FWC News

Showing 1 through 10 of 332 articles for tag regulations

• 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.

• FWC approves new rules for hunting and managed areas  

  Thursday, February 5, 2026 -  At its February Meeting, the FWC Commission approved rule changes related to the 2026-27 hunting season, including specific regulations on Wildlife Management Areas and Wildlife Environmental Areas.

• FWC approves proposed amendments to Indian River County manatee zones for advertising

  Wednesday, February 4, 2026 -  At its February Commission meeting, FWC Commissioners voted to approve proposed rule amendments to manatee protection zones in Indian River County for advertising.

• Recreational harvest of flounder reopens Dec. 1

  Tuesday, November 25, 2025 -  The minimum size limit for flounder is 14 inches total length and the daily recreational bag limit is five fish per person.

• Seasonal closure for recreational snook harvest begins Dec. 1 on Florida’s west coast and Dec.15 on east coast

  Monday, November 24, 2025 -  This includes all Florida state and inland waters within each management region as well as adjacent federal waters.

• Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Management Proposal for Atlantic Red Snapper Season  

  Monday, November 10, 2025 -  The FWC submitted an Exempted Fishing Permit to the U.S. Commerce Secretary that, upon approval, will allow Florida to assume management of the recreational red snapper fishery off the Atlantic Coast in 2026.

• Apply for Apalachicola Bay oyster harvest beginning Nov.10 

  Monday, November 10, 2025 -  Those interested can apply anytime between Nov. 10-Dec. 16, for the upcoming 2026 season, which will run from Jan. 1-Feb. 28.

• FWC proposes changes for spotted seatrout management 

  Thursday, November 6, 2025 -  The proposed new regions would allow the FWC to better capture local differences in the fishery using an adaptive holistic management approach. 

• FWC approves wildlife trapping proposed rule amendments for advertising

  Thursday, November 6, 2025 -  The rule proposals are expected to be brought back before the Commission at a future meeting for a final hearing.

• FWC approves Phase II changes to Marine Special Activity License program

  Thursday, November 6, 2025 -  We encourage all interested parties who would like to provide feedback on additional changes to the Marine SAL program rules to submit comments or recommendations.