Fishing

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Recreational red snapper season starts June 4 in Gulf state and federal waters off Florida 

The recreational red snapper season will start June 4, 2021 in Gulf state and federal waters off Florida and remain open through July 28, closing July 29. “We are excited about Gov. 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 Chairman Rodney Barreto. For-hire operations that do not have a federal reef fish permit...

First phase of artificial reef construction in northwest Florida now complete 

The construction phase for the Florida Artificial Reef Creation and Restoration project has been completed. This project involved the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) coordinating with local coastal governments to deploy prefabricated artificial reef modules within permitted locations in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore of northwest Florida between Pensacola and Mexico Beach. FWC partnered with six municipalties to complete this project: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties and the City of Mexico Beach. This approximately $11.5...

Walton County fishing report for May 24

Fishing is good! Bay: Redfish, trout, black drum, and sheepshead Surf: Still a few pompano, whiting, spanish mackerel, kings. River: Bream, some shellcracker Click here for fishing forecast Bay and river report brought to you by Copeland’s. “Where the locals shop and the tourists are welcome.” Click here to find out more about Copeland’s. Copeland’s Gun and Tackle Shop 17290 U.S. Hwy. 331 S, Freeport, Florida 32439 (850) 835-4277 Store hours: Mon. – Fri.: 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat.:...

Gag grouper season starts June 1 in most Gulf state waters 

Gag grouper will open for recreational harvest in most state Gulf of Mexico waters and all federal Gulf waters June 1, and will remain open through Dec. 31. Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor and Jefferson counties opened April 1 and will remain open through June 30. These four counties will reopen Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. Monroe County follows the Atlantic state season and opened May 1. Gulf state waters in Florida are from shore to 9 nautical miles. Federal waters begin...

Amberjack, gray triggerfish close June 1 in Gulf state waters 

The recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters closes June 1 and will remain closed through July 31, reopening Aug. 1, 2021. Seasonal harvest closures help conserve Florida’s valuable greater amberjack and gray triggerfish populations and improve these fisheries for the future. If you plan to fish for amberjack or gray triggerfish anywhere in Florida state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up as a State...

Walton County fishing report or May 12

Fishing is good! Bay: Plenty of redfish and trout. Surf: Still a few pompano being caught. River: Lots of catfish, shellcracker, bream. Click here for fishing forecast Bay and river report brought to you by Copeland’s. “Where the locals shop and the tourists are welcome.” Click here to find out more about Copeland’s. Copeland’s Gun and Tackle Shop 17290 U.S. Hwy. 331 S, Freeport, Florida 32439 (850) 835-4277 Store hours: Mon. – Fri.: 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat.: 6...

FWC launches the new Florida fishing pier finder

Are you looking for a place to fish from shore? Check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) new Florida Fishing Pier Finder, an interactive map that allows anglers to find publicly-accessed fishing piers, jetties and fishing-specific bridges in freshwater and saltwater locations throughout the state. It is best viewed using a computer or tablet with a larger screen. Visit MyFWC.com/PierFinder to search for a location by county, city, feature name and type of feature (such as a...