florida fishing regulations

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Time to get crackin’; spiny lobster seasons starts July 26

The 2017 spiny lobster season opens with the two-day recreational sport season July 26 and 27, followed by the regular commercial and recreational lobster season, which starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31, 2018. Planning on catching some of these tasty crustaceans? Here is what you need to know before you go. Where to harvest Know where you can go. Lobster harvest is always prohibited in Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Biscayne Bay-Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary,...

Anglers can take advantage of more Gulf red snapper fishing starting June 16

Friday, June 16, begins the first weekend of an additional 39-day season for recreational red snapper fishing in Gulf federal waters and changes to the state season. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced these expanded fishing opportunities today, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) followed with an executive order setting the updated season in state waters. The 39-day season is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Friday, June 16, through Monday, Sept. 4. Also included are Monday...

It’s official: Red snapper season extended through Nov. 21

Season opens Oct. 1 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Anglers got some good news on Sept. 2 as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) agreed to reopen the recreational harvest season for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico state waters for eight straight three-day weekends this fall.  This action coincides with a proposed open season for red snapper that is expected to be implemented in Gulf federal waters off of Florida on the same dates. “This is just...

Walton County fishing report for July 7

Fish is on everywhere! King mackerel, grouper, snapper, mingo and all the amberjack you can catch Fresh: River is good!  Shellcracker, bluegill, warmouth, catfish Bay: Big drums around 2-50 lbs., speckled trout, redfish is day-to-day Saltwater: Fish is on! Offshore: King mackerel, grouper, snapper, mingo and all the amberjack you can catch. Inshore: black snapper, grouper are being caught along the jetties. “I enjoyed being at the beach at Seacrest this fourth of July and enjoying the fireworks off the...

Florida state wide bass tournament offering million dollar bounty

To encourage bass anglers to catch and properly report the next Florida state record bass, Bounty Fishing is hosting a million dollar bass bounty Florida Fish Busters’ Bulletin by Bob Wattendorf Many of you know about the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Florida Black Bass Management plan.  In fact many of you have taken the opportunity to provide input via surveys at fishing shows, fishing club meetings or other venues. That information, along with scientific information about bass...

FWC responds to widespread cold-weather saltwater fish kills with temporary closures

Snook closure extended until September, temporarily closes bonefish and tarpon season until April Catch-and-release fishing still allowed •    Executive Order 10-02 (Dead Fish) Click here •    Executive Order 10-03 (Snook, Tarpon, Bonefish) Click here The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued executive orders to protect Florida’s snook, bonefish and tarpon fisheries from further harm caused by the recent prolonged cold weather in the state, which has caused widespread saltwater fish kills.  The FWC has received numerous reports...

Sport fishing for greater amberjack set to close in Gulf federal waters

National Marine Fisheries Service states quota has been met The recreational harvest and possession of greater amberjack in or from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico will be prohibited from Oct. 24 through Dec. 31.  Federal waters extend beyond nine nautical miles from shore in the Gulf off Florida.  The National Marine Fisheries Service announced this closure because an established annual recreational harvest quota for greater amberjack in the Gulf has been met. In addition, a person aboard a...