FWC News
Showing 1 through 10 of 414 articles for tag saltwater
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Spiny lobster sport season begins tomorrow
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 - The 2026 Florida spiny lobster season kicks off with the two-day recreational sport season on July 29-30, followed by the spiny lobster regular season beginning Aug. 6 continuing through March 31, 2027. -
Applications for Apalachicola Bay Recreational Opportunity (ABRO) Permits are open
Friday, July 17, 2026 - FWC began accepting applications for the Apalachicola Bay Recreational Opportunity (ABRO) Permit for the October 2026 wild oyster harvest season. -
Bay scallop season in Pasco County opens July 10
Friday, July 10, 2026 - The 2026 recreational bay scallop season in Pasco County opens July 10 and will remain open through Aug 18. -
FWC wants your input on future management of cownose rays
Friday, July 10, 2026 - FWC is holding virtual workshops to gather public input on staff recommendations to establish saltwater fishing regulations for cownose rays. -
Bay scallop season opens July 1 in Franklin – NW Taylor County region and Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 - The 2026 recreational bay scallop season from Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County (including Carrabelle, Lanark and St. Marks) as well as portions of Levy County and all of Citrus and Hernando counties (including Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa) opens July 1 and will remain open through Sept. 24. -
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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). -
![Map of Snook Management Regions]()
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. -
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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.

