FWC will make changes in SW Florida catch-and-release area
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will make changes to snook, redfish and spotted seatrout management in the area of southwest Florida where they are currently...
View ArticleGovernor Ron DeSantis continues support for FWC and natural resources
The budget is evidence of Governor DeSantis’ resolute commitment to ensuring Florida’s natural resources will be conserved for future generations. Included in the Governor’s Florida Leads Budget is...
View ArticleRecreational red snapper season starts June 4 in Gulf state and federal...
DeSantis’ recent announcement of this year’s 55-day Gulf red snapper summer season, it is one of the longest we’ve had since the FWC began managing the season in state and federal waters,” said FWC...
View ArticleFWC works to restore habitat at Lake Trafford
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Big Cypress Basin of the South Florida Water Management District are partnering on an aquatic habitat restoration project in Lake...
View ArticleFWC names Roger Young new director for Division of Law Enforcement
Today, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced Roger Young as the new director for the agency’s Division of Law Enforcement. Colonel Young will oversee more than 1,000...
View ArticleU.S. Army Corps of Engineers renames Moore Haven Lock and Dam to honor fallen...
He was a young man of outstanding character, deeply beloved by his community. The Corps is honored to rename the Moore Haven Lock and Dam as the ‘Julian Keen, Jr. Lock and Dam’ in his memory.”read more
View ArticleBay scallop season opens July 1 in Franklin-Jefferson, a portion of Taylor, &...
Recreational bay scallop season for Franklin County through the northwestern portion of Taylor County, as well as Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties opens July 1 and will remain open through Sept.read...
View ArticleGag grouper recreational annual closure starts July 1 from Franklin to Taylor...
The four-county area includes all waters of Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass, including those in Gulf County, and all waters of the Steinhatchee River, including those in Dixie County.read more
View ArticleLionfish Challenge 2021 Update
Toadfish Non-Tipping Can Cooler Helen Rodney France Merread more
View ArticleWondering about the impact of antler point regulations in Florida? Find out now!
Data about the impact of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) deer antler point regulations suggest progress is being made in an area important to most deer hunters – more...
View ArticleFWCs Operation Dry Water promotes education, enforcement for boating under...
FWC officers will be enforcing Florida’s boating under the influence laws and educating boaters about safe boating practices, which includes boating sober.read more
View ArticleFWC Releases 2020 Boating Accident Statistical Report
With the release of the 2020 Boating Accident Statistical Report, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages boaters to focus on taking the necessary steps for a safer...
View ArticleJust released! FWCs 2021-2022 manatee and sea turtle decals
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) just released the new 2021-2022 manatee and sea turtle decals. These high-quality waterproof stickers feature two different designs and are a...
View ArticleNew $10,000 award announced for the Florida Python Challenge
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), South Florida Water Management District and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida are pleased to announce a new $10,000 Ultimate...
View ArticleFWC arrests 2 for the illegal killing of a tarpon
In March, the FWC received photographs and video of a large tarpon being held by three individuals on a dock in Key Largo. Thanks to tips and information from multiple witnesses, two of the three...
View ArticleTrophyCatch celebrates exceeding 100 approved Hall of Fame catches weighing...
These bass are the biggest of the big — true Florida giants. Florida largemouth bass grow larger than northern largemouth bass found in the rest of the country. Many state records outside Florida are...
View ArticleNew snook, redfish and spotted seatrout catch-and-release measures for Tampa Bay
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), after consultation with its partners, has temporarily made snook, redfish and spotted seatrout catch-and-release only in Tampa Bay due to...
View ArticleFlorida Python Challenge kicks of today; with new $10,000 award
To date, more than 450 people have signed up to for the competition to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the one-of-a-kind Everglades ecosystem.read more
View ArticleFWC to meet August 4-5 in Bonita Springs
The FWC is committed to providing opportunity for public input. There are several opportunities prior to the Commission meeting to provide comments. Also, time is allotted for public speakers at the...
View ArticleSpiny lobster seasons start soon
Learn more about bag limits, size limits, where to harvest and other regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Recreational Regulations” and “Lobster,” which is under the “Crabs, Lobster and...
View ArticleThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and partners celebrate...
The 2021 Florida Python Challenge ® yielded unprecedented results this year with participants removing 223 invasive Burmese pythons from south Florida. More than 600 people participated in the 10-day...
View ArticleTampa Bay snook, redfish and spotted seatrout catch-and-release measures...
These changes went into effect earlier this summer due to recent impacts from red tide The Commission decided to keep these measures in place until they can be reevaluated at the next Commission...
View ArticleFWC video outlines new rules to keep chronic wasting disease from spreading...
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has introduced a by reducing the risk of chronic wasting disease or CWD from spreading into the state. CWD, which has not been detected in...
View ArticleFWC conducts aquatic plant control on Lake Tohopekaliga
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will conduct aquatic plant control on Lake Tohopekaliga the week of Aug.read more
View ArticleFWC seeking feedback on proposed changes to diamondback terrapin rules
If approved, the proposed revisions will affect take, possession, transport and sale of diamondback terrapins in Florida.read more
View ArticleApply now for FWCs 2021-2022 High School Fishing Program curriculum and grant...
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2021-2022 High School Fishing Program offers high school fishing clubs or teams the opportunity to teach fisheries conservation, practice...
View ArticleFWC conducts Lake Okeechobee plant management, Aug. 30
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) plans to conduct aquatic plant management on Lake Okeechobee from Monday, Aug.read more
View ArticleFWC temporarily prohibits take of freshwater softshell turtles and...
On Aug. 26, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued executive order #21-19 that states the take or transport of all freshwater softshell turtle species or yellow-bellied...
View ArticleGag grouper fall season opens Sept. 1 in Gulf 4-county region
The minimum size limit for gag grouper is 24 inches total length and the daily bag limit is two fish per harvester within the four-grouper aggregate bag limit. Charter captains and crew have a zero bag...
View ArticleFWC hosts public meeting on Lake Apopka hydrilla management
Staff from the FWC and the St. Johns River Water Management District will provide an update on current lake conditions, management and restoration efforts. Members of the public can ask questions and...
View ArticleHelp plan the future of the John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland Wildlife and...
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will present a draft 10-year management plan for the John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area at a public hearing...
View ArticleLabor Day last day to harvest bay scallops from the Fenholloway to the...
The last day to recreationally harvest bay scallops from the Fenholloway River to the Suwannee River is Labor Day (Sept.read more
View ArticleFWC urges safe boating practices during Labor Day holiday weekend
Boaters are reminded not to operate vessels under the influence. In addition to decreasing the operator's ability to make sound judgments, the consumption of alcohol also negatively affects the ability...
View ArticleFWC, Key municipalities to hold roundtable discussion on new anchoring...
The FWC will solicit comments from the public at this meeting to hear directly from stakeholders interested in this issue.read more
View ArticleFWC approves new regulations for spot and Atlantic croaker on Atlantic coast
There have been recent coastwide declines in abundance and harvest of spot and Atlantic croaker. The approved changes are part of a coastwide, multi-state conservation strategy for Atlantic stocks of...
View ArticleFWC approves a draft proposal for limited, highly regulated harvest of...
Staff were directed to explore additional changes before bringing the proposal back for final approval at the March 2022 meeting.read more
View ArticleAnd the 2021 Lionfish Challenge winners are
At its October meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the winners of this year’s Lionfish Challenge.read more
View ArticleFWC seeks public input on beach-nesting birds draft guidelines
Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines are intended to provide information on rule requirements as they relate to permitting. They also provide information on the species’ range,...
View ArticleSept. 24: last day to harvest bay scallops this year
The last day to recreationally harvest bay scallops in Gulf County through northwest Taylor County, and in Levy through Hernando counties is Sept.read more
View ArticleFWC seeks landowners to help with gopher tortoise conservation
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking landowners to help with gopher tortoise conservation efforts as part of the agency’s Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Program. The...
View ArticleFWC to meet October 6-7 in St. Augustine
The FWC is committed to providing opportunity for public input. There are several opportunities prior to the Commission meeting to provide comments. Also, time is allotted for public speakers at the...
View ArticleFWC East Lake Toho project showing signs of success
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeing positive results from a multi-year habitat enhancement project on East Lake Tohopekaliga, also known as East Lake Toho, in Osceola...
View ArticleSe ofrecen clases virtuales sobre las habilidades de seguridad para cazadores...
Los cursos de seguridad para cazadores están diseñados para ayudar a los estudiantes a convertirse en cazadores seguros, responsables y conocedores, y aprender sobre la conservación.read more
View ArticleHelp plan the future of the Janet Butterfield Brooks Wildlife and...
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will present the 10-year draft management plan for the Janet Butterfield Brooks Wildlife and Environmental Area at a public hearing in...
View ArticleVirtual meeting Oct. 28 gathers input on proposed largemouth bass regulation...
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting a virtual public meeting on Oct.read more
View ArticleCatfish stocked in Okeechobee area support angler education
The Okeechobee area has some new residents! The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently stocked 1,400 channel catfish in the Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center and Okeechobee...
View ArticleCatch a Florida Memory celebrates 5-year catch-iversary with program milestone
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Saltwater Angler Recognition program, Catch a Florida Memory , celebrated it’s 5-year anniversary by achieving more than 20,000 approved...
View ArticleSpotted seatrout Central East Region seasonal closure starts
Spotted seatrout are one of Florida’s most popular inshore fisheries. This closed season was re-established in 2020 for the Central East Region to address declining trends in the stock and benefit...
View ArticleFWC continuing restoration, plant management work on East Lake Toho
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) plans to conduct cattail management on East Lake Tohopekaliga (Toho) on Wednesday, Oct.read more
View ArticleLake management plans now available, FWC hosting public meetings
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has released new draft Lake Management Plans for the Harris Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and Lake Okeechobee, and will be hosting...
View Article
