FWC News

Showing 1 through 10 of 559 articles for tag fishing

• 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.

• 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.

• FWC stocks 300,000 Florida bass into Lake George

  Thursday, March 12, 2026 -  FWC recently stocked nearly 300,000 Florida bass in Lake George, part of the St. Johns River system.

• FWC invites public to attend 31st Annual Tenoroc Youth Fishing Derby

  Friday, March 6, 2026 -  FWC invites the public to a free youth freshwater fishing derby at the Tenoroc Fish Management Area in Lakeland on Saturday, April 4, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-registration is required and begins March 1.

• Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish opens March 1 in Gulf state and federal waters

  Friday, February 27, 2026 -  Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish will open in Gulf state and federal waters on March 1.

• FWC’s Catch a Florida Memory Triple Threat Throwdown Season 4 Starts March 1

  Thursday, February 26, 2026 -  FWC 's Catch a Florida Memory continues its 10-year “Catch-a-versary” celebration in 2026, the FWC is excited to announce that the Triple Threat Throwdown is back for Season 4!

• FWC hosts public workshops to gather input on recreational Gulf gag grouper management  

  Wednesday, February 18, 2026 -  hese workshops are intended to engage stakeholders and discuss future management options, including state management, for Gulf gag grouper.

• FWC announces public meetings to discuss new freshwater commercial fishing updates

  Tuesday, February 10, 2026 -  FWC will hold in-person public meetings to gather input on proposed rule amendments to freshwater commercial fishing regulations. Proposed updates would include implementation of an electronic trip ticket catch reporting system utilizing the VESL system currently used by saltwater commercial anglers, incorporation of quality control guidelines for all licensed freshwater commercial harvesters and updates to the Lake Okeechobee haul seine fishery.