Catch and Release is an important conservation tool. Catch and release fishing helps to sustain native fish populations by allowing more fish to remain and reproduce in the ecosystem. This practice provides an opportunity for more people to… Read More
Catch-and-Release is an important conservation tool. Catch and release fishing helps to sustain native fish populations by allowing more fish to remain and reproduce in the ecosystem. This practice provides an opportunity for more people to enjoy fishing… Read More
It has been a bad year for red tide throughout southwest Florida. The bloom we’ve been experiencing started last year around September and has persisted since. Blooms lasting this long are not unheard of and actually scientists have… Read More
Late last month, an FWC officer observed a lionfish swimming off the Laishley Pier in Punta Gorda. This is the third documented lionfish sighting inside Charlotte Harbor, and it’s also the most up harbor. Laishley Pier is actually… Read More
Fishing license rules can be confusing, especially if you’re new to Florida or don’t know where to get good information. We have fishing license requirements for fresh water and salt water. We also have fishing regulations that apply… Read More
Two recent deaths in Florida have raised concern about the saltwater-dwelling bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus. MOST HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT AT RISK FOR V. vulnificus INFECTION, however, to ensure that your time on the water is safe and enjoyable,… Read More
NOAA just released their findings for a study where they evaluated the economics of independent marine recreational fishing bait and tackle retail stores. The results are in 2013 dollars and are reported for the U.S. and by federal… Read More
July 1st means recreational gag grouper season for us here in the Gulf (minus Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor, Jefferson and Monroe counties). Anglers can harvest 2 gags within a 4 grouper aggregate (gag, red, black, rockhind/redhind, scamp, yellowfin/yellow mouth)… Read More
Most anglers understand we have two snook closures annually; each for very different reasons. The December through February closure protects snook during the cold weather and the May to September closure protects spawning snook. The size limits for… Read More
In March, Florida Sea Grant and NOAA partnered to conduct a series of workshops aimed at clarifying existing fisheries regulations for offshore recreational and commercial fishermen. Six workshops took place in Florida. During the workshops NOAA National Marine… Read More
