FWC News

Showing 1 through 10 of 398 articles for tag saltwater

• 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.

• Catch a Florida Memory celebrates 10 years of reeling in memories

  Tuesday, January 20, 2026 -  To celebrate the 10-year anniversary and thank participants, Catch a Florida Memory is launching new challenges, program updates and enhanced prizing throughout 2026.

• St. Johns River blue crab trap closure starts Jan. 16

  Friday, January 9, 2026 -  Recreational and commercial blue traps in the St. Johns River system must be removed from the water before Jan. 16.

• 2025: another big year for the Florida Saltwater State Records program!

  Monday, December 15, 2025 -  The program has seen a drastic increase in participation since launching the Adult and Youth Length and Youth All Tackle categories last year.

• 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.