Everglades National Park officials have proposed a pole-and-troll zone in Snake Bight -- a popular, shallow-water fishing area in Florida Bay near Flamingo, and they want to know what anglers think about it.

According to a news release from the park, boats would be allowed to use push poles, paddles and electric trolling motors in the new zone; combustion motors would be prohibited. To access the area, boats would be allowed to run on plane in Snake Bight and Tin Can channels. In adjacent Jimmie's Lake, boats would have to operate at idle speed in waters deeper than two feet.

Park officials said the aim is to help protect seagrass and wildlife habitat, and to enhance shallow-water fishing, wildlife viewing and paddling opportunities.

Pole-and-troll zones are nothing new in Florida waters. They have been employed to protect seagrass and avoid disturbing nesting birds and cruising manatees in the waters of the Mosquito Lagoon and Tampa Bay for years.

The idea was proposed during recent public workshops in South Florida to develop a general management plan for Everglades National Park. After weighing input from park visitors, managers have decided to pursue pole-and-troll zones before completing work on the long-range management plan.

Public meetings will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at John D. Campbell Agricultural Center, 18710 SW 288 St., Homestead; and from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Key Largo Holiday Inn, 99701 Overseas Highway.

The deadline for public comment is Nov. 30. If you can't attend a meeting, you can comment online at nps.gov/ever under ``Everglades National Park Planning -- Proposed Florida Bay Pole and Troll Zone.''

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