FWC News

Showing 1 through 10 of 409 articles for tag saltwater

• 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. 

• 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).

• Recreational harvest of snook for Florida’s west coast will close May 1

  Tuesday, April 28, 2026 -  The recreational harvest of snook in the Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor and Southwest management regions will close May 1.

• 2026 FWC Lionfish Challenge expands with new categories and prize opportunities

  Friday, April 17, 2026 -  The challenge will feature several exciting new competition categories designed to recognize a wider range of participants and prize packages.

• FWC announces winners of 2026 Florida Fish Art Contest

  Tuesday, April 7, 2026 -  This contest encourages students to depict native fish species in their natural Florida habitat and to learn about what those species eat and where they live.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.