Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission News

Bass boat giveaway highlights TrophyCatch's commitment to conservation

One lucky angler will soon be the recipient of a brand-new bass boat package during a live drawing at the Bobby Lane High School Cup Bass Fishing Tournament in Lake Wales on December 7.

Flounder fishing season reopens with specific size and bag limits

The recreational harvest of flounder in Florida's state and federal waters is set to resume on December 1.

Florida's snook harvest season closes in December across different regions

The recreational snook harvest season in Florida is set to close on December 1 for the west coast regions, including Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and Southwest.

Florida recovers stolen gold coins worth $1M from historic shipwreck

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has successfully recovered 37 gold coins that were stolen from the 1715 Fleet shipwrecks.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission plans December meeting in Lakeland

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is scheduled to hold a meeting on December 11-12 at the RP Funding Center’s Sikes Hall in Lakeland, Florida.

FWC enhances habitat at Fisheating Creek WMA starting December

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will undertake a project to enhance habitat and improve public access in the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area in Glades County.

DeSantis extends Gulf Red Snapper fishing season by 17 days

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced an extension to the 2024 Gulf Red Snapper recreational season, adding 17 more days for fishing.

Florida offers holiday discounts on hunting and fishing licenses

Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to offer significant discounts on certain resident hunting and fishing licenses until January 3, 2025.

Vamos a Pescar grant program application deadline approaches

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding organizations that the application period for the 2025 Vamos A Pescar™ Grant Program will soon close.

FWC's TrophyCatch ceremony honors top bass catches with awards

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) TrophyCatch program is set to honor the top 15 bass catches of the past season with a ceremony that will include awards and prizes.

Florida urges caution as migrating manatees seek warm waters

November marks Manatee Awareness Month, prompting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to remind boaters to be vigilant as manatees migrate to warmer waters across the state.

Public invited to discuss Suwannee Ridge Wildlife Area management plan

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is organizing a public hearing regarding the Suwannee Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area Management Plan Amendment.

Hogfish harvest closes in Atlantic/Florida Keys waters from Nov. 1

Hogfish recreational fishing will be temporarily closed in both state and federal waters off Florida's east coast and the Florida Keys starting November 1.

Spotted seatrout harvest closure set for Central East region from Nov. 1

Spotted seatrout will be off-limits for recreational fishing from November 1 through December 31 in the Central East Management Region.

Greater amberjack fishing season closes in Gulf waters from November

The recreational harvest of greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico will be closed starting November 1, following the last day of harvest on October 31.

Lake Okeechobee plant management starts with helicopter operations

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has initiated a project to manage aquatic plants on Lake Okeechobee starting the week of October 28.

Deer season begins in Zone D amid new chronic wasting disease measures

Archery and crossbow seasons in Zone D are set to commence on October 26, marking the start of deer season outside the wildlife management area system.

FWC tackles displacement of hundreds of boats after hurricanes in Florida

Florida, known as "The Boating Capital of the World," is dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which displaced hundreds of vessels across the state. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has responded by deploying 17 additional officers and three derelict vessel specialists to southwest Florida. These teams are tasked with locating, identifying, and investigating vessels rendered derelict by the storms.

DeSantis announces funding boost for marine infrastructure recovery

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a $1 million investment from the Florida Disaster Fund to aid in rebuilding marine infrastructure damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The funding, awarded to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, will be used for repairs across the Big Bend region, including boat slips, docks, fish houses, and aquaculture businesses.

Florida urges fall action for safe exclusion of building-roosting bats

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued a reminder to the public about the optimal time for excluding bats from buildings. While Florida's 13 native bat species usually roost in natural settings, they sometimes seek shelter in human-made structures. With the end of bat maternity season on August 15, it is now permissible to exclude bats from homes and other buildings.