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  • 23 Feb 2024 10:05 AM | Paul Vogt (Administrator)

    Recreational harvest of snook for Florida’s West Coast will open March 1 

    The recreational harvest of snook in the Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor and Southwest management regions will open March 1, and remain open through April 30. This includes all Florida state and inland waters as well as adjacent federal waters within each management region. 

    These regions and regulations are part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) holistic management approach for Florida's most popular inshore fisheries. Through this approach, seven metrics are used to evaluate the fishery by region, adding a holistic perspective to management decisions and allowing the FWC to address regional concerns. To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/Snook. 

    Panhandle

    Open season:  March 1 – April 30 and Sept. 1 – Nov. 30.

    Closed season: Dec. 1 – end of Feb. and May 1 – Aug. 31.

    Bag limit: One fish per person per day.

    Slot limit: 28–32 inches total length.

    Boundaries: The western boundary is the Florida-Alabama border and the region extends to the eastern coastal boundary at 84°20.800ꞌ West Longitude in Franklin County near Alligator Point. Includes all inland waters of the counties named and colored yellow on the map. Does not include all waters of the Ochlockonee Bay, the Ochlockonee River and its tributaries.

    map of Panhandle Snook Management Region

    Big Bend

    Open season:  March 1 – April 30 and Sept. 1 – Nov. 30.

    Closed season: Dec. 1 – end of Feb. and May 1 – Aug. 31.

    Bag limit: One fish per person per day.

    Slot limit: 28–32 inches total length.

    Boundaries: The western coastal boundary is 84°20.800ꞌ West Longitude in Franklin County near Alligator Point. The region extends east and south to Fred Howard Park, near the border of Pasco and Pinellas counties. Includes all waters of the Ochlockonee, Withlacoochee and Anclote rivers and their tributaries. This region also includes all inland waters of the counties named and colored yellow on the map.

    map of Big Bend Snook Management Region

    Tampa Bay

    Open season:  March 1 – April 30 and Sept. 1 – Nov. 30.

    Closed season: Dec. 1 – end of Feb. and May 1 – Aug. 31.

    Bag limit: One fish per person per day.

    Slot limit: 28–32 inches total length.

    Boundaries: The northern coastal boundary is Fred Howard Park, near the border of Pasco and Pinellas counties and the region extends south to State Road 64 in Manatee County. Includes all inland waters of the area colored yellow on the map. Includes all waters of the Alafia, Braden, Manatee, and Hillsborough rivers and their tributaries. Does not include the waters of Palma Sola Bay and all waters of the Anclote River and its tributaries. 

    map of tampa bay Snook Management Region

    Sarasota Bay

    Open season:  March 1 – April 30 and Sept. 1 – Nov. 30.

    Closed season: Dec. 1 – end of Feb. and May 1 – Aug. 31.

    Bag limit: One fish per person per day.

    Slot limit: 28–32 inches total length.

    Boundaries: The northern coastal boundary is State Road 64 in Manatee County and the region extends south to 27°04.727’ North Latitude, near the Venice Municipal Airport. Includes all waters of Palma Sola Bay, Phillippi Creek, Cow Pen Slough Canal and Curry Creek. Includes all inland waters of the are colored yellow on the map. Does not include the waters of the Braden and Manatee rivers.

    map of sarasota bay Snook Management Region

    Charlotte Harbor

    Open season:  March 1 – April 30 and Oct. 1 – Nov. 30.

    Closed season: Dec. 1 – end of Feb. and May 1 – Sept. 30.

    Bag limit: One fish per person per day.

    Slot limit: 28–32 inches total length.

    Boundaries: The northern coastal boundary is 27°04.727’ North Latitude, near the Venice Municipal Airport, and the region extends south to 26°15.227’ North Latitude, near Vanderbilt Beach Road in Collier County. Includes all inland waters of the area colored yellow on the map. Includes all waters of the Caloosahatchee, Myakka and Peace rivers and their tributaries. Does not include Lake Okeechobee.

    map of charlotte harbor Snook Management Region

    Southwest

    Open season:  March 1 – April 30 and Oct. 1 – Nov. 30.

    Closed season: Dec. 1 – end of Feb. and May 1 – Sept. 30.

    Bag limit: One fish per person per day.

    Slot limit: 28–32 inches total length.

    Boundaries: The northern boundary is 26°15.227’ North Latitude, near Vanderbilt Beach Road in Collier County, and the region extends through the Florida Keys to the Monroe/Miami-Dade county line. Includes all inland waters of the area colored yellow on the map and all waters of Everglades National Park.

    map of southwest Snook Management Region

    For more information on recreational snook regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Snook. This page includes the snook annual reviews that provide summaries of key findings from the annual evaluation of management metrics for each region.


  • 21 Feb 2024 3:27 PM | Paul Vogt (Administrator)

    FWC approves Pasco Zone bay scallop season change 

    At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a change to the bay scallop season for the Pasco Zone management region. This regulation change, which goes into effect this year, sets a 40-day season for the Pasco Zone that starts on July 10 and will run through Aug. 18 annually. The long-term season dates were informed by the 2023 post-season monitoring results by FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute as well as input received from stakeholders at virtual public workshops, in-person meetings and public comments.  

    “Along with moving away from the Independence Day holiday, the longer season will increase both the public’s safety and access to one of our state’s most fun family resources,” said FWC Commissioner Preston Farrior. “There will be many positive impacts for the local communities.” 

    The Pasco Zone bay scallop region includes all state waters between the Hernando – Pasco county line and the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, and includes all waters of the Anclote River. 

    For more information, including the February 2024 Commission meeting presentation, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and click on “Commission Meetings.” 

    For current recreational bay scallops regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Scallops.


  • 19 Feb 2024 8:01 AM | Paul Vogt (Administrator)

    Recreational regulation changes for Atlantic snowy grouper begin Feb. 25 

    Starting Feb. 25, the snowy grouper recreational season will close in Atlantic state waters, including all state waters of Monroe County. The modified recreational season is May 1 through June 30, with a new reduced possession limit of one fish per vessel per day. These changes are consistent with regulations in adjacent Atlantic federal waters. 

    Last year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved recreational management changes for snowy grouper and several other reef fish to be consistent with recent federal changes. Consistent regulations between state and federal waters can help improve the stock status of these fisheries, prevent federal closures while allowing harvest opportunities coast-wide and aid in enforcement. 

    For current recreational snowy grouper regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations,” “Reef Fish” and then “Grouper,” or download the Fish Rules App.


  • 06 Feb 2024 2:28 PM | Paul Vogt (Administrator)

    FWC to meet Feb. 21-22 in Tallahassee

    The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet in person Feb. 21-22 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, Meeting Room A, 505 W. Pensacola St., Tallahassee, Florida, 32301. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. ET each day and is open to the public.

    The FWC is committed to providing opportunities for public input. There are several opportunities prior to the Commission meeting to provide comments. Also, time is allotted for public speakers at the Commission meeting.

    Public speaking is organized using a speaker registration process and time limits. To accommodate as much input as possible from those attending, the Chairman reserves the right to designate the amount of time given to each topic and speaker. To ensure adequate time to address the business needs of the Commission, there will be no more than two hours of public comment on items not on the agenda at this meeting. Public comment on items not on the agenda will be heard at the end of the second day, Feb. 22. The deadline for registration to speak on items not on the agenda is 10 a.m. on Feb. 22. 

    For the full Feb. 21-22 agenda and links to background reports, go to MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings.” Those who cannot attend can follow coverage at Twitter.com/MyFWC (@MyFWC) and sign up for news updates at MyFWC.com. Check the Florida Channel for possible live video coverage at TheFloridaChannel.org. 


  • 02 Feb 2024 8:56 AM | Paul Vogt (Administrator)

    SUPPORT THE LAKES ACT 

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is one of the nation's largest federal outdoor recreation providers, managing nearly 257,000 facilities across 43 states. Visitors to these sites can enjoy recreational activities like fishing, boating, hiking, camping and hunting.

    Surprisingly, unlike National Park and U.S. Forest Service sites, local USACE site managers cannot retain revenue from fees collected onsite. In other words, fees collected at a given site do not necessarily support the operations and maintenance of that site.

    Fortunately, a bill called the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong Act (LAKES Act) has been introduced in Congress to correct this. The LAKES Act would allow the USACE to retain 80% of recreation fees collected onsite and includes other benefits that should improve access to fishing opportunities and infrastructure like boat ramps and other facilities.

    Tell your Members of Congress to support the LAKES Act today!

    1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 501, Alexandria, VA 22314
    American Sportfishing Association © 2018 All rights reserved.


  • 01 Feb 2024 10:09 AM | Paul Vogt (Administrator)

    A Record-Breaking Success!
    Thank you to everyone who participated in purchasing a license during Governor Ron DeSantis Great Outdoors Initiative, providing 50% discounts on Gold Sportsman licenses and state park annual passes!

    FWC sold more than 75,000 sportsman licenses; that is over a 400% increase in sales compared to this same period last year. We can’t wait to see what activities you choose to experience Florida’s great outdoors to the fullest!

    Now that you have your license, how will you be enjoying our state’s natural resources?
    #Floridians

  • 01 Feb 2024 10:07 AM | Paul Vogt (Administrator)

    Helping cold-stunned sea turtles

    The FWC staff have been working diligently with FWC-authorized partners to respond to sea turtles affected by our recent low water and air temperatures in St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County, with the team and FWC officers in the region rescuing a total of 66 cold-stunned green turtles.

    When water temps drop to 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below, sea turtles may become cold-stunned, where they become weak and unable to swim. Cold-stunned sea turtles may float listlessly in the water on or near shore. Although these turtles may appear to be dead, they are often still alive.

    If you see injured, distressed or dead sea turtles, please report it to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

    Learn more about how cold-stunning affects turtles: https://bit.ly/3StNrP0

  • 01 Feb 2024 10:04 AM | Paul Vogt (Administrator)

    Snook Season Starting Soon!

    The recreational harvest of snook in the Northeast, Indian River Lagoon and Southeast management regions will open February 1 and remain open through May 31. This includes all Florida state and inland waters as well as adjacent federal waters within each management region.

    Find out more details including region boundaries, bag limit, slot limit, and season dates: MyFWC.com/Snook

    Full Story: https://bit.ly/3SwHEZ9

    Recreational harvest of snook in the Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and Southwest management regions will open Mar. 1 and remain open through Apr. 30.

    View our Social Media Policy: https://bit.ly/3qsncNb


  • 13 Dec 2019 9:03 AM | Anonymous

    At its meeting in Panama City Beach, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved several rule changes for spotted seatrout. Spotted seatrout are one of Florida’s most popular inshore fisheries. Based on the results of a recent stock assessment and after hearing concerns from anglers, FWC worked with stakeholders to create a suite of regulatory changes that would benefit the spotted seatrout as well as continue to provide quality fishing opportunities. 

    The following rules will go into effect Feb. 1, 2020:

    •  Creating two new zones by splitting the Northwest spotted seatrout management zone into the: (See maps below.)
      • Western Panhandle (Escambia County through the portions of Gulf County west of longitude 85 degrees, 13.76 minutes but NOT including Indian Pass/Indian Lagoon). 
      • Big Bend (remaining portion of Gulf County plus Indian Lagoon, and Franklin County through Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County). 
    •  Creating the renamed South Florida zone (Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line through Broward County) and Central East zone (Palm Beach through Volusia counties) by moving the boundary between the southern management zones. (See maps below.)
    •  Reducing bag limits
      •  Western Panhandle: five to three fish.
      •  Big Bend: no change (remains five fish).
      •  South Florida: four to three fish.
      •  Central East: four to two fish.
      •  Northeast: six to five fish. 
    • Modifying the recreational slot size limit from 15-to-20 inches to 15-to-19 inches total length.
    • Allowing one seatrout over 19 inches per vessel (currently per harvester).
    • Prohibiting captain and crew from keeping a bag limit on a for-hire trip.
    • Re-establishing the February recreational closure in the Western Panhandle zone and the November-December recreational closure in the Central East zone.
    • Reducing the current daily commercial limits to 50 per harvester and 100 per vessel.
    •  Removing an unnecessary commercial reporting form.

    Learn More


  • 24 Oct 2019 8:36 AM | Anonymous

    The recreational harvest of greater amberjack in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters closes Nov. 1 and will remain closed through April 30, 2020.  The season is scheduled to reopen May 1-31, 2020.

    This seasonal harvest closure is intended to help conserve the Gulf greater amberjack population and rebuild this fishery for the future.

    Learn more about recreational fishing at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing” and “Recreational Regulations.”


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