On Saturday, Sept. 3, Florida residents and visitors will be able to fish in state saltwater fisheries without having to purchase a license. The day is part of eight total license-free fishing days offered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) each year. “As summer comes to a close, this license-free fishing day […]
fish, Fishing, Fishing License, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Governor Rick Scott
Advocacy has become one of the most important aspects of the saltwater angler’s public life. In this episode of From the Head, Sid Dobrin talks about the dangers of stagnation in fisheries policy advocacy. FISH ON!
Biscayne Bay, Biscayne National Park, fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Marine Protection Area, MPA, Nelson, Ros-Lehtinen, Rubio
At its April 13 meeting in Jupiter, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) set the 2016 recreational red snapper season in Gulf of Mexico state waters. The 2016 season will open Saturdays and Sundays in May starting May 7. On May 28, the season will open continuously through July 10. Finally, the season […]
fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Red Snapper
New recreational and commercial bag limits for barracuda go into effect November 1, 2015 for state and federal waters off Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties in Florida. The new limits include: Two fish per person daily recreational and commercial bag limit. Six fish per vessel daily recreational and commercial limit. The […]
barracuda, fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Regulations
Gag grouper will open for recreational harvest in most Gulf of Mexico state waters and all Gulf federal waters July 1. The same day, the season will close in state waters off the coast of Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties. The gag grouper recreational harvest season in Gulf of Mexico state waters, not including […]
fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, gag grouper, Grouper, Regulations
The red grouper recreational bag limit will change from four to two fish per person in Florida’s Gulf of Mexico state waters, excluding Monroe County, and in federal waters beginning on May 7. This change was approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at its November 2014 meeting. The Commission hopes that […]
fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, red grouper, Regulations
Anglers targeting grouper in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County, will be able to take home some of their catch starting May 1, when the season for several species reopens to recreational and commercial harvest. The following species will reopen to harvest May 1: gag, black, red, yellowmouth, yellowfin and tiger grouper; […]
fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Grouper
There’s something wonderful about having a shiny new card in your wallet. While paper licenses do their part, a plastic license that easily fits in among other cards has so many benefits. t doesn’t get accidentally tossed out with the receipts. It is waterproof. It doesn’t rip or wear. Due to popular demand, last fall […]
fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, License
At its meeting Feb. 5 in Jacksonville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) directed staff to host several workshops prior to the April Commission meeting in an effort to gather additional stakeholder input on the 2015 recreational red snapper season in Gulf state waters. The 2015 season preferred by the Commissioners that will […]
fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Gulf of Mexico, Red Snapper, Regulations
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) adopted a resolution to help raise awareness about the invasive-lionfish issue. At its meeting Feb. 5 in Jacksonville, the FWC designated the first Saturday after Mother’s Day each year to be Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day. On this day, through education and outreach, the FWC will encourage […]
fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Lionfish
Several species of grouper will close to recreational and commercial harvest starting January 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. This seasonal closure includes gag, black, red, yellowmouth, yellowfin and tiger grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby. State waters in the Atlantic are from shore out to 3 […]
fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Grouper, Regulations
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting a Gulf of Mexico red snapper workshop August 11, 2014 in St. Petersburg, Florida for recreational stakeholders to discuss state and federal management of recreational red snapper. The workshop will also explore potential future approaches to managing this fishery in an effort to ensure optimal […]
fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Gulf of Mexico, Red Snapper, Regulations
Last December, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) voted to change a rule that prevented charter boat captains and crew from keeping snapper and grouper caught on their vessels. That change goes into effect on Monday, January 27, 2014, allowing captains and crew to keep snapper and grouper according to recreational regulations. The Florida […]
fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Grouper, Snapper, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Tarpon and Bonefish The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission met today in Lakeland, Florida, and reached a number of decisions pertinent to Saltwater Nation anglers. Key among these are the approval of a proposal to make tarpon and bonefish catch-and-release only and to modify the allowable gear used for tarpon fishing in Boca Grande […]
Bonefish, fish, Fishing, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Snook, Tarpon
On April 17, 2013 the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted unanimously to move forward with a proposed plan to make tarpon and bonefish catch-and-release only in Florida waters. The FWC summarizes the full proposal as proposing these changes in fisheries management approaches: Eliminating all harvest of tarpon with the exception of the harvest or […]
Bonefish, Catch-and-Release, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Regulations, Tarpon