F I S H I N G R E G U L A T I O N S
F
2017 FWC Commission
Meeting Dates and Locations................... 2
Saltwater Fishing Shows and Events ........ 2
2017 License Free Fishing Days ............... 2
Message from Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission Chairman
Brian Yablonski ............................................4
FWC Offices ............................................. 5
Know Your Management Zones ................ 6
Hooked a Bird? ........................................ 7
2017 Lionfish Challenge ........................... 8
Fish Tags .............................................. 10
Marine Fisheries Comments ................... 10
Basic Regulations:
Reef Fish and Pelagics .................... 11-12
Coastal Species ................................... 13
Crustaceans and Mollusks .................... 14
Sharks and Prohibited Species .............. 14
Unregulated Species ............................ 15
Recreational Traps ................................. 15
New Artificial Reefs ............................... 16
Fishing in the Bahamas .......................... 17
Recreational Gear .................................. 18
Spearing ................................................ 19
Angler Recognition Programs ............ 20-21
Marine Life Regulations ......................... 22
How to Recycle Your Fishing Line ........... 23
FWC Division of Law Enforcement .......... 23
Licenses and Permits ............................. 24
Contact us
Go to MyFWC.com for up-to-date information on recreational saltwater fishing
regulations, news and events as well as
resources, publications and videos.
Visit the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife
Research Institute online at
MyFWC.com/Research
For federal fishing regulations,
please contact:
ʄ Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council
888-833-1844
www.gulfcouncil.org
ʄ South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council
866-SAFMC-10
www.safmc.net
ʄ National Marine Fisheries Service
(NOAA Fisheries)
727-824-5301
www.nmfs.noaa.gov
For additional information
please contact:
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission
MyFWC.com
Division of Marine Fisheries Management
2590 Executive Center Circle East
Berkeley Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
850-487-0554
Wildlife alert
reward program
Report fish and wildlife law violations
by calling toll-free 1-888-404-FWCC
(3922); on cell phones, dial *FWC or
#FWC depending on service carrier; or
click MyFWC.com/Contact.
On the cover
Mike Tuck with a triple tail from
Yankeetown, FL.
Have a picture for the cover?
Please send your photographs to:
Saltwater@MyFWC.com.
Eszter Keresztes
When you buy your
license online, it’s fast,
convenient and saves
time and travel.
You can obtain a license 24 hours a day
at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and begin
fishing immediately!
Licenses are also available toll-free at
1-888-FISHFLORIDA (1-888-347-4356).
Processing fees apply to telephone and
Internet sales.
Buy your license online!
B B B B
42
F
2017 FWC Commission
Meeting Dates and Locations................... 2
Saltwater Fishing Shows and Events ........ 2
2017 License Free Fishing Days ............... 2
Message from Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission Chairman
Brian Yablonski ............................................4
FWC Offices ............................................. 5
Know Your Management Zones ................ 6
Hooked a Bird? ........................................ 7
2017 Lionfish Challenge ........................... 8
Fish Tags .............................................. 10
Marine Fisheries Comments ................... 10
Basic Regulations:
Reef Fish and Pelagics .................... 11-12
Coastal Species ................................... 13
Crustaceans and Mollusks .................... 14
Sharks and Prohibited Species .............. 14
Unregulated Species ............................ 15
Recreational Traps ................................. 15
New Artificial Reefs ............................... 16
Fishing in the Bahamas .......................... 17
Recreational Gear .................................. 18
Spearing ................................................ 19
Angler Recognition Programs ............ 20-21
Marine Life Regulations ......................... 22
How to Recycle Your Fishing Line ........... 23
FWC Division of Law Enforcement .......... 23
Licenses and Permits ............................. 24
Contact us
Go to MyFWC.com for up-to-date information on recreational saltwater fishing
regulations, news and events as well as
resources, publications and videos.
Visit the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife
Research Institute online at
MyFWC.com/Research
For federal fishing regulations,
please contact:
ʄ Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council
888-833-1844
www.gulfcouncil.org
ʄ South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council
866-SAFMC-10
www.safmc.net
ʄ National Marine Fisheries Service
(NOAA Fisheries)
727-824-5301
www.nmfs.noaa.gov
For additional information
please contact:
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission
MyFWC.com
Division of Marine Fisheries Management
2590 Executive Center Circle East
Berkeley Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
850-487-0554
Wildlife alert
reward program
Report fish and wildlife law violations
by calling toll-free 1-888-404-FWCC
(3922); on cell phones, dial *FWC or
#FWC depending on service carrier; or
click MyFWC.com/Contact.
On the cover
Mike Tuck with a triple tail from
Yankeetown, FL.
Have a picture for the cover?
Please send your photographs to:
Saltwater@MyFWC.com.
Eszter Keresztes
When you buy your
license online, it’s fast,
convenient and saves
time and travel.
You can obtain a license 24 hours a day
at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and begin
fishing immediately!
Licenses are also available toll-free at
1-888-FISHFLORIDA (1-888-347-4356).
Processing fees apply to telephone and
Internet sales.
Buy your license online!
B B B B
42