FWC News

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• FWC announces winners of 2026 Florida Fish Art Contest

  Tuesday, April 7, 2026 -  This contest encourages students to depict native fish species in their natural Florida habitat and to learn about what those species eat and where they live.

• FWC upgrading navigation markers in Suwannee River to improve boater safety

  Tuesday, April 7, 2026 -  The FWC is replacing and relocating degraded aids-to-navigation markers in McGriff Pass, Alligator Pass and Salt Creek of the Suwannee River.

• Maternity season starts April 16 for Florida’s bats

  Monday, April 6, 2026 -  Florida’s bat maternity season, the time when most of our state’s bats give birth and raise their young, starts on April 16 and lasts through Aug. 14 each year. During maternity season, it is illegal to block bats from returning to their roosts.

• FWC reminds waterway users to rent from permitted liveries and follow safety requirements 

  Friday, April 3, 2026 -  FWC reminds residents and visitors to enjoy Florida’s waterways safely and responsibly. Whether renting a motorized boat, a personal watercraft (PWC/Jet-Ski), canoe, kayak or paddleboard, it is critical to rent from a permitted livery.

• Florida WildQuest returns April 25: Join a statewide scavenger hunt on Florida’s WMAs

  Tuesday, March 31, 2026 -  FWC invites Florida residents and visitors of all ages to join Florida WildQuest, a statewide scavenger hunt experience on Florida’s Wildlife Management Areas April 25-May 3.

• Permit spawning season closure inside the Special Permit Zone starts April 1 

  Monday, March 30, 2026 -  The spawning season closure for permit inside the Special Permit Zone in south Florida begins April 1.

• Spiny lobster season closes April 1 

  Monday, March 30, 2026 -  The recreational and commercial spiny lobster harvest seasons in both state and federal waters will close on April 1 and reopen on Aug. 6.

• FWC: Get started fishing this license-free freshwater fishing weekend!

  Monday, March 30, 2026 -  This spring's license-free fishing weekend is on April 4 and 5 and invites residents and visitors to explore the many recreational freshwater fishing opportunities Florida has to offer.

• New 10-inch minimum size limit and 20 fish per harvester bag limit effective April 1 for recreational Gulf lane snapper

  Monday, March 30, 2026 -  Last November, FWC approved rule changes for lane snapper in Florida’s Gulf state waters to reduce the risk of overfishing and align with current and pending federal regulations. The new regulations will take effect on April 1.

• Go slow and look out below — manatees are on the move

  Wednesday, March 25, 2026 -  FWC is sharing the springtime reminder that Florida’s manatees are starting to naturally disperse from their winter refuges. Boaters and other watercraft users are advised to go slow and look out below for the slow-moving mammals when on the water.