FWC News

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• FWC to conduct prescribed burn on Lake Okeechobee

  Tuesday, June 2, 2026 -  FWC, in coordination with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), plans to conduct a prescribed burn on Eagle Bay Island and Kings Bar on the north side of Lake Okeechobee this week, weather permitting.

• FWC announces winners of the School Fishing Program’s Fishing & Conservation Challenge

  Monday, June 1, 2026 -  Congratulations to Independence Classical Academy for placing first in the Challenge, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy for placing second, and David L. Anderson Middle School for placing third in the FWC School Fishing Program's Fishing and Conservation Challenge.

• Recreational harvest of snook for Florida’s east coast will close June 1

  Thursday, May 28, 2026 -  The recreational harvest of snook in the Northeast, Indian River Lagoon and Southeast management regions will close June 1 and l reopen Sept. 1. 

• Your watch starts now! FWC unveils Florida Wildlife Watch photo project

  Wednesday, May 27, 2026 -  Through Florida Wildlife Watch, participants will identify images of animals captured on trail cameras deployed across the FWC’s Wildlife Management Area system, which spans more than 6 million acres of public lands throughout the state.

• CORRECTED RELEASE: 2026 Florida Python Challenge™ dates announced — registration now open

  Tuesday, May 19, 2026 -  The 2026 Florida Python Challenge, hosted by FWC and the South Florida Water Management District, features an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 for the registered participant who removes the most pythons.

• FWC to host wildlife workshop for livestock owners

  Monday, May 18, 2026 -  FWC is hosting an in-person “Living with Wildlife: Safeguarding Pets and Livestock” workshop on May 30 in Naples.

• FWC approves final changes to Marine Special Activity License program

  Wednesday, May 13, 2026 -  At its May meeting, the FWC approved final changes to improve the Marine Special Activity License (SAL) program.

• FWC issues executive order to close recreational harvest of gag grouper in Atlantic state waters starting August 2

  Wednesday, May 13, 2026 -  At its May meeting in Ft. Myers, the FWC issued an executive order to close the recreational harvest of gag grouper in state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including all state waters off Monroe County.

• Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Expanded 2026 Red Snapper Seasons and Applauds Federal Approval of Atlantic Red Snapper State Management 

  Monday, May 11, 2026 -  Governor Ron DeSantis announced the 2026 Gulf private recreational red snapper season and applauded federal approval of Florida’s Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP).

• FWC to meet May 13 in Ft. Myers

  Wednesday, May 6, 2026 -  The FWC will meet in person on May 13 at 8:30 a.m. at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, 1375 Monroe St., Ft. Myers, FL 33901.