FLORIDA FRESHWATER 2016–2017 FISHING REGULATIONS General Statewide Bass Regulations Have Changed pages 10–12 See page 4 Valid from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 Search MyFWC on Social Media Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Please visit MyFWC.com/Fishing/Freshwater for the most current regulations FISHING REGULATIONS MyFWC.com Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing for up-to-date information on fishing, boating and how to help ensure safe, sustainable fisheries for the future. CONTENTS FLRules.org For the latest rules, always visit FLRules.org. FWC rules are in chapter 68. Fish and Wildlife Alert Reward Program Report fishing, boating or hunting law violations by calling toll-free 1-888-404-FWCC (3922); on cell phones, dial *FWC or #FWC depending on service carrier; report viola- tions online at MyFWC.com/Law or text: [email protected]. FREE Florida Wildlife Magazine — Online TakeMeFishing.org Articles and tips for anglers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts. Visit FloridaWildlifeMagazine.com to subscribe Commissioners’ Message ........................ 2 Taking Mussels & Clams ........................ 11 to the new electronic publication. NEW RULES ............................................2 Special Regulations for Triploid Grass Carp, Alligator Gar, Florida Freshwater TrophyCatch ............................................. 4 Atlantic, Gulf and Shortnose Sturgeon.... 11 Angler Newsletter Introduction & FWC Offices .....................6 Statewide Bag & Length Limits .............. 12 Subscribe to FWC's free quarterly fishing newsletter at bit.ly/FFASubscribe. Fishing License Requirements & Fees ...... 7 Special Bag & Length Limits .................. 12 Freshwater Fishing Tips Fish Identification Chart .................. 14–15 from the Pros ....................................... 8–9 Stop the Spread of Freshwater Fisheries Non-native Species Freshwater License Exemptions .............10 Conservation Highlights .........................16 It is illegal to release any non-native fish Methods of Taking Freshwater Fish ........10 How to Measure Your Catch ....................17 or any other non-native organism into the waters of the state. To find out more visit Game & Nongame Freshwater Fish .........10 Fish Management Area Regulations .......19 MyFWC.com/WildlifeHabitats. Prohibited Gear for Taking Summer Fishing Camps for Youth ........... 22 Marine Fish in Fresh Water .................... 11 Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) ...24 Methods of Taking Bait .......................... 11 Frequently Answered Questions ............. 27 Release and Movement of Fish............... 11 Fish Consumption Advisory ....................28 Use of Fish for Bait ................................ 11 Buy your license online! When you buy your You can obtain a license 24 hours a day at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and begin On the cover license online, it’s fast, fishing immediately! Deborah Hanson caught, documented and convenient and saves Licenses are also available toll-free at released this 10 lbs. 6 oz. largemouth bass time and travel. 1-888-FISHFLORIDA (1-888-347-4356). in Lake Istokpoga, earning her TrophyCatch Download the FWC Fish-Hunt-FL Processing fees apply to telephone and Internet sales. rewards (see page 4). Photo courtesy app for your iPhone or Android for of TrophyCatchFlorida.com. instant access. FLORIDA FRESHWATER COMMISSIONERS’ MESSAGE 2016–2017 FISHING REGULATIONS General Statewide A new era for bass management Bass Regulations Thank you for taking time to review this 2016–17 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Summary. Have Changed We hope you find the articles and information helpful as you plan your fishing trips in Florida’s pages 10–12 abundant lakes, rivers, and ponds. We want to help you and your families enjoy great fishing trips that create lasting memories. This year will mark a historic period in Florida’s management of largemouth and other black bass species. Statewide regulations for bass have been in existence since 1994 while the number See page 4 of lakes managed under special regulations has increased. As part of the FWC’s Black Bass Valid from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 Management Plan (bit.ly/BlackBassPlan), FWC biologists worked for over two years to listen to Search MyFWC on Social Media Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Please visit MyFWC.com/Fishing/Freshwater angler opinions, evaluate bass populations statewide, and develop a proposal that will simplify for the most current regulations all bass regulations, meet angler desires, and ensure that Florida continues to produce trophy bass into the future (see page 16 for details on New Bass Regulations). This guide is also filled with useful fishing tips from the pros, suggestions on where to go fishing, information about health concerns of eating fish, fishing camps for children and fami- About this Guide lies, and Florida’s Angler Recognition Programs. Our TrophyCatch Program has entered its This high-quality regulation guide is offered to fourth season, rewarding anglers for catching, photodocumenting, and releasing largemouth you by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation bass weighing over eight pounds (TrophyCatchFlorida.com). We are grateful to all our anglers Commission’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries and partners who make TrophyCatch a successful example of citizen-science to conserve our Management through its unique partnership with valuable trophy bass fisheries. J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC. If you are a visiting angler to Florida, welcome! More information about freshwater fish- ing can be found at our website (MyFWC.com/fishing/freshwater). Please contact our closest J.F. Griffin is an award-winning publishing house Regional Office listed on page 6 to speak to one of our biologists. Great fishing is always that specializes in producing state fish & wildlife close by in Florida, all you need to do is enjoy! regulation books. J.F. Griffin supports the FWC staff in the design, layout and editing of the guides. It also manages the marketing and sales of advertising to appropriate businesses within the book. NEW The revenue generated through ad sales significantly lowers production costs and generates savings. Freshwater Rule Changes These savings translate into additional funds for other important fisheries and habitat programs. Promotional advertisement does not constitute Statewide black bass rules have been changed. endorsement by FWC. The new statewide bag and length limits for black bass are: 5 Black bass If you have any feedback or are interested in (including largemouth, Suwannee, spotted, Choctaw, and shoal bass, individually advertising, please contact us at 413.884.1001 or in total), only one of which may be 16 inches or longer in total length. There is or online at www.JFGriffin.com no statewide minimum length limit for largemouth bass. Graphic Design: Regulations for black bass species including Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski, John Corey Suwannee, shoal, spotted, and Choctaw bass have been changed. J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC is proud to print the official Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations No person shall kill or possess any Suwannee, shoal, spotted, or Choctaw bass summary on post-consumer recycled paper. that is less than 12 inches in total length. Shoal Bass Conservation Zone 430 Main St. Suite 5 | Williamstown, MA 01267 Chipola River: No person shall kill or possess any shoal bass in the section between Peacock Bridge and Johnny Boy Landing. available online For additional information: in a new Digital Edition! Check Special Regulations on page 12 and specific Fish Management Area rules on pages 19–26 for additional details. Fully searchable Email pages Live hyperlinks to One-click printing expanded content 2 2016–2017 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FISHING REGULATIONS GUIDE - ME & MD TRIM: . 8˝ X 10-1/2˝ (AND VARIOUS OTHER STATES) BLEED: . 8-1/4˝ X 10-3/4˝ SAFETY: . 7˝ X 10˝ TRIM TRIM SAFETY TRIM BLEED BLEED SAFETY BLEED BLEED TRIM TRIM SAFETY SAFETY EVERY BOAT NEEDS A PROTECTOR. 1.800.PROGRESSIVE / PROGRESSIVE.COM Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affi liates. SAFETY SAFETY TRIM TRIM BLEED BLEED TRIM TRIM TRIM BLEED BLEED SAFETY SAFETY Client: Progressive Job No: 14D00472 Created by: Dalon Wolford Applications: InDesign CC, Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Illustrator CC Fonts(s): Humanist ; Benton Job Description: Full Page, 4 Color Ad Document Name: Viking ad / Fishing Regulations Guide - ME & MD (& various states) Final Trim Size: 7-7/8˝ X 10-1/2˝ Final Bleed: 8-1/8˝ X 10-13/16˝ Safety: 7˝ X 10˝ Date Created: 11/3/15 ANGLER RECOGNITION PROGRAMS TrophyCatch TrophyCatch Research FaceBook.com/TrophyCatchFlorida and fol- TrophyCatch is Florida’s most popular rea- Data collected from over 4,000 TrophyCatch low us at YouTube.com/TrophyCatchFlorida son to go bass fishing! It offers great prizes for submissions so far provides Florida Fish and for the latest catches and information. anglers who document Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists This program would not be possible without and release largemouth with the number of trophy-sized bass being TrophyCatch partners, which include Bass Pro bass 8 pounds and over. caught and released around Florida, helping Shops, Phoenix Boats, Mercury Marine, You must have a scale to identify productive waterbodies for future Rapala, SpiderWire, Power-Pole, American and camera to capture lake management planning. More details can Outdoors Fund which provides the Trophy- the required photo of be found at TrophyCatchFlorida.com/research.