Fishing

Category

Speckled trout recreational harvest closed Feb. 1 – March 1

Recreational harvest of spotted seatrout closes Feb. 1 in the Western Panhandle management zone (Escambia County through the portions of Gulf County west of 85 degrees, 13.76 minutes west longitude but NOT including Indian Pass or Indian Lagoon). Spotted seatrout harvest will reopen in the western panhandle region March 1, 2021. Currently, spotted seatrout, redfish and snook are catch-and-release through May 31, 2021, in waters from the Hernando/Pasco county line south through Gordon Pass in Collier County. Florida Fish and...

Walton County fishing report for Jan. 16

Fishing is good! Bay: Lots of redfish for those heading out River: Catfish 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 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sun.: Closed...

2021 Lionfish Festival May 15-16 in Destin; vendors and divers wanted

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is excited to announce the 7th annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival May 15 and 16 at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar and HarborWalk Village in Destin. Come out and celebrate the fight against invasive lionfish with the FWC and Destin–Fort Walton Beach. Activities will include fillet demonstrations; family-friendly games and activities; art, diving and conservation booths; and the world’s largest lionfish spearfishing tournament, the Emerald Coast Open. Satisfy your taste buds...

FWC approves measures to support recovery and restoration of oysters in Apalachicola Bay 

At its December meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved changes to help with restoration and recovery of oysters in the Apalachicola Bay system. These changes include the temporary suspension of all wild oyster harvest and the prohibition of on-the-water possession of wild oyster harvesting equipment (tongs) from Apalachicola Bay through Dec. 31, 2025. The proposed rules will not apply to oyster aquaculture operations. These changes were proactively put into place Aug. 1, 2020, via Executive Order....

FWC approves regulation changes for flounder effective March 1

At its December Commission meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved changes to the management of Florida’s flounder fishery. A stock status update suggested that the flounder fishery statewide has been in a general declining trend in recent years and is likely overfished and undergoing overfishing on the Atlantic coast of Florida. Other south Atlantic and Gulf states have also reported declines in flounder populations and have been making their own regulation changes. FWC has been working with...

Walton County fishing report for Dec. 15

Fishing is good! Bay: Lots of redfish everywhere! Surf: Pompano, whiting. River: Catfish, crappie. 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 FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS: Open until 5 p.m. 12/24, reopen 1/11/21. Merry Christmas!...

Walton County fishing report for Dec. 7

Fishing is good! Bay: Lots of redfish Surf: Whiting 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 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sun.: Closed...