Miami Lakes reports 676 bass stocked at Lake Hilda and Lake Patricia, increases summer treatments

Vice Mayor Morera opened the July 16 workshop by asking staff for an update on lake maintenance. John Yanez, special projects manager for the parks department, told the council Solitude Lake Management stocked "338 bass at 2 to 3 inches per bass" at each lake on June 5 — 676 fish total between Lake Patricia and Lake Hilda — and provided photos of the stocking.

Yanez said the town has increased summer water-treatment cycles "from twice a month to 3 times in 1 month, from June through September" to address seasonal algae growth. The change, he said, is consistent with prior years and intended "to combat algae growth, especially during the summer times that it gets warmer." Council members asked about survival and growth timelines for the newly stocked fish; Yanez said Titan bass are appropriate for local temperatures but that not all stocked fish will survive and he would follow up with the council on how long they typically take to reach full size.

Councilmember Sanchez and Councilman Garcia asked whether the timing of stocking considered temperature sensitivity of smaller fish; Yanez replied the ideal months are March–April but the batch had reached an appropriate growth stage for release. Vice Mayor Morera and other council members noted residents report seeing the fish near docks in the weeks since the stocking.

As part of the lake update, Yanez said the contractor performs lake testing in addition to treatment and confirmed the town had shared images of the stocking with the council. There were no formal actions on the item; staff said they would provide the council with a follow-up on growth timelines.

The council moved on after members expressed general satisfaction with the stocking and the increased summer-treatment schedule.