FLORIDA SALTWATER RECREATIONAL 2021 REGULATIONS

Page 20-21

 Lionfish Challenge Results Page 4

 New Artificial Deployments Page 6

 Hooked a Bird? Don't Cut the Line! Page 8

Applies to Florida State Waters of the Gulf and Atlantic | Issued: January 2021

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feature! Please visit MyFWC.com/Fishing/Saltwater/Recreational for the most regulations Always be permitsready for to a renew day on with the water — setFWC’s your Auto-Renewlicenses and Get a GEICO quote for your boat and, in just 15 minutes, you’ll know how much you could be saving. If you like what you hear, you can buy your policy right on the spot. Then let us do the rest while you enjoy your free time with peace of mind.

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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. In the state of CA, program provided through Boat Association Insurance Services, license #0H87086. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2020 GEICO 20_206641 FISHING REGULATIONS Contact us Go to MyFWC.com for up-to-date infor- mation on recreational saltwater fishing regulations, news and events as well as resources, publications and videos. Visit the FWC’s and Wildlife Research Institute online at CONTENTS MyFWC.com/Research For federal fishing regulations, please contact: ■ Gulf of Mexico Management Council 888-833-1844 www.gulfcouncil.org ■ South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 866-SAFMC-10 www.safmc.net ■ National Marine Service (NOAA Fisheries) 727-824-5301 www.nmfs.noaa.gov For additional information please contact: Florida Fish and Wildlife Cliff and Garrett Crouch with a pair of tripletail. Conservation Commission MyFWC.com Division of Marine 1875 Orange Ave. East Tallahassee, Florida 32311 2021 FWC Commission State Reef Fish Survey...... 15 850-487-0554 Meeting Dates and Locations...... 2 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis- Florida Friendly Fishing Guide...... 16 sion does not allow discrimination on the basis of race, Commissioner’s Message ...... 3 color, sex, religion, national origin, age or disability. If Recreational Gear & Spearing...... 18-19 you believe you have been discriminated against in any Lionfish Challenge...... 4 program, activity or facility of this agency which receives Angler Recognition Programs...... 20-21 Federal financial assistance, you should contact/write to: ...... 6 Licenses and Permits...... 22 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Office of Human Resources, 620 South Meridian Street, Hooked a Bird? Don't Cut the Line!...... 8 FWC Offices...... 24 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600; Telephone 850-488-6411 Know Your Management Zones...... 8-9 or contact/write to: Civil Rights Accessibility Coordinator FWC Division of Law Enforcement...... 24 for Public Access, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Basic Regulations: and Sport Fish Restoration Program, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041; Telephone 703-358-2349 Reef Fish and Pelagics...... 10-11 or 703-358-2131. Coastal Species and Wildlife alert Unregulated Species...... 12 reward program Crustaceans and Mollusks...... 13 Report fish and wildlife law violations Sharks and Prohibited Species...... 13 by calling toll-free 1-888-404-FWCC (3922); on cell phones, dial *FWC or Marine Life Regulations...... 14 #FWC depending on service carrier; or click MyFWC.com/Contact. Fish Handling...... 15

On the cover Tug Ocean Wind, deployed 10 nm off- shore Pensacola on January 13, 2016 using FWC funds from saltwater fishing Buy your license online! license sales. Photo by Keith Mille 9/28/2017. When you buy your You can obtain a license 24 hours a day Have a picture for the cover? at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or through Please send your photographs to: license online, it’s fast, the Fish|Hunt Florida mobile app, and [email protected]. convenient and saves begin fishing immediately! time and travel. Licenses are also available toll-free at 1-888-FISHFLORIDA (1-888-347-4356). Processing fees apply to telephone and Internet sales. GENERAL INFORMATION

Introduction Thank you for contributing Through this federal “user-pay, public-benefit” This publication is provided as a guide to Flor- to conservation system of conservation, millions of dollars in ida fishing laws and regulations. The Florida Your purchases of fishing equipment, motor- funding each year go toward fisheries research, Administrative Code is the final authority on boat fuel and fishing licenses help improve habitat management, stock enhancement, arti- fishing laws. The Florida Fish and Wildlife fishing and boating opportunities in Florida ficial reefs, boating access improvements, Conservation Commission (FWC) strives to through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restora- angler outreach and aquatic education. To ensure information in this booklet is accurate, tion program (SFR). SFR is a successful cycle learn more about how everyone benefits from but assumes no liability for any errors that of federal funding that includes anglers, the enhanced fishing opportunities provided occur in this publication. Contact the FWC if fishing and boating industry, and conservation through the program, visit MyFWC.com/SFR. you have any questions on issues not covered agencies with the goal to restore and better in this booklet. A continuously updated elec- manage America’s recreational fisheries. Fund- 2021 Commission meeting tronic version of this publication is available ing is derived through an excise tax on fishing dates and locations at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on "Salt- gear and motorboat fuel, paid by anglers Subject to change due to availability of appro- water" and "Recreational Regulations." through fishing and boating manufacturers. priate facilities to hold the meeting.

About licenses and permits ■ February 25-26 The money collected from saltwater fishing ■ May 12-13 licenses and permits is used to improve and ■ August 4-5 restore fish habitat and for marine fisheries ■ October 6-7 research, law enforcement and public educa- ■ December 15-16 tion on marine resources. Recreational licenses and permits, including reprints, are available *Dates subject to change at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, Fish|Hunt Fl app, tax collectors’ offices, license agents, or by call- For more information about Commission ing toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356). meeting dates, times, locations and agendas, Handling fees apply to telephone and internet visit MyFWC.com and click on “About" and sales. See more information on page 22. "Commission Meetings” on the top of the page.

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2 COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE

Make the right kind of waves As the number of anglers continues to grow, it becomes more important than ever to be a marine resource steward as well as show others respect when on or near the water. By respecting the marine environment and the people in it, we can help ensure good fishing for generations to come and safe fishing experi- ences. After all, respect for nature and for other anglers is what fishing is all about. Some ways you can help be a marine resource steward and make the right kinds of waves include:

■ Be an ethical angler: Ethical means knowing when to keep and when to release your catch while always handling fish with care. This includes knowing and abiding by regulations and being able to identify the ■ Be courteous on shore: Don’t shoreline fish ■ Keep the noise down: Sound is amplified fish you target. in areas or during times of day when there over the water, which can disturb other ■ Be ready at the ramp: Prepare your boat are a lot of swimmers. Don’t crowd anglers boaters and those who live near the water. and equipment before launch. At a fuel dock, who are fishing from shore. ■ The sounds or wake Give anglers space: get fuel, pay and move out of the way. ■ Stash your trash: Recycle and from your boat can cause ■ Wear your life jacket: Set a good example dispose of trash in a proper receptacle ashore. an angler to lose their for others and stay safe. ■ Coming in for a landing: When anchoring catch or drive fish away. ■ Watch the wake: Stay at least 200 feet from up, watch how other boats tie off and do the shoreline and other boaters and follow no same. If you think you are too close to other Learn more at MyFWC. wake zones. Always yield to wade fishermen. boaters or anglers, you are probably too com/Marine by ■ Boat safely: Know who has the right of way close. Mind the current and be patient and clicking “On-the- and when. wait for others to move before docking. Water Etiquette.”

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Sept. 25 – Oct. 13 and allowed participants to earn one raffle entry for each fish submitted. FWC celebrates the Winners included: Carlos Orozco, Danny Ward and Annie Beattie, each who won a Dive Rite 2020 Lionfish Challenge Aircell XT steel backplate BCD. A special thanks to the 49 dive shops and businesses that served as checkpoints. Without The FWC is excited to announce that the Lionfish Connerth and Bedoya earned a woodburning checkpoint participation, the Challenge would Challenge removal incentive program continued lionfish trophy custom-made by Adam Mahr, a not have been possible. to grow in its fifth year. A total of 170 recreational Shearwater Perdix , and $300 for To learn more about the Challenge, including and commercial harvesters removed over 21,500 SCUBA refills. dates for next year’s event, and to see a full list of lionfish from Florida waters during the Challenge The 2020 Challenge also included a new incen- participants and prize winners, visit FWCReef that started on May 22 and ended on Nov. 1, 2020. tive this year with monthly Mini-Challenges. Rangers.com. For questions, e-mail Lionfish@ FWC has tracked the removal of over 780,000 During the Mini-Challenge #1, the first 25 par- MyFWC.com. lionfish from Florida waters since 2014. ticipants who qualified for the Lionfish Chal- The 2020 Lionfish Challenge recreational lenge were entered into a raffle drawing to take Lionfish Challenge - Lionfish King is David Connerth of Palm Beach home a YETI Panga Dry Backpack. The winners Recreational Category County. Connerth earned this designation after were Chris Campbell, Sarah Peirce and Michael # OF LIONFISH harvesting a total of 1,141 lionfish. On aver- Curry. Mini Challenge #2 awarded participants NAME age, Connerth conducts harvest trips twice a for harvesting large lionfish between July 3 – July CAUGHT 1st Place week and harvests around 25 lionfish per trip. 13. Participants with fish over 400 mm earned David Connerth 1,141 Connerth has always had a passion for biology a 10L customized Reef Rangers dry bag, and the Lionfish King and the marine environment. His motivation participant to harvest the largest lionfish earned 2nd Place Russell Peters 842 to participate in the Challenge comes from his a Shearwater Perdix dive computer. The win- 3rd Place Shane Rasch 619 drive to remove lionfish to protect the reefs ner of the Largest Lionfish Mini-Challenge was and allow more biodiversity and abundance of Josh Livingston who submitted a fish that was Lionfish Challenge - predatory . 408 mm (16.06 inches) long! Mini-Challenge #3 This year’s Commercial Champion is Isidoro awarded participants $500 in cash for submitting Commercial Category Bedoya of Duval County. Bedoya harvested a the most lionfish within their region between POUNDS OF total of 1,196.5 pounds of lionfish (poundage Aug. 21 – Sept. 1. The winners for the Most Lion- NAME LIONFISH equates to about 1,319 fish). Bedoya targets lion- fish Mini-Challenge were: Northeast Region: CAUGHT fish and other reef fish species commercially out Russell Peters – 705 lionfish; Southeast Region: 1st Place Commercial Isidoro Bedoya 1,196.5 lbs. of Jacksonville. He enjoys helping to protect the Shane Rasch – 241 lionfish; West Region: Jennifer Champion reefs and native species. Bedoya harvests 100 Ford-Cote – 105 lionfish; Northwest Region: Bob nd lbs. of lionfish on average per trip and conducts Gamble – 61 lionfish; and Commercial: Isidoro 2 Place Josh Livingston 943 lbs. about three trips per month. Bedoya – 174 lbs. Mini-Challenge #4 ran from 3rd Place Rachel Bowman 932.75 lbs.

LIONFISHKING COMMERCIAL CHAMPION

David Connerth Isidoro Bedoya

4 January 2021 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission THEPERFECTESCAPEINTHEHEARTOFOLDFLORIDAE S C A P E I N T H E H E A R T O F Book your dream getaway today at 352.498.3222 WWW.STHRCLUB.COM ARTIFICIAL REEF DEPLOYMENTS Artificial Reef Program Florida manages one of the most diverse, and most active artificial reef programs in the United States. As of October 2020, the FWC Artificial Reef Program has recorded 3,764 artificial reef deployment locations state-wide. So far in 2020, 174 new artificial reefs were constructed, and the locations from a subset of those new reefs are listed in this table. To download a complete list of Florida’s artificial reef locations in a variety of digital formats, view an interactive map, and learn more about Florida’s artificial reef program, please visit MyFWC.com/ArtificialReefs

Sample of the 174 Artificial Reefs Deployed During 2020 Deploy ID County Deploy Date Deployment Name Material Tons Relief (ft) Depth (ft) Lat (DM) Long (DM) BA0478 Bay 07/17/20 St. Joe Reef Concrete tetrahedrons 202 15 80 29° 55.090' -85° 39.120' BA0476 Bay 05/17/20 MB-255 Concrete tetrahedrons 80 15 64 29° 54.810' -85° 33.054' BE0069 Brevard 08/13/20 Anglers Reef Concrete culverts 357 15 82 28° 23.314' -80° 18.189' BO0122 Broward 04/29/20 John M. Baker Reef Concrete culverts 58 9 70 26° 09.496' -80° 04.732' ES0642 Escambia 06/20/20 Charles F. Gonzalez Concrete disks 24 4 11 30° 19.727' -87° 08.318' FR0065 Franklin 08/20/20 St. Teresa Patch Reef Concrete domes 20 5 38 29° 47.162' -84° 27.995' ME0098 Manatee 06/25/20 BOR5S-20-06 Limestone boulders 360 9 39 27° 24.414' -82° 47.829' ME0097 Manatee 06/29/20 Sean Gucken Reef Concrete culverts 175 8 33 27° 30.924' -82° 49.026' ME0096 Manatee 06/19/20 Jim's Gift Reef 120' Steel barge 250 7 33 27° 30.974' -82° 49.049' DA0243 Miami-Dade 02/19/20 FDOT- SW 1st Bridge Concrete pilings 736 8 27 25° 48.860' -80° 10.228' DA0242 Miami-Dade 02/28/20 Dinner Key Pier Concrete pilings 2,316 9 23 25° 48.806' -80° 10.251' OK0342 Okaloosa 09/10/20 S/V DYLAN 61 ft steel sailboat 26 12 119 30° 07.614' -86° 23.469' OK0337 Okaloosa 05/27/20 LA-1 Concrete tetrahedrons 38 15 150 30° 05.570' -86° 24.175' OK0331 Okaloosa 04/18/20 FH14-07B Concrete tetrahedrons 33 8 70 30° 21.172' -86° 36.872' PB0125 Palm Beach 09/03/20 Andrew Harris Limestone & concrete 265 11 41 26° 57.207' -80° 03.731' PB0116 Palm Beach 06/09/20 FWC West Palm Beach Limestone boulders 323 15 40 26° 45.319' -80° 01.581' PB0113 Palm Beach 07/15/20 Andrew Harris Reef Limestone boulders 700 20 60 26° 57.575' -80° 03.202' ST0204 Sarasota 07/13/20 Silvertooth 25 Concrete domes 6 3 30 27° 17.166' -82° 35.955' SL0078 St. Lucie 06/23/20 Curtist Bostick (CCA) Concrete culverts 150 10 100 27° 23.870' -80° 02.970' SL0076 St. Lucie 08/06/20 Paul Jacquin Reef (A) Concrete culverts 900 10 100 27° 23.922' -80° 02.979' TA0050 Taylor 07/31/20 DEP-8 Concrete cubes 10 3 50 29° 38.349' -83° 54.865' TA0043 Taylor 07/31/20 DEP-1 Concrete cubes 8 3 50 29° 38.423' -83° 54.189' VO0187 Volusia 09/16/20 Site 8 (NE-1 & 2) Concrete culverts 430 10 65 28° 55.513' -80° 42.342' VO0189 Volusia 10/12/20 Site 9 (NE-1 & 2) Concrete culverts 420 10 125 29° 21.497' -80° 21.473' WK0077 Wakulla 08/19/20 Glen Peel Memorial Concrete culverts 86 7 31 29° 50.421' -84° 09.476'

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7 MANAGEMENT ZONES

Red Drum Know Your Management Zones

Management For red drum, there are three management zones. The daily bag limit is one fish in the northwest and south zones Zones and two fish in the northeast zone. For most species, Florida's recreational bag limits apply to all state waters off Florida, which extend out to 3 nautical miles on the Atlantic and out to 9 nautical miles on the Gulf. The following maps provide information regarding two species that have specific management zones where bag limits or rules vary by region. For management zones for other species including gag, hogfish, snook, permit and weakfish, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on "Recreational Regulations," then "Fisheries Maps."

HOOKED A BIRD

Hooked a bird? Don’t Cut the Line!

Even if you take precautionary steps to avoid it, sometimes you might hook a bird by accident. That’s when it’s important to remember—don’t cut the line and let the bird fly away with it attached. This can lead to entanglement and death of birds (and an inconvenient loss of line). Instead, follow these simple steps to unhook the bird: Reel. Remove. Release.

1. Wear safety glasses and enlist a partner How else can you keep the seabirds away for help. from your fish and reduce entanglement? 2. Reel the bird in slowly and lift it from the 1. Don’t feed the birds, which teaches them to water using a hoop net. approach where they are more likely to inter- 3. Grasp the bird by the head just behind the fere with fishing. eyes and fold the wings against the body. For 2. Dispose of filleted bones where birds can’t pelicans, hold the beak, keeping the mouth get them — in a trash can with lid or at home. slightly open so it can breathe. Cover the 3. Cover bait buckets and take unused bait home. bird’s head with a cloth to keep it calm. 4. Dispose of fishing line in a monofilament 4. Remove the barb and hook from the bird recycling bin or cut into small pieces and using pliers or clippers. If the bird is entan- place in the trash. gled, remove all line. 5. Don’t leave your line unattended. 5. Release the bird (if healthy) by placing it on 6. Cast carefully to avoid being snared on trees, the ground near the water and allowing it bridge piles, power lines or obstacles. to take off. 7. Help others learn what to do when they acci- 6. If the bird has swallowed the hook or is dentally hook a bird. It’s pretty easy, once severely injured, contact a local seabird reha- you know how. bilitator. For help finding one, use the link to the locator app at MyFWC/Unhook.

8 January 2021 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Spotted Seatrout Seatrout Boundaries Management Zones Two new zones were created by splitting the Northwest spotted seatrout management zone into the: (See maps below.) Spotted seatrout has five management zones and the recreational bag limit is three fish in the western • Western Panhandle (Escambia County through the portions panhandle region, five fish in the big bend region, three of Gulf County west of longitude 85 degrees, 13.76 fish in the the south region, two fish in the central east minutes but NOT including Indian Pass/Indian Lagoon). region and five fish in the northeast region. • Big Bend (remaining portion of Gulf County plus Indian Lagoon, and Franklin County through Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County).

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STORE HOURS Mon-Tue: 8:00-5:00 Wed: 8:00-1:00 Thu-Sat: 8:00-5:00 Closed Sundays 9 Florida Recreational Issued: January 2021 New regulations are highlighted in red Saltwater Fishing Regulations (please visit: MyFWC.com/Fishing/Saltwater/Recreational Regulations apply to state waters of the Gulf and Atlantic for the most current regulations) All art: © Diane Rome Peebles, except snowy (Duane Raver) Reef Fish Snapper

General Snapper Regulations: • Snapper Aggregate Bag Limit – Within state waters ul of the Atlantic and Gulf, Snapper, Cubera  u l Snapper, Red  u l X Snapper, Vermilion X Snapper, Lane  u l all species of snapper are Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: included in a 10 fish per • Atlantic and Gulf - 12" (see below) • Atlantic - 20" • Atlantic - 12" • Atlantic and Gulf - 8" harvester per day aggregate • Gulf - 16" • Gulf - 10" bag limit in any combination Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: of snapper species, unless • Atlantic and Gulf - 10 per harvester Season: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Atlantic - 10 per harvester stated otherwise. under 30", included within snapper • Atlantic - Open year-round • Atlantic - 5 per harvester not included • Gulf - 100 pounds per harvester, not • Seasons – If no seasonal aggregate bag limit • Gulf - To be determined within snapper aggregate bag limit included within snapper aggregate • May additionally harvest up to 2 over • Gulf - 10 per harvester not included bag limit information is provided, the Daily Recreational Bag Limit: species is open year-round. 30" per harvester or vessel, whichever within snapper aggregate bag limit is less, and these 2 fish over 30" are • Atlantic and Gulf - 2 per harvester not included within snapper aggregate • Gulf - Zero daily bag and possession limit bag limit for captain and crew on for-hire vessels.

Other Snapper  u l Minimum Size Limits: • Dog and Mahogany: Atlantic and Gulf - 12” • No minimum size limit for other snappers Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Atlantic and Gulf - 10 per harvester Snapper, Gray Snapper, Snapper, (Mangrove)  u l Snapper, Mutton  u l X Schoolmaster  u l Yellowtail  u l X See page 18 for gear rules Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: pertaining to reef fish. • Atlantic and Gulf - 10" • Atlantic and Gulf - 18" • Atlantic and Gulf - 10" • Atlantic and Gulf - 12" Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Atlantic and Gulf - 5 per harvester • Atlantic and Gulf - 5 per harvester • Atlantic and Gulf - 10 per harvester • Atlantic and Gulf - 10 per harvester Grouper

Atlantic Grouper General Regulations: • Atlantic grouper regulations apply to all state waters of the Atlantic and all state waters Grouper, Warsaw off Monroe County (Gulf and Grouper, Black  u l X Grouper, Snowy  l Grouper, Red  u l X & Speckled Hind  l Atlantic sides). Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limit: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: • Atlantic Grouper/Tilefish • Atlantic - 24" • Atlantic and Gulf - None • Atlantic and Gulf - 20" • Atlantic and Gulf - None Aggregate Bag Limit - • Gulf - 24" includes all species of Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Season: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: grouper plus golden tilefish Season: • Atlantic - 1 per harvester • Atlantic - Closed Jan. 1–April 30 • Atlantic and Gulf - 1 per vessel per day and blueline tilefish in any • Atlantic - Closed Jan. 1–April 30 • Gulf - 4 per harvester • Gulf - Open year-round of each species combination of species. • Gulf - Open year-round Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Seasons – If no seasonal Daily Recreational Bag Limit: information is provided, the • Atlantic - 3 per harvester • Atlantic - 1 per harvester. Only 1 fish species is open year-round. • Gulf - 2 per harvester* can be gag or black • Gulf - 4 per harvester*

Gulf Grouper General Regulations:  l • Gulf grouper regulations apply Grouper, Yellowfin Other  u l  u l  u l to all state waters of the Gulf Grouper, Scamp Gag Grouper X & Yellowmouth Other Grouper includes: except off Monroe County Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: • Rock Hind, Red Hind, Coney, Graysby, (where Atlantic rules apply). • Atlantic - 20" • Atlantic - 24" • Atlantic and Gulf - 20" Misty, and Yellowedge • Gulf Grouper Aggregate • Gulf - 16" • Gulf - 24" Bag Limit – all species of Season: Season: grouper in the Gulf are Season: Season: • Atlantic - Closed Jan. 1–April 30 • Atlantic – Rock hind, Red hind, Coney, included in a 4 fish per har- • Atlantic - Closed Jan. 1–April 30 • Atlantic - Closed: Jan. 1–April 30 • Gulf - Open year-round Graysby: Closed Jan. 1-April 30 • Gulf - Open year-round • Gulf - State waters off Franklin, Wakulla, • Atlantic - All others open year-round vester per day aggregate Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Jefferson and Taylor counties: Open April 1 • Gulf - Open year-round bag limit in any combina- Daily Recreational Bag Limit: –June 30, & Sept 1–Dec. 31. • Atlantic - 3 per harvester tion of grouper species. • Atlantic - 3 per harvester Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Gulf - State waters off all other • Gulf - 4 per harvester • Seasons – If no seasonal • Gulf - 4 per harvester • Atlantic - 3 per harvester counties: Open June 1–Dec. 31 information is provided, the • Gulf - 4 per harvester species is open year-round. Daily Recreational Bag Limit: * Zero bag limit for captain and • Atlantic - 1 per harvester. Only 1 fish crew of for-hire vessels applies to can be gag or black gag, black, and red grouper only. • Gulf - 2 per harvester* All art: © Diane Rome Peebles, except blueline tilefish and golden tilefish (Duane Raver); lionfish (FWC) Reef Fish

Other Reef Fish (If no season information is provided, the species is open year-round)

Amberjack, Greater  l X Tilefish, Blueline  l Great Barracuda n Hogfish  l X Triggerfish (Gray)  l X Minimum Size Limits: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Regulations only apply in Collier, Monroe, Atlantic regulations apply to Monroe county Minimum Size Limits: • Atlantic - 28" fork length • Atlantic - 3 per harvester per day Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and • Atlantic – 12" fork length Minimum Size Limits: • Gulf - 34" fork length • Gulf - 100 lbs. or 2 per harvester, Martin counties. • Gulf - 15" fork length which ever is greater • Atlantic - 16" fork length Season: Minimum Size Limits: • Gulf - 14" fork length Season: • Atlantic - Open year-round Season: • Not less than 15" or more than 36" • Atlantic - Open year-round Season: • Gulf - Open May 1–May 31, Aug. • Atlantic - Open May 1–Aug. 31 • Gulf - Open March 1–May 31, Aug. 1– Daily Recreational Bag Limit: tlantic - Open May 1–Oct. 31 1–Oct. 31 • Gulf - Open year-round • A Dec. 31, see MyFWC.com for updates • 2 per person or 6 per vessel • Gulf - Open year round Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Remarks • May possess one over 36" per vessel. Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Atlantic and Gulf - 1 per harvester • Blueline tilefish included within Atlantic • Unregulated in all other areas. • Atlantic - 10 per harvester antic - 1 per harvester per day grouper aggregate bag limits. • Atl • Gulf - 1 per harvester • Gulf - 5 per harvester

Amberjack, Lesser & Red Porgy  u l Tilefish, Golden  l Banded Rudderfish  l X Black Sea Bass  u l Minimum Size Limits: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: • Atlantic - 14" • Atlantic - 1 per harvester • Atlantic and Gulf - Cannot be less than • Atlantic - 13" • Gulf - None • Gulf - 100 pounds or 2 per person, 14" or greater than 22" fork length • Gulf - 10" whichever is greater Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Atlantic - 3 per harvester Remarks • Atlantic and Gulf - 5 per person ag- • Atlantic - 7 per harvester • Gulf - 100 pounds • Golden tilefish included within Atlantic gregate of the two species • Gulf - 100 pounds per harvester Grouper aggregate bag limits

Pelagics

Billfish  H Blackfin Tuna  n Mackerel, King  Mackerel, Spanish  Swordfish H Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: • Sailfish 63"; • No minimum size limit • 24" fork length • 12" fork length • 47" lower jaw fork length with head at- • Blue Marlin 99"; tached or 25" cleithrum to keel length Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • White Marlin 66"; if head removed • Roundscale Spearfish 66" • 2 fish per person or 10 fish per vessel • Atlantic (excluding Monroe) - 2 per • 15 per harvester per day, whichever is greater. harvester Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Gulf (including Monroe) - 3 per • 1 per harvester per day, not to exceed a • 1 per harvester aggregate bag limit harvester maximum of 4 per recreational (not for- hire) vessel or 15 per for-hire vessel Remarks Remarks • Measured tip of lower jaw to fork. All • Bag limit reduced to 1 in some state Remarks landed fish must be reported to NOAA waters if federal waters are closed to • All landed fish must be reported to within 24 hours 800-894-5528 or recreational harvest. NOAA within 24 hours 800-894-5528. hmspermits.noaa.gov. HMS permit required in federal waters. • HMS permit required in federal waters. Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain and crew of for-hire vessels.

Wahoo  Cobia (Ling)  Tripletail  H u T n Dolphinfish  Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: • None • 33" fork length • 18" • Atlantic - 20" fork length • Gulf - None Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • 2 per harvester • Atlantic - 1 per harvester not to • 2 per harvester Daily Recreational Bag Limit: exceed 6 per vessel • 10 per harvester per day, not to Remarks • Gulf - 1 per harvester, not to exceed exceed 60 per vessel per day. Vessel • Hook and line only. No snatch hooks. 2 per vessel limit does not apply to for-hire vessels.

Scan this code with your Buy your license online at Report fish and wildlife mobile device to view the GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, or law violations toll free at: regulations online. toll free at: 1-888-347-4356 1-888-404-3922 11 or at Fish|Hunt FL app Coastal Species

Pompano, Bluefish  n Flounder  u T Bonefish H n African l H  T n Sheepshead l  u T n Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: • 12" fork length • 12" • 0 per harvester • 24" fork length • 12" Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Remarks Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Atlantic - 3 per harvester • 10 per harvester • only • 2 per harvester per day, not to exceed • 8 per harvester • Gulf - 10 per harvester (includes • Hook and line only 2 per vessel Remarks Remarks Monroe county) • May be harvested by spearing. • Snatching prohibited Snatching prohibited. • Vessel limit of 50 fish during March • Changes pending, see MyFWC.com and April

Snook Permit l  H T n Spotted Weakfish  H u (All species)  H u T n Tarpon l H T n Size Limits: Seatrout l H  u T n Minimum Size Limits: Size Limits: Recreational Bag Limit: • 22" fork Special Permit Zone (SPZ); Size Limits: • Weakfish Management Area (WMA) in • Not less than 28" or more than 32" • 1 per harvester per year. $50 harvest Not less than 11" or more than 22" • Not less than 15" or more than 19" Nassau County - 12" Atlantic excluding Monroe tag required. Vessel limit of one fish. fork length all other areas • May not possess more than 1 over 19" • All other areas - no minimum • Not less than 28" or more than 33" Harvest tag can only be used when fish Gulf and Monroe County is retained for potential IGFA record. Closed Season: per vessel Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • April 1–July 31 SPZ Only Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • WMA - 1 per harvester Closed Season: Remarks • All other areas - 100 pounds per • Atlantic (excluding Monroe) closed • Tarpon over 40 inches must remain in Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • 3 per harvester per day W.P. Zone harvester Dec. 15–Jan. 31 and June 1–Aug. 31. the water during release. Spearing and • 1 per harvester, not to exceed 2 per • 5 per harvester per day B.B. Zone • Gulf including Monroe County, Dec. 1– snatch hooking prohibited. Bottom vessel SPZ; • 3 per harvester per day S. Zone Remarks end of February, and May 1–Aug. 31. weighted jigs prohibited in Boca Grande • 2 per harvester all other state waters • 2 per harvester per day C.E. Zone • Regulations apply in parts of Nassau Pass. See: MyFWC.com/Fishing/ • 5 per harvester per day N.E Zone County only. Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Saltwater/Recreational/Tarpon for Remarks • See map at: MyFWC.com/Fishing/ Closed Season: • 1 per harvester additional information. • May possess 1 over 22" fork length Saltwater/Recreational/Weakfish outside the SPZ, not to exceed 2 over • Feb. W.P. Zone Remarks 22" fork per vessel per day. For map of • Nov. - Dec. C.E. Zone • Snook permit required for harvest SPZ, please see: MyFWC.com. Remarks when saltwater license required. See • Zero daily bag and possession limit for • See management zone map on pg. 9. MyFWC.com for snook permit details. captain and crew on for-hire vessels • Zero bag limit for captain and crew of Snatch hooks and spearing prohibited. for-hire vessels • Zero daily bag and possession limit for • For current regulations see MyFWC.com captain and crew on for-hire vessels • Remains Catch-and-release only in • Remains Catch-and-release only in Pasco-Gordon Pass/Collier counties. Pasco-Gordon Pass/Collier counties Red Drum (Redfish)  H u T Size Limits: • Not less than 18" or more than 27" Mullet, Striped Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • 2 per harvester per day in the NE zone, Black Drum  u T n Pompano, Florida  H T n (Black) & Silver Blue Runner n and 1 per harvester in the NW and S Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limits: zone. See map on p. 6 • Not less than 14" or more than 24" • 11" fork length • No minimum size • No minimum • Off the water possession limit of 6 fish Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Remarks • 5 per harvester • 6 per harvester • 50 aggregate per harvester; • 100 fish per harvester • , spearing, snatching prohibited. • Aggregate vessel limits Harvest in Federal waters prohibited. Remarks Remarks Feb. 1–Aug. 31: 100 per vessel; • Remains Catch-and-release only in • May possess one over 24". Snatching • Hook and line, and beach or Sept. 1–Jan. 31: 50 per vessel Pasco-Gordon Pass/Collier counties prohibited. haul seine ONLY.

Can't find your fish in the regulations? Florida’s coastal waters are home to thousands of marine species, and the majority of these species have no specific regulations with regard to bag limits, Gulf Kingfish Jack Crevalle Lionfish Hardhead Catfish size limits, gear restrictions or closed seasons. These species are often referred Examples of "unregulated species" include: to as “unregulated species,” although the name can be a bit misleading. State Ladyfish, bonito, menhaden, white grunt, southern stingray, gulf kingfish (whiting), law provides that for any marine species that does not have specific regulations, pinfish, Atlantic croaker, jack crevalle, cero mackerel, hardhead catfish, gafftopsail harvesting more than 100 pounds or two fish (whichever is the greater amount) catfish, lionfish. constitutes a commercial quantity and requires a commercial license. This means the recreational harvest limit for any unregulated species is 100 pounds or two * No license is required to harvest lionfish by dipnet, pole spear or Hawaiian sling and lionfish bag organisms if the combined of the two organisms exceeds 100 pounds. limit is unlimited for both Gulf and Atlantic state waters .

H Spearing Prohibited l Additional gear rules apply, please see: MyFWC.com  Must remain in whole condition (removal of gills and guts allowed). T Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook (any hook with two or u Measured as total length. Total length is the straight line distance from the most more points and a common shaft) in conjunction with live or dead natural bait. forward part of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with X State Reef Fish Angler designation required when fishing for select reef fish spe- the tail compressed or squeezed together while the fish is lying on its side. cies from a private vessel in the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean. n State regulations apply in federal waters. 12 January 2021 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Crustaceans and Mollusks

Bay Scallops l Spiny H  Crab, Stone H n Oysters Season: Minimum Size Limit: Minimum Size Limits: Minimum Size Limit: • Gulf County: Aug. 16–Sept. 24 • Carapace must be greater than 3" measured in • 2 7/8" claw • 3" • Franklin-NW Taylor County: July 1–Sept. 24 the water Closed Season: Closed Season: • Dixie and remaining Taylor County: June 15–Labor Day Seasons: • June, July, Aug. in Dixie, Wakulla, Levy counties. • Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties: July 1–Sept. 24 • May 2–Oct. 14 • Sport Season open July 28–29, 2021 • July, Aug., Sept. in all other areas except Apala- • Pasco County: 10 days starting on 3rd Friday in July Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Regular Season opens Aug. 6 through March 31 chicola Bay which has open areas year-round. Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • 1 gal. claws per harvester or 2 gal. per vessel, • Apalachicola Bay: Closed Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • 2 gallons whole or 1 pint meat per harvester; no whichever is less • Sport Season: 6 per harvester per day in Monroe Daily Recreational Bag Limit: more than 10 gallons whole, or ½ gallon meat per Remarks County and , 12 in all other • 2 bags per harvester or vessel except vessel anytime harvest areas. • 5 traps maximum. Visit MyFWC.com for statewide Apalachicola Bay • Dixie and remaining Taylor County: From June 15–30, • Regular Season: 6 per harvester in all areas trap construction requirements and specific require- one gallon whole/one cup meat per person or five gal- ments that apply in Miami-Dade, Monroe and Collier. Remarks lons whole/two pints meat per vessel, whichever is less Remarks Illegal to possess whole crab. Harvest of egg-bearing • Apalachicola Bay: special bag limits and other Remarks • Recreational trapping prohibited. Spiny lobster crabs prohibited. See how to properly de-claw on our harvest restrictions apply. See MyFWC.com for permit required when license required. Harvest of detailed information. • Harvest allowed only in state waters of the Gulf of website. New trap registration requirements, visit egg-bearing females prohibited. • Apalachicola Bay has summer & winter Mexico from the Pinellas - Pasco county line, to the GoOutdoorsFlorida.com to register. seasons/areas. west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County. • Harvest from approved shellfish areas during Direct transit through closed areas permitted. daylight hours only. Shrimp  Clams (Hard) l Crab, Blue H • Go to FloridaAquaculture.com to determine the Open or Closed status of shellfish harvesting areas. Closed Season: Minimum Size Limits: Closed Season: • May not harvest half hour after official sunset until • April & May closed in Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, • 1" thick across hinge • Regional trap closures apply. Visit MyFWC.com for half hour before official sunrise. Putnam, Flagler & Clay counties 2021 trap closure dates and locations. • 1 Bag = 60 lbs. or two 5 gal. buckets (whole in shell) Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Harvest prohibited in any harvest area that is in the Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • One 5 gal. bucket per harvester or 2 per vessel Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Closed status as determined by the Florida Depart- • 5 gallons heads on per harvester or vessel, (whole in shell) • 10 gallons whole per harvester ment of Agriculture and Consumer Services. whichever is less Remarks Remarks • Bay County: Harvest and possession prohibited in Remarks • Illegal to harvest from closed areas. • 5 traps maximum. Trap requirements apply. West Bay Estuarine Habitat Restoration Project Zone • Visit: MyFWC.com/Fishing and select "Saltwater", • Go to www.FloridaAquaculture.com for allowable Harvest of egg-bearing crabs prohibited. New trap "Regulations" and "Shrimp" for additional regula- harvesting areas. registration requirements, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida. tions specific to Dade, Nassau and Duval • May not harvest half hour after official sunset until com to register. • See 68B-31 F.A.C for more information on areas half hour before official sunrise. closed to shrimping

Sharks

Retainable Sharks with a 54" fork length minimum  H T Retainable Sharks with a 83" Blue, oceanic whitetip, porbeagle (not illustrated). fork length minimum  H T

Bull Common Thresher Shortfin Mako Nurse Spinner

Retainable Sharks with no minimum size limit  H T Daily Recreational Bag Limit: Finetooth, Smooth Dogfish, Florida Smoothhounds (not illustrated). • 1 per harvester or 2 per vessel per day, whichever is less. Remarks • The retainable sharks are managed as a group for bag limit pur- poses. In other words, you can only harvest one shark per day and the shark that you harvest must be one of the retainable species. Atlantic Sharpnose Blacknose • Hook-and-line gear only. • Shore-based Shark Fishing educational course and permit required. • See list of prohibited species below. Bonnethead Blacktip

Prohibited Species

It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell or exchange the following species: Goliath Grouper (Jewfish), Nassau Grouper, Sawfish, Atlantic Angel Shark, Basking Shark, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark, Bigeye Sixgill Shark, Bigeye Thresher Shark, Bignose Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Caribbean Sharpnose Shark, Dusky Shark, Galapagos Shark, Lemon Shark, Longfin Mako Shark, Narrowtooth Shark, Night Shark, Silky Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Sandbar Shark, Sevengill Shark, Sixgill Shark, Smalltail Shark, Spiny Dogfish, Whale Shark, White Shark, Tiger Shark, Greater, Scalloped and Smooth , Manta Ray, Devil Ray, Spotted Eagle Ray, Longbill Spearfish, Mediterranean Spearfish, Sturgeon, Queen Conch, Calico Scallop, Stony, Hard, Black and Fire Corals, Sea Fans, Bahama Starfish, and Longspine Urchin. Harvest of live rock in state waters is prohibited. Puffer fish harvest is prohibited in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties.

FWC – Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 1875 Orange Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32311 Phone: 850-487-0554 This publication is provided as a guide to Florida fishing laws and regulations. The Florida Administrative Code is the final authority on fishing laws. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) strives to ensure information in this booklet is accurate, but assumes no liability for any errors that occur in this publication. MARINE LIFE

Marine life regulations Marine Life — Fish SIZE LIMITS SPECIES REMARKS1 Requirements for marine life (total length unless otherwise noted) Gray, French Angelfish: 1½–8" slot limit (aquarium species) harvest: No more than 5 per person per day in Angelfish Blue, Queen Angelfish: 1¾–8" slot limit ■ any combination Recreational saltwater fishing license Rock Beauty: 2–5" slot limit ■ Organisms must be landed and kept alive ■ Butterflyfish 1–4" slot limit A continuously circulating live well, aeration Except Unicorn Filefish, Filefish/Triggerfish or oxygenation system of adequate size to Gray Triggerfish and Ocean Triggerfish maintain these organisms in a healthy Gobies Maximum size limit: 2" condition Hamlets/Seabasses Except reef fish2 and Longtail Bass ■ Allowable Gear: hand-held net, drop net, Jawfish Maximum size limit: 4" rod, barrier net, slurp gun (use of quinaldine Parrotfish Maximum size limit: 12" is prohibited)* Porkfish Minimum size limit: 1½" ■ Bag Limit: 20 organisms per person per day; Pufferfish, Includes Sharpnose Pufferfish, Striped only 5 of any one species allowed within the Burrfish, Burrfish, Spotted Burrfish, Balloonfish, 20-organism bag limit Balloonfish, Porcupinefish ■ Possession Limit: 2-day possession limit, Porcupinefish 40 total organisms, no more than 10 of any Tangs and Surgeonfish Maximum size limit (fork length): 9" Spanish Hogfish: 2–8" slot limit one species allowed Wrasse/Hogfish/Razorfish Except Hogfish Snapper ■ Allowable substrate: see species specifica- Cuban Hogfish: 3–8" slot limit tions in table Other Marine Life fish include1: Basslets, Batfish, Blackbar Soldierfish, Blennies, Brotulas (Black and Key), ■ Closed areas: Some closed areas exist** Cardinalfish, Clingfish, Cornetfish, Damselfish, Eels (Moray and Snake), Frogfish, Hawkfish, High-hat/Jackknife- ■ Sale of recreationally caught marine life fish/Spotted Drum/Cubbyu, Pipefish, Reef Croakers, Seahorses, Sleepers, Yellow Stingray, Sweepers, Toadfish, Trumpetfish and Trunkfish/Cowfish. organisms is prohibited ■ Regulations also apply in federal waters

* Some organisms have additional gear limita- Marine Life — Invertebrates 1 tions, see chart. SPECIES REMARKS Corallimorphs and Zoanthids: No more than 5 polyps of each may be landed per person per day, must be harvested with a flexible blade no wider than 2". Coral- Anemones ** Various closed areas exist. See regulations limorphs must be harvested as single polyps only. Zero bag limit on Giant Anemone for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctu- (Condylactis gigantea). ary, Everglades National Park, Biscayne Conch, Queen Harvest prohibited National Park and Florida’s State Parks Corals: Hard ,stony, fire Harvest prohibited before collecting in these areas. & black No more than 6 octocoral colonies per person per day in any combination; harvest Octocorals Additional rules apply to the collection of of attached substrate within 1" of base is permitted; harvest closes when quota met. shells containing live organisms in Lee or Crab, Hermit Except Land Hermit Crabs Manatee counties. Crab, Horseshoe Harvest prohibited Live Rock Harvest prohibited Octopods3 Except Common Octopus Sea Fans Harvest of Venus Sea Fan and Common (Purple) Sea Fan prohibited Siphonophores/Hydroids Harvest of Fire Coral prohibited Except Sheepswool, Yellow, Grass, Glove, Finger, Wire, Reef and Velvet Sponges; no more than 5 sponges per harvester per day in any combination; harvest of substrate Sponges On the Little Manatee River within 1" of base permitted north and west of the southernmost point of Egmont Key, no substrate allowed south of Egmont Key tampasouthrvresort.com Starfish3 Harvest of Bahama Starfish (Cushion Sea Star) prohibited 2900 S US Hwy 41 Urchins3 Except Sand Dollars & Sea Biscuits; harvest of Longspine Urchin prohibited Ruskin, FL 33570 Other Marine Life invertebrates include1: Brittlestars3, Decorator (Furcate Spider) Crab, False Arrow Crab, Green Clinging (Emerald) Crab, Nimble Spray (Urchin) Crab, Red Mithrax Crab, Red-Ridged Clinging Crab, Spotted Por- 813-645-1202 celain Crab, Yellowline Arrow Crab, Fileclams3, Upside-down Jellyfish, Nudibranchs/Sea Slugs3, Sea Cucumbers3, Sea Lilies, Cleaner/Peppermint Shrimp, Coral Shrimp, Snapping Shrimp, Nassarius Snails3, Starsnails3, Feather- duster Worms and Calcareous Tube Worms.

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1–Unless otherwise noted, combined bag limit of 20 marine life fish and invertebrates per person per day, only 5 of any one species allowed. A 2-day possession limit also applies (40 total organisms, only 10 of any one species). Call Us Now for 2–Such as groupers, snappers, seabass and amberjacks. Must abide by regulations for these species on Pricing & Information! pages 10. 1.866.411.SHED 3–Bag limit of 2 live shell fish of any single species per harvester per day in Manatee County. Harvest prohib- ited in Lee County.

14 January 2021 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FISH HANDLING

Catching up with the latest ■ Knotless, rubber-coated net — These support the weight of the fish release recommendations while removing a minimal amount of slime and scales, reducing the risk of infection. Whether you’re fishing for harvest, or just for sport, chances are you’re ■ Lip gripping devices — Can be effective for controlling and handling going to need to release a fish. Properly releasing any fish that you do fish, especially ones with sharp teeth. Grip behind the lower lip and not intend to keep increases its chance of survival to help maintain support the weight of the fish in a horizontal position. and improve your Florida fish populations. Check out these tips to give your fish a fighting chance upon release. Taking Action: ■ Make sure to reel the fish in as quickly as possible. Playing the fish Things to Know: too much can result in an exhausted fish that cannot avoid predators ■ Be aware of the area you will be fishing and local fish you might catch. once released. ■ Know the regulations for your target species and make sure that you ■ If the fish has swallowed the hook,cut the line as close to the hook have all the proper gear. as possible. Studies have shown that a key factor in the survival of ■ Determine ahead of time which fish you want to keep. This will help gut hooked fish was leaving the hook in place. Fish are often able to get released fish back in the water quickly. shed the hook on their own and you can do more damage by attempt- ing to remove the hook. Gear to Grab: ■ If possible, keep the fish in the water while removing the hook and ■ Barbless circle hooks — Studies have shown that the hook you use taking photos. is one of the most important factors in release survival. Circle hooks ■ Never hold a fish by the gills or eyes. are significantly more likely to hook a fish in the mouth, reducing risk ■ Do not remove large fish like tarpon and sharks from water. of serious injury and allowing anglers to get the fish back in the water ■ Return the fish to the water as quickly as possible. One of the major faster. Use barbless non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks for an factors in the survival of a released fish is how much time it spends even better release since they are easier and faster to remove than out of the water. The more fish that survive upon release today. The barbed hooks. Use a pair of pliers more fish that will be available to catch tomorrow. or small hand crimper to flatten ■ Revive fish that do not swim away immediately or appear lethargic: a ’s barb; for larger » Place fish in the water head first — it is easiest to hold one hand hooks, a bench crimper can be on the bottom lip or tail and one hand under the belly of the fish. used. If a hook is left in a fish, » Move the fish forward in the water — this allows the water to flow non-stainless-steel hooks should through the mouth and over the gills. The fish must face the degrade faster than stainless- direction of water flow. steel hooks. ■ For fish caught in deep water with signs of ,use a ■ Dehooking tool — Allows for a quick release while minimizing descending device to return fish to depth or vent the fish by injuries and handling time. inserting a sharpened, hollow tube at a 45-degree angle, one inch ■ Correct-weight tackle — Using appropriately sized lures, hooks, line behind the base of the pectoral fin. and tackle is important to hooking fish properly and reeling them in quickly. Tackle that is too small can be swallowed more easily and is Ensure Fish Survive to Help Populations Thrive! more likely to gut hook. It can also take longer to reel fish in, leaving The steps you take on the water today can help positively impact the them exhausted and less able to avoid predators upon release. future of your Florida fish populations! To learn more about proper catch-and-release techniques, visit MyFWC.com/FishHandling.

STATE REEF FISH SURVEY Are You a State Reef Fish Angler?

Recreational anglers who fish for or harvest certain reef fish from a How do I sign up? private vessel must obtain the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Sign up for the State Reef Fish Angler designation anywhere saltwater This designation allows for FWC to collect information about rec- fishing licenses are sold (GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, Fish|Hunt FL mobile reational reef fish directly from the people that fish for these species app, 1-888-FISHFLORIDA (347-4356), or at tackle shops, sporting as part of the State Reef Fish Survey (SRFS). goods stores, and tax collectors' offices). If you are a Gulf Reef Fish Angler, you do not need a State Reef Fish Who needs to obtain the Angler designation until your current Gulf designation expires. State Reef Fish Angler designation? Anyone 16 and older (including those over 65) on a private boat who intends What happens once I have the State to recreationally fish for or harvest any of the following reef fish species: Reef Fish Angler designation? Each month, a group of State Reef Fish Anglers will be mailed a short ■ mutton snapper ■ black grouper survey about their fishing trips. If you receive a survey, please respond ■ yellowtail snapper ■ greater amberjack and return it ASAP, even if you did not fish that month. ■ hogfish ■ lesser amberjack In addition, if you are asked by an FWC biologist at the dock or ramp ■ red snapper ■ banded rudderfish to give an interview, please take a few minutes to answer questions ■ vermilion snapper ■ almaco jack about your fishing trip and catch. ■ gag grouper ■ gray triggerfish Better, more precise data provides a clearer picture of the health of ■ red grouper reef throughout the state and helps ensure the long-term sustainability of in Florida. Your participation is Learn more at MyFWC.com/SRFS. crucial to the success of these efforts! 15 e id Gu ing Flor Fish ida Friendly Learn more about this program and how to find a Florida Friendly Fishing Guide near you at: Looking for an eco-minded fishing guide? bit.ly/fl-friendly-guides When scheduling your next fishing trip, visit the Florida For questions, please Friendly Fishing Guide certification program page to find email Savanna Barry at guides who are committed to preserving the future of [email protected] Florida’s fisheries by using sustainable boating and fishing practices.

Established by UF/IFAS, Florida Sea Grant, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the online certification course covers fisheries management, best practices for catch and release fishing, sustainable waste management and fueling, and other topics. Salt and freshwater fishing guides that have completed the voluntary course show that they adhere to the highest environmental standards. Photo by Jadiel Alfonso HEALTHY WATERS MEANS HEALTHY FISHERIES. Let’s keep Florida a natural wonder!

Please join today at floridawildlifefederation.org or call 850-656-7113

FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION supports clean , sea grass protection and recreational fishing and was at the forefront of banning oil drilling near our beaches. We strive to keep our home state sustainable for ourselves and our children.

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Recreational gear be tended at all times while deployed. Species Explosives, etc. Additional regional gear restrictions may apply identified with "T" on pages 10 through 13 The use of powerheads, explosives, chemicals in your county. For further clarification, con- cannot be harvested with multi-hooks (single or the discharge of firearms to kill or harvest tact the local regional offices listed on page 24. hook with two or more points) in conjunction marine life is prohibited in state waters. with natural baits. Reef fish gear rules (applies to species marked with ● on pages Nets Spearing 10-11) The following types of nets may be used for Spearing is a general term that includes bow ■ Gulf of Mexico: These regulations require recreational purposes in Florida waters: fishing, gigging, (underwater), or the use of a dehooking device when recre- ■ Bully nets (for lobster only) no greater than the use of any other device to capture a fish by ationally fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of 3 feet in diameter and not made of piercing its body. Spearing does not include Mexico. All persons aboard a vessel harvest- monofilament. or snatch hooking by hook and line. ing reef fish must possess and use non- ■ Frame nets and push nets (for shrimp only) Marine species harvested by spearing are sub- stainless steel non-offset circle hooks when no greater than 16 feet in perimeter and not ject to the same recreational regulations (e.g., using natural baits. made of monofilament. Frame nets cannot bag limits, size limits, and closed seasons) as ■ Atlantic Ocean: Recreational and commer- be used in state waters off Dade County. those marine species that are harvested by any cial fishers are required to use dehooking ■ Hand-held landing or dip nets no greater other type of recreationally-allowed gear. The devices as needed while fishing for reef fish. than 96 inches in perimeter. following is a list of species or groups of species (New) When fishing for reef fish using hook- ■ Cast nets measuring 14 feet or less stretched that are prohibited from harvest by all forms and-line with natural baits from a vessel, length (stretched length is defined as the of spearing in state waters: non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks distance from the horn at the center of the ■ All prohibited species (listed on p. 10-13) are required N. of 28 degrees N. latitude and net with the net gathered and pulled taut, ■ Billfish (all species) non-stainless steel hooks are required S. of to the lead line). ■ Bonefish 28 degrees N. latitude ■ Beach or haul seines measuring no larger ■ Crab (blue, stone) than 500 square feet of mesh area, no larger ■ Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) These rules apply to all members of the reef than 2 inches stretched mesh size, not con- ■ Goliath grouper fish complex including groupers, snappers, structed of monofilament, and legibly marked ■ Manta ray amberjacks, red porgy, gray triggerfish, black at both ends with the harvester’s name and ■ Nassau grouper sea bass, golden tilefish, banded rudderfish, address if a Florida resident. Non-residents ■ Permit speckled hind and others. For a complete spe- using beach or haul seines for recreational ■ Pompano (Florida and African) cies list, please visit MyFWC.com. purposes are required to have a commercial ■ Red drum saltwater products license and legibly mark ■ Sharks (all species including dogfish) Hook-and-line gear the seine at both ends with the harvester’s ■ Snook Hook-and-line anglers must tend their gear saltwater products license number. ■ Spotted eagle ray at all times to prevent people, marine life and ■ Cast nets and seines may be used as harvest- ■ Spotted seatrout shore life from becoming entangled in the line ing gear for the following species only: black ■ Sturgeon or injured by the hook. Also, it is against the drum, bluefish, cobia, flounder, mullet, Flor- ■ Tarpon law to intentionally discard any monofilament ida pompano, red drum, sheepshead, shrimp, ■ Tripletail netting or line into or onto state waters. Mono- Spanish mackerel, weakfish and unregulated ■ Weakfish filament line can entangle birds, marine mam- species (see p. 12). ■ Marine life species (listed on p. 14) mals, marine turtles and fish, often injuring or ■ No more than two nets can be fished from killing them. Trot lines with 10 or fewer hooks any vessel and no more than one net can be * Volusia County — You may not harvest by are considered hook-and-line gear and must fished by any person not on a vessel. spearing in Volusia County inland waters with

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the exception of flounder and sheepshead, and ■ Within 100 feet of the unsubmerged portion only by the use of a barbed spear with three of any jetty, except that spearing is allowed or fewer prongs. along the last 500 yards of any jetty that extends * Special Local Laws also prohibit harvest by more than 1,500 yards from the shoreline. spearing in specific areas (Visit MyFWC.com/ ■ In or on any body of water under the jurisdic- Fishing and select "Saltwater," "Recreational tion of the Division of Recreation and Parks Regulations," "Full Text Rule by Species" and of the Department of Environmental Protec- "Local Laws.") tion. Within these areas, the possession of spearfishing equipment is also prohibited Spearfishing except when such equipment is un-loaded Spearfishing is a specific form of “spearing” and is properly stored upon watercraft pass- defined as “the catching or taking of a fish ing nonstop through the area. through the instrumentality of a hand or ■ Within the no-take areas of the Florida mechanically propelled, single or multi-pronged Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Visit: spear or lance, barbed or barbless, operated by www.floridakeys.noaa.gov.) a person swimming at or below the surface ■ Within any area where spearfishing is pro- of the water.” In addition to the harvest species hibited by a Special Local Law (Visit MyFWC. limitations above, you may not spearfish: com/Fishing and select "Saltwater," "Recre- ■ For any species that cannot be harvested by ational Regulations," "Full Text Rule by Spe- spearing (see Spearing on pg. 18). cies" and "Local Laws.") ■ For any species (freshwater or marine) in freshwater. Possession of spearfishing equip- Powerheads, Bangsticks, ment in or on freshwater is also prohibited. Harvest with the use of powerheads, bang- ■ Within the upper Keys no-spearfishing sticks or rebreathers is prohibited in state zone, which includes all state waters from waters, except that rebreathers are allowed the Miami-Dade County line down to and for the harvest of lionfish. Within state waters, including Long Key. powerheads and bangsticks can be used for ■ Within 100 yards of any designated public personal protection only, and cannot be used bathing beaches, commercial or public fish- to harvest any species. ing piers, or portions of bridges where fish- ing is allowed.

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Florida Saltwater Fishing Records State all-tackle records for the heaviest fishes Catch a caught in Florida waters are maintained for 81 marine species in conventional tackle and fly Florida Memory fishing categories. Successful anglers receive a certificate and custom ink fish print courtesy Submit catches and earn rewards, all while supporting marine of Fish Print Shop. fisheries conservation! Catch a Florida Memory encourages anglers to target a diverse array of saltwater fish, thus helping Partnerships to reduce on the most commonly sought-after catches. Discover Martin County, the Sailfish Capital Photos of anglers properly handling their catches are required. of the World, partners with Catch a Florida Visit CatchaFloridaMemory.com and submit your saltwater fish Memory to provide custom tumblers for our photos to reach achievements, earn prizes and gain recognition! angler prize packs as well as helping to get anglers out on the water to catch some of Flor- ida’s most exciting saltwater species. Learn more about them at DiscoverMartin.com/ Fish-Like-a-Local, and don’t forget to check out Saltwater Grand Slams Earn Great Prizes! our other generous partners who help provide Catch three specified fish species in 24 hours ■ Life List 10-Fish Club; each Grand Slam rewards and recognition: American Integrity from nine categories. and Reel Big Fish: Prize pack including Insurance Company, CCA Florida, Mount This certificate, t-shirt and tumbler. Fish Company!, Engel Coolers, SeaDek Marine Saltwater Fish Life List ■ Monthly raffles: One automatic entry for Products, Smith Optics, McLean Angling, Track your progress at catching 70 species of each approved submission made in the last Smith’s Consumer Products, Tony Ivory Art saltwater fish. 18 months for a chance to win a fish mount and Apparel, Ocean Waves Sunglasses, Fish from Mount This! Fish Company, fillet knife Print Shop, EGO Fishing, Carlos Cardenas Saltwater Reel Big Fish from Smith’s Consumer Products, Dek Decals — Marine Artist, Reel Local, and the Fish & Catch memorable-sized saltwater fish in 30 from SeaDek Marine Products and more! Wildlife Foundation of Florida. To become a species categories. Anglers must submit a ■ Recognition tier prizes: Qualify for mul- partner, contact us at AnglerRecognition@ photo of the entire fish on a length measur- tiple Life List Clubs, Grand Slams and Reel MyFWC.com or 850-487-0554. ing device showing that the qualifying length Big Fish to earn dri-fit shirts, hats and fish- was reached. ing gear. Connect with Us ■ Triple Threat Club: Prize pack including ■ Website: CatchaFloridaMemory.com certificate, performance dri-fit shirt and ■ Facebook: Facebook.com/CatchaFLMemory exclusive Triple Threat raffles. ■ YouTube: MyFWC.com/SaltwaterFishing ■ Grand prizes: Catch all eligible Grand ■ Email: [email protected] Slams, all Reel Big Fish or all Life List species to earn a rod and reel, Engel cooler and fish- „ Anglers who have qualified for an achieve- ing kayak! ment for the first time are listed in the Club Members boxes.

Submit catches and earn rewards! Desmond Carter with a reel big tripletail.

20 January 2021 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission New Saltwater Grand Slam Club Members

Tier 1 – 3 Different Family – Grady Kerr Inshore: Chad French Landon Smith Grand Slams: Jack/Pompano: John W. Kerr III F. Ali Clifton Gagliano Patrick J. Smith Richard A. Brundage William Sperry James Y. Littlejohn Eric T. Anderson David Galasso Philip E. Smith JD Malone Robert Courtney G. Travis Haynes Stephen Stubbs Bay and Estuary: Family – Snapper: Laura J. Nathan-Kadish Ashburn Bob A. Hoelzle Timothy Thurman Charles T. Douglas Curtis Alexander Marlin Salts Steve D. Bond Jr. Riley K. Hyde Dennis B. Vann Ryan Kiernan Ethan J. Ball Philip E. Smith Henry Lee Bowman III Travis Jacobs Nicholas Vugman Greg John Knothe Troy Bass William Sperry Richard A. Brundage Dean Krueger Fred Williamson III Maxwell Miller Trevor A. Beaman Ben Swaringen Stanley Bryant Jr. Jeff Krueger Steve Brashier Presley Verm Joey Landreneau Small Fry: Family – Drum: Matthew B. Bushor James M. Brumley Amelia Vernon Corey Cobb Judd Lee Jr. Gabriel Kamal Bahra Richard A. Brundage James N. Corvin Heather Weaver Mike Cockman Michael N. McClain Sr. Wyatt Cress James N. Corvin Wayne H. Crotty Andrew P. Welch Robert W. Crane Dale C. Melms Rylan J. Larkin John H. Dobbins Marc Dahl Sean T. Wilms Lathaniel Lee Crews David E. Moore Steve Limer John A. D'esposito Sean C. Wray Joshua E. Damon John R. Morin Robert D. Manning Alex Gaus Joseph C. Denly David Naumann Cooper Lane Goldring Florida: Ed C. Ellett Katlyn M. Paul Family – Grouper: Nicholas W. East IV Alex Fogg Spencer Drake Goldring Marcia E. Ellett Gwen Pelchat Lewis Raymond Lowry IV Coral Huyett Jeffrey L. Floyd Robert M. Rohe

New Saltwater Fish Life List Club Members

10-Fish Club: John A. D'esposito Cayden Karppe Maxwell Miller Alexandria J. Salts Spencer Drake Goldring Andrew Ancelin John R. Eaton Ryder Karppe Brayden Mize Jordan D. Sanford Emily R. Hanzlik Richard Austin Jeffrey Eiber Elizabeth C. Klontz Pamela G. Moore William Sperry Steve Limer Ethan J. Ball Ed C. Ellett Dean Krueger Paige N. Murray John M. Suleski Mike J. Nolan Chris Calhoon Ben Friedman Judd Lee Jr. Jennifer Nail Dylan R. Sullivan Jason A. Pollard Rob Clendenin Monty A. Gomez Steve Limer Laura J. Nathan-Kadish Ben Swaringen Philip E. Smith James N. Corvin Susan K. Gros Pam J. Ludlow Christopher A. Oakley Chad M. Wammock Ben Swaringen Matt Corvin Brandon Guynn John C. Marks Giuseppe Paolucci Sarah Emily Williams Brooke West Robert L. Coville Jr. Michael D. Hughes Sivan N. Marks Gage T. Pollard Lee E. Willis Sr. Sean C. Wray Chris R. Craft II Steven A. Johnson Matthew D. Marraffino Jason A. Pollard Shane Cress Callie Jones Clay D. Marrs Kylie Pollard 30-Fish Club: 50-Fish Club: Wyatt Cress Richard M. Karcher Mary S. Martin Christina Rodriguez Brandon Crotty Adam J. Ball Marc Dahl Logan Karowski Xavier Martinez Brandon Rose Bryce P. Duffy Brooke Davis Richard Karowski Angel L. Melendez Rivera Tim Ruble Cooper Lane Goldring

New Saltwater Reel Big Fish Club Members

Black Drum: Spencer Drake Steve D. Bond Jr. Jim Thirkill Southern Flounder: John Mccarthy Sarah C. Austin Goldring Elijah Booten Timmy R. Turner Jeff P. Altman Anthony J. McCue Parker Fish Sean T. Wilms Mike Cockman Craig D. Van Brocklin Jordan Araiza Kelly L. Melms Matt Corvin Larry Weedman Brian S. McKee Adalynn Miller Crevalle Jack: Ladyfish: Jordan Coston Avera G. Williams Dalton Scott McKee Tim Stouder Michael J. Bennett Jr. Garrison H. Fairhurst Ryland Coston James Taylor Ben Fairbairn Cayden Karppe Clifton Gagliano Scamp: Spanish Mackerel: Craig D. Van Brocklin David Galasso Weston J. Labelle David Galasso Jeremy M. Summers Wyatt Cress Camden Williams Emily R. Hanzlik Rylan J. Larkin Mason Zimmer Pailynn Glass Snook: Dexter Williams Brayden Mize Cooper Lane Goldring Gray (Mangrove) Michael Paul Boggs Sean C. Wray Sean C. Wray Spencer Drake Goldring Spotted Seatrout: Socrates Conomos Snapper Mason Zimmer Susan K. Gros Robert Courtney G. Tripletail: Kathryn E. Cooke Cooper Lane Goldring Steven J. Hancock Ashburn Adam J. Ball Mutton Snapper: David C. Deliere Robert Grundwald Emily R. Hanzlik Adam E. Bailey Michael J. Bennett Craig N. Ambroson James Dunham Katlyn M. Paul Cayden Karppe Koby Booten Desmond Carter Brandon Crotty Johnathan N. George Saridakis Eszter Keresztes Joseph Chen Clark L. Krazit Ryan M. Milder Estrada-diaz Viviana B. Schuyler Judd Lee Jr. James N. Corvin Christopher K. Perry Laura J. Nathan-Kadish Ryder Karppe Sean T. Wilms Nathaniel Alan Legler Chad R. Craft Ryan Kiernan Yellowtail Snapper: Maia Lowell John H. Dobbins Gray Triggerfish: Permit: Amy Lockhart Christopher D. Perry Dalton Scott Mckee Valeria Gomez Alex Fogg Emily R. Hanzlik Maia Lowell Christopher K. Perry Angel L. Melendez Rivera Susan K. Gros Robert Grundwald Anthony J. Mccue Red Drum: Dale C. Melms Marvin B. Hatcher Alexis Rose Paul Tiffany E. Richardson Cayden Karppe Tier 1 – 5 Different Jeff P. Altman Miguel Navarro Species: King Mackerel: Eric T. Anderson Philip W. Pennypacker Sean T. Wilms Ryder Karppe Maia Lowell Robert Grundwald Travis Reed Anderson Michael J. Bennett Buddy Romero

New Triple Threat Club Members

Have attained a Grand Slam, Reel Big Fish AND Life List Club Gabriel Kamal Bahra James N. Corvin Bryce P. Duffy Spencer Drake Goldring JD Malone Laura J. Nathan-Kadish Adam J. Ball Wyatt Cress Ed C. Ellett Brandon Guynn Maxwell Miller Jim Thirkill Trevor A. Beaman Brandon Crotty Alex Fogg Judd Lee Jr. John R. Morin Mason Zimmer

Background graphics courtesy of Ivory Tony 21 LICENSES AND PERMITS

Florida resident saltwater licenses Florida resident combination licenses Saltwater licenses cover both watercraft and shoreline fishing. Annual Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing $32.50 Annual Saltwater License $17.00 Annual Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing and Hunting $48.00 Youth Saltwater Fishing License — valid until 17th birthday $17.00 Gold Sportsman’s Licenses Five-Year Saltwater License $79.00 Includes Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses and Snook, Spiny Annual Saltwater Shoreline License $0.00 Lobster, Management Area, Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloading, Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl permits. Covers saltwater fishing only from shorelines and attached structures accessible by foot. Does not cover fishing from a watercraft, fishing from a shoreline reached by Annual Gold Sportsman’s License $100.00 watercraft, or fishing while swimming or diving. Five-Year Gold Sportsman’s License $494.00 Non-resident saltwater licenses Youth Gold Sportsman’s License — valid until 17th birthday $100.00 Three-day Saltwater License $17.00 Annual Military Gold Sportsman’s License $20.00 Seven-day License $30.00 Includes the same licenses and permits as the Gold Sportsman’s License. Available Annual License $47.00 for Florida residents who are active duty or retired military members of the U.S. Armed , Armed Forces Reserve, Florida National Guard, Coast Guard or Coast Saltwater permits – residents and non-residents Guard Reserve at county tax collectors’ offices with current military identification Annual Snook Permit $10.00 card or at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com through an online verification process. Five-Year Snook Permit (Florida residents only) $50.00 Florida Resident Lifetime Saltwater Fishing licenses Annual Spiny Lobster Permit $5.00 Includes Saltwater Fishing license and Snook and Spiny Lobster permits Five-Year Spiny Lobster Permit (Florida residents only) $25.00 Age: 0–4 $126.50 Tarpon Tag (available only at tax collector offices) $51.50 Age: 5–12 $226.50 Unless exempt from license requirements, permits are necessary for the take of Age: 13 or older $301.50 Snook and Spiny Lobster. Tarpon tags required to land tarpon. Florida Resident Lifetime Gold Sportsman’s licenses Information for additional saltwater permits and designations Includes Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses and Snook, Spiny State Reef Fish Angler Designation – those fishing for reef fish from a Lobster, Management Area, Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloading, Deer, Turkey and private vessel in Gulf and Atlantic waters. No exemptions except youth $0.00 Waterfowl permits. under age 16. Age: 0–4 $401.50 Annual Shore-Based Shark Fishing Permit $0.00 Age: 5–12 $701.50 Annual Blue Registration $0.00 Age: 13 or older $1,001.50 Annual Stone Crab Trap Registration $0.00 These new no-cost permits are available online only at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Youth under age 16 are exempt. No other exemptions apply.

Saltwater fishing in Florida – Saltwater license exemptions: ■ Those recreationally fishing from a pier that what to know before you go: ■ Youth under 16 years of age. has a pier saltwater fishing license. Saltwater fishing licenses can be obtained ■ Florida resident age 65 or older with proof ■ Fishing from a for-hire vessel (including online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, at county of age and residency, such as a Florida driv- guide, charter, party boat) that has a valid tax collectors’ offices and license agents, or er’s license or identification card. charter boat or charter captain license. by calling toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347- ■ Florida resident fishing within his or her ■ Fishing from a boat that has a recreational 4356). All sales are final. Handling fees apply county of residence with live or natural bait, vessel fishing license. for telephone and Internet sales. For more using poles or lines not equipped with a fish- ■ A Florida resident who is fishing for mullet information on recreational licensing infor- ing line retrieval mechanism. in freshwater with a valid Florida freshwater mation, visit MyFWC.com/License. ■ Florida Resident Persons with Disabilities fishing license. Hunting and Fishing License holder. Infor- For purposes of saltwater fishing in mation at MyFWC.com/ADA. More saltwater fishing licenses – Florida, a resident is defined as: ■ Florida resident accepted as a client for available at Tax Collectors’ office: ■ Any person who has declared Florida as his developmental disabilities services by the Charter Boat and Charter Captain licenses are or her only state of residence as evidenced Agency for Persons with Disabilities, with available and required to carry paying custom- by a valid Florida driver license or identifica- agency proof thereof. ers (where a fee is paid directly or indirectly) to tion card with both a Florida address and a ■ Florida resident saltwater fishing from land take, attempt to take, or possess saltwater fish Florida residency verified by the Department or a structure fixed to land who has been or organisms. Guides must comply with U.S. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles determined eligible for the food stamp, tem- Coast Guard (USCG) requirements. (HSMV). A Florida voter registration card, porary cash assistance, or Medicaid Pro- ■ Four or fewer customers ����������������� $201.50 declaration of domicile, or homestead gram by the Department of Children and ■ Five to ten customers ���������������������� $401.50 exemption may also be used as proof of Family Services. Must have proof of identi- ■ Eleven or more customers �������������� $801.50 Florida residency. fication and a benefit issuance or program ■ Active duty United States military personnel identification card issued by the Agency for Recreational Vessel licenses are available for stationed in Florida, including spouses and Persons with Disabilities or the Agency for not-for-hire pleasure crafts that are registered dependent children residing in the house- Health Care when fishing. recreationally for a fee of $2,001.50. hold, with military orders. ■ U.S. Armed Forces members who is a Florida resident not stationed in the state but home Pier licenses are available for $501.50 annually on leave with orders for 30 days or less. Does and exempt persons fishing from a pier fixed not include family members. to land from saltwater fishing requirements. ■ Individual commercial saltwater products license holders.

22 January 2021 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

620 South Meridian Street NORTHWEST Farris Bryant Building Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 488-4676 (800) 955-8771 TDD

Gil- Commissioners FWC regional offices christ Robert A. Spottswood Northwest Region 3911 Highway 2321 NORTH CENTRAL Chairman, Key West Panama City, FL 32409 NORTHEAST Michael W. Sole 850-265-3676 Vice Chairman, Tequesta North Central Region Rodney Barreto 3377 East U.S. Highway 90 Coral Gables Lake City, FL 32055 Steven Hudson 386-758-0525 Ft. Lauderdale Northeast Region Gary Lester 1239 Southwest 10th Street Oxford Ocala, FL 34471 SOUTHWEST 352-732-1225 Gary Nicklaus Jupiter Southwest Region 3900 Drane Field Road Sonya Rood Lakeland, FL 33811 St. Augustine 863-648-3200 Staff South Region The regions presented on SOUTH Eric Sutton 8535 Northlake Blvd. this map are not fisheries Executive Director West Palm Beach, FL 33412 management zones. 561-625-5122 For management zones, Dr. Thomas H. Eason please see pages 8-9. Assistant Executive Director

The FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement are traveling Florida’s coastline and waterways, throughout the state, dial *FWC (*392) depending patrols Florida’s coastal waters to provide and may issue citations for violations of state on your location, hail on VHF Channel 16 or report assistance to boaters and anglers as well as to and federal fishing, wildlife and boating laws. violations via text message. Most cell phones enforce Florida’s saltwater fishing and boating In emergencies or if state fisheries, wild- allow users to send text messages directly to an laws. FWC officers assist boaters who are in dis- life or boating laws are being violated, call email address. You can text [email protected]; tress, provide advice and direction to those who 888-404-FWCC (3922) or for cell phone users standard usage fees may apply.

Resource Information At the FWC, it pays to love the outdoors! Join the nation’s largest conservation law enforcement agency—become an FWC law enforcement officer. For more information contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-866-FWC-HIRE (392-4473) or visit MyFWC.com/Law

• To purchase fishing licenses: • To report sawfish sightings: 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356) 941-255-7403 GoOutdoorsFlorida.com [email protected] • FWC Division of Law Enforcement • Bird entanglement 888-404-FWCC (3922) 888-404-3922 727-391-6211 for Tampa area • To report fish and wildlife law violations, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline: • Red information hotline 888-404-FWCC (3922) 866-300-9399 toll free in Florida 727-552-2488 nationwide • FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 727-896-8626 • Aquatic toxins hotline: 888-232-8635 MyFWC.com/Research • Shellfish harvesting questions • To report fish kills: FDACS, 850-617-7600 800-636-0511 https://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices • To report fish tags: • To report lionfish sightings: Visit MyFWC.com 800-367-4461 1-877-786-7267 to learn how to become [email protected] MyFWC.com/Lionfish an FWC officer.

LE_RecruitingAd_SaltWaterReg9c.indd 1 5/13/15 8:23 AM 24 January 2021 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission THE SIMPLE ACT OF FISHING, PRESERVES FISHING. Every time you purchase a fi shing license or register your boat, a portion of the proceeds go toward preserving our nation’s coastlines, lakes, rivers and streams. Protecting our memories on the water for generations to come.

Learn more at TakeMeFishing.org/Conservation

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