FWC News

Showing 1 through 10 of 403 articles for tag saltwater

• 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.

• 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 proposes Phase III changes to Marine Special Activity License program

  Wednesday, February 4, 2026 -  The proposed changes to the Marine Special Activity License Program incorporate an updated policy on the collection of prohibited species for education and exhibition that increases restrictions on the collection of species listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

• UPDATED: FWC approves holistic management approach for spotted seatrout

  Wednesday, February 4, 2026 -  At its February meeting, the FWC approved new management regions and regulations for spotted seatrout as a part of FWC’s holistic regional management approach.

• Applications for FWC’s Atlantic Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permits project open on Jan. 30

  Friday, January 30, 2026 -  The FWC will begin accepting applications Jan. 30 for Quarter 3 (March-May 2026) of the Atlantic Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permits project.

• Recreational harvest of snook for most of Florida’s east coast will open Feb. 1

  Thursday, January 29, 2026 -  The recreational harvest of snook in the Northeast, Indian River Lagoon and Southeast management regions will open Feb. 1 and remain open through May 31.