FWC News

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• 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.

• Help plan the future of Cypress Creek WMA

  Tuesday, March 24, 2026 -  The FWC will present the draft materials for the Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area 10-year Land Management Plan at a public hearing in Columbia County on Tuesday, April 28.

• Florida students excel at 2026 State Archery Tournament in Gainesville

  Tuesday, March 24, 2026 -  NASP is an in-school program designed to teach international-style target archery to students in grades 4-12 as part of their physical education curriculum, and it is sponsored in Florida by the FWC.

• What does it mean to be BearWise® this spring?

  Monday, March 23, 2026 -  Spring has arrived, and wildlife across Florida is becoming more active. The FWC encourages residents and visitors to be BearWise® and remain alert for bears as they emerge from their winter rest.

• FWC shares tips to protect nesting sea turtles

  Tuesday, March 17, 2026 -  The FWC is reminding residents and visitors how they can help protect vulnerable nesting and hatchling sea turtles while enjoying Florida’s coastal areas.

• FWC stocks 800 yellow perch to restore Dead Lakes population

  Thursday, March 12, 2026 -  FWC biologists, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stocked more than 3,000 yellow perch in Dead Lakes in 2024 and an additional 800 yellow perch last month.