FWC News

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• Join the FWC for an open house on the Harris Chain of Lakes

  Friday, January 16, 2026 -  FWC biologists will showcase a variety of research and management projects taking place throughout the Harris Chain of Lakes.

• St. Johns River blue crab trap closure starts Jan. 16

  Friday, January 9, 2026 -  Recreational and commercial blue traps in the St. Johns River system must be removed from the water before Jan. 16.

• FWC invites the public to attend Lake Okeechobee listening sessions

  Tuesday, January 6, 2026 -  FWC will host two public listening sessions to gather community input on the management of fish, wildlife and habitat on Lake Okeechobee.

• FWC Announces 2025 Achievements in Conservation

  Wednesday, December 31, 2025 -  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced significant milestones achieved in 2025, as Florida continues to be a national leader in conservation and outdoor recreation under the stewardship of Governor Ron DeSantis. Recognized for its world-class fishing, hunting, and outdoor experiences, the state has made preserving its natural resources a top priority, ensuring they remain accessible for future generations.

• Apalachicola Bay reopens for recreational and commercial oyster harvesting Jan. 1 – Feb. 28

  Wednesday, December 31, 2025 -  On Jan. 1, the Apalachicola Bay will reopen through Feb. 28 for commercial Apalachicola Bay Endorsement holders and Apalachicola Bay Recreational Opportunity Permit holders. This is the first opportunity to harvest from the bay since 2020, thanks to the continued investments by the DeSantis Administration to expedite the restoration of the Apalachicola Bay Ecosystem. Over the last two decades, bay-wide declines in the oyster reef resulted in a reduction of oyster populations that led to a closure in the area in 2020. Since 2019, over $38 million has been invested in projects to expedite the restoration of a sustainable oyster industry.

• FWC releases results of 2025 black bear hunt

  Tuesday, December 30, 2025 -  After FWC staff presented options on highly regulated black bear hunting and the public provided their comments at the August and November 2025 Commission meetings, FWC Commissioners approved final proposed amendments to bear hunting rules, which took effect during the 2025 hunting season.

• Florida Agencies Recognize 2024 Jim Stevenson Resource Managers of the Year 

  Monday, December 22, 2025 -  Matthew Koenig serves as lead area biologist for Chinsegut, Perry Oldenburg and Janet Butterfield Brooks Wildlife and Environmental Areas.

• 2025: another big year for the Florida Saltwater State Records program!

  Monday, December 15, 2025 -  The program has seen a drastic increase in participation since launching the Adult and Youth Length and Youth All Tackle categories last year.

• FWC sinks 227-foot freight vessel to build new marine habitat

  Friday, December 12, 2025 -  The ship now rests nearly 200 feet below the surface in Martin County, 9 miles offshore of the St. Lucie Inlet.

• FWC: Governor Ron DeSantis’ Floridians First Budget prioritizes Florida’s oyster reefs, manatees and Floridians' constitutional right to boat, fish, and hunt

  Thursday, December 11, 2025 -  With more than 34 million acres of public and private land and over 12,000 square miles of water, maintaining our fish and wildlife resources is critical to sustaining a healthy way of life and a robust economy.