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Florida freshwater fishing forecast for 2010

Florida Fish Busters’ Bulletin By Bob Wattendorf, FWC It is that time of year again when freshwater anglers are taking advantage of the last of the winter crappie fishery and really looking forward to the spring spawn of bass and bream. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists have completed their analyses of the 2009 fishing data from creel studies (angler reported catches), electrofishing studies, Big Catch records and various measures of young-of-the-year sportfish production. In addition, they have...

FWC responds to widespread cold-weather saltwater fish kills with temporary closures

Snook closure extended until September, temporarily closes bonefish and tarpon season until April Catch-and-release fishing still allowed •    Executive Order 10-02 (Dead Fish) Click here •    Executive Order 10-03 (Snook, Tarpon, Bonefish) Click here The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued executive orders to protect Florida’s snook, bonefish and tarpon fisheries from further harm caused by the recent prolonged cold weather in the state, which has caused widespread saltwater fish kills.  The FWC has received numerous reports...

Walton County Commissioners approve new beach vehicle permit ordinance

New changes eliminates non-residents without existing permit, limits boat captains to 20 Walton County Commissioners voted 5-0 in favor of a new beach permit ordinance on Jan. 12, tightening the amount of beach access permits issued.  The new ordinance prohibits non-residents from attaining new permits unless they already have current permit issued. In addition, there will be no more than 20 charter fishing operation permits issued, and charter operations must pay additional fee for trailer. Highlights of the new ordinance...

FWC announces blue crab trap area closure

10 day closure will enable FWC-authorized groups to collect lost and abandoned blue crab traps The harvest of blue crabs from traps will not be allowed from Jan. 5 through Jan. 14 in all waters of Franklin County west to the Florida-Alabama border, except all waters of the Ochlockonee River and Ochlockonee Bay. This closure will give authorized groups the opportunity to identify and retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from the coastal and inland waters in this area....

Sport fishing for greater amberjack set to close in Gulf federal waters

National Marine Fisheries Service states quota has been met The recreational harvest and possession of greater amberjack in or from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico will be prohibited from Oct. 24 through Dec. 31.  Federal waters extend beyond nine nautical miles from shore in the Gulf off Florida.  The National Marine Fisheries Service announced this closure because an established annual recreational harvest quota for greater amberjack in the Gulf has been met. In addition, a person aboard a...

Florida stone crab season opens Oct. 15

Season runs from Oct. 15 – May 15 The commercial and recreational harvest season for stone crab claws in Florida opens on Thursday, Oct. 15.  The season will remain open through May 15. Stone crab claws must be at least 2 3/4 inches in length to be harvested legally, and claws may not be taken from egg-bearing female stone crabs.  Recreational harvesters are allowed to use up to five stone crab traps, and there is a daily bag limit of...