In 2009, long time friend and once co-worker at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Steve Lopez became a Southern Sportsman Aquatics & Land Management partner.  After earning his degree in biology/chemistry from Florida State University he spent 15 years developing his skills as a Fisheries Biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).  After his first year in Lake City, Steve came to work with me at the Jacksonville, Florida laboratory.  Steve and I worked together for nine years.

     During his tenure with FWC, he researched and managed small man-made impounds to provide quality bass, panfish, and catfish fishing opportunities in northeast Florida; conducted long-term fisheries monitoring and research on large natural waterbodies and rivers; and implemented habitat/wetland restoration projects to improve function and fisheries.  His experience includes large river systems, associated tributaries, wetlands, and lakes/ponds from ½ - 12,000 acres.  Steve took over as the lead Fisheries Biologist when I left the Jacksonville Field Lab in 2004 and participated as a fisheries expert in internal, public, and other governmental agency teams, committees, and workshops.

      Steve’s enthusiasm for the outdoors began as he was young, accompanying his father hunting rabbits in Germany, birds and deer in South Carolina and fishing everywhere he moved.  Since settling in Florida in 1978 Steve has continued to enjoy the time he is able to spend in the outdoors, hunting and fishing throughout the South and in up-state New York.  He has owned a chocolate lab who has been a good hunting partner for nine years.  He has been a member of Ducks Unlimited and local committee member since 1995.

More About Steve Lopez

     After 15 years working to advance my career with the state of Florida, knowledge, and skills; I did not want to spend the last half working behind a desk.  Although I enjoy the challenges of administration; I chose this profession because I appreciate getting my hands dirty working to improve fish and wildlife resources for sportsmen.  Working as a partner with Southern Sportsman Aquatic & Land Management will allow me to utilize ALL my skills as a biologist: cooperating as a decision maker, educating landowners on the Why’s and How’s to achieve a quality recreational fish & wildlife resource, and implementing the field work.  I look forward to the new opportunities that each resource offers and working with clients to achieve their fish & wildlife management goals.