you as part of the LAKEWATCH family! 💙

🪶 Great Blue Heron Feeding Fact: Great Blue Herons stand still for long periods before striking quickly to catch fish and frogs. 🐟⚡ 📘 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🔥 Invasive species meet 3 conditions: non-native, introduced by humans, and cause harm. In Florida, Cuban bulrush outcompetes natives and disrupts ecosystems. Early detection is key! Learn more: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

📣 Cheers to Tom and Peggy Prevost! For nearly 35 years, they’ve monitored Santa Fe Lakes, providing invaluable data. They received their 30-Year Plaque, with a matching plaque at UF Fisheries to honor their impact. Thank you for your decades of service!

Hey, @ufifaslakewatch.bsky.social is hiring a Data Management Analyst! Join one of the nation’s largest volunteer science programs and help steward 30+ years of water quality data on thousands of Florida's lakes, rivers, springs, and estuaries. Apply by 1/8: explore.jobs.ufl.edu/.../data-man...

🌟 Warmouth have large mouths and thrive in many freshwater habitats, often in slow or still waters with vegetation. 🌿 Curious about Florida’s lake fish? Explore the Handbook of Common Freshwater Fish: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0...

✅ Introduced = species brought to an area by humans. 🌍 Established = species with a self-sustaining population. In Florida, giant salvinia is introduced but not established. Early detection matters! Learn more: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

Double-crested Cormorant 🪶 Feeding Fact: These skilled divers chase fish underwater, using their webbed feet for propulsion. 🐟🌊 📘 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🎧 LAKEWATCH 2025 Wrapped You brought the beats, we brought the data! ✅ Top County: Hillsborough ✅ Samples: 61,607 ✅ Volunteer MVPs: YOU! ✅ Most Tested: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Chlorophyll Thanks for an amazing year. Let’s make 2026 even better! 💙

🚫 Non-native species do not occur naturally in an area. In Florida, Hydrilla verticallata is a prime example. It grows fast, forms dense mats, and crowds out natives, making boating and fishing tough. Learn more: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🌍 Happy International Volunteer Day! Thank you Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers for saving the state $5M in monitoring costs and providing vital long-term data. We couldn’t do this without you! Learn more or get involved: lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/for-voluntee...

🌱 Native species occur naturally in an area. In Florida, American eelgrass provides food and shelter for wildlife and keeps ecosystems balanced. When natives decline, systems strain. What native plants or animals have you seen? Learn more: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🐟 Threadfin Shad have deep, compressed bodies and filter feed on plankton, making them key forage fish for predators. Curious about Florida’s lake species? Explore the Handbook of Common Freshwater Fish: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0... 📸 Florida Museum

🌟 Missed the volunteer appreciation meeting? We covered invasive species: what they are, why they matter, and how to talk about them. Stay tuned for our Invasive Species Terminology Series starting with “Native species.” Learn more: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

📲 Stay Connected with LAKEWATCH! 🌊 Want to keep up with the latest on Florida’s lakes, wildlife, and water science? Follow us on your favorite social platform! 💙 🔗 Tap our Linktree to explore all our channels: linktr.ee/ufifaslakewa...

Cattle Egret 🪶 Feeding Fact: These clever birds follow livestock to catch insects stirred up by hooves. 🐄🪰 📘 Want to learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds? Explore the IFAS guide for fascinating species facts and habitat insights: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Rick Copeland After retiring from FDEP, Rick co-founded AquiferWatch and has sampled Lake Talquin with LAKEWATCH since 2004. Thanks to his leadership, 47 volunteers now monitor groundwater across 4 counties. 👏 Read more: new.express.adobe.com/webpage/i2x0...

🛶 Hillsborough County leads in water monitoring! 📍 In 2024, citizen scientists with FL LAKEWATCH sampled ~80 local water bodies. That’s more than any other FL county. 🧪 Their efforts support long-term water quality research statewide. 🔗 Full story: www.tampabeacon.com/news/volunte...

🌟 Taillight Shiner Fun Fact 🌟 These slender fish sport a red spot near their tail and swim in schools near the surface. 🌊✨ 🐠 Curious about Florida’s lake fish? Explore the Handbook of Common Freshwater Fish! 📊🌿 🔗 ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0... 📸 Zach Randall, FL Museum

🚰 Meet AquiferWatch: a volunteer-powered nonprofit monitoring groundwater in Florida! With help from FL LAKEWATCH & Alachua County, citizen scientists track nitrate levels in the Santa Fe River Basin. 📊 Results show declines! 🔗 Full story: new.express.adobe.com/webpage/i2x0...

Shoutout to Rollins College students making waves in lake monitoring! 📢 James Hall’s op-ed in The Sandspur highlights how students support FL LAKEWATCH, a statewide program empowering volunteers to collect water data. 🧪 Science meets stewardship www.thesandspur.org/op-ed-rollin... 📸 Matt Dorsey