Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2014
General Statewide
Freshwater Fishing Regulations
pages 1214
Search MyFWC on Social Media
MyFWC
MyFWC
videos
MyFWC.com/Fishing
CONTENTS
Introduction .............................................6
FWC contact information & regional map
Fishing license requirements & fees.........8
Resident fishing licenses
Nonresident fishing licenses
Lifetime and 5-year licenses
Freshwater fishing tips
from the pros ....................................10-11
Instant
license privileges
Obtain license privileges, 24 hours
a day, via License.MyFWC.com or by
calling toll-free 1-888-FISHFLORIDA
(1-888-347-4356). Processing fees
will apply on sales via telephone and
Internet. A unique license number allows
you to begin fishing immediately after the
transaction.
20142015
For the
latest rules,
always visit:
FLrules.org.
FWC rules
are in
chapter 68.
On the cover
Photo compliments of TakeMeFishing.org
NothiNg like hookiNg the right iNsuraNce. Being out on the water. Its just
one of the things that make the great outdoors great. And with our Outdoorsmen Insurance, well cover your
boat, your rod and anything else you need to reel in that 8-lb largemouth. The reeling part? Well, thats up to you.
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11d00263 (05/12)
Commissioners
Message
2014
Florida is truly the Fishing Capital of the World providing our residents and visitors a
vast variety of incredible fishing opportunities. Your choices are limitless; from thousands
of freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds, to coastal and offshore fishing for a wide variety of
saltwater species.
The lure of fishing lies deep in our culture and consciousness. When we get on the water
or beside a pond or creek, the soothing and relaxing effects of Nature provide a healthy outlet for our busy lives. Think about the last time you were on the water and experienced the
magic of daybreak or a spectacular sunset. Whether it be a bass attacking your top water
plug or the feisty tug of a panfish, few things generate that kind of excitement and leave us
with lifelong memories. While fishing alone lets us recharge and reflect, inviting our family,
friends, and co-workers creates special memories and deepens relationships. Many anglers
have experienced the special privilege of helping someone catch their very first fish. Not only
will you help create one of the most unforgettable experiences of their lives, you enable them
to appreciate Nature and support conservation of our fish and wildlife.
Within this guide you can learn all about how to enjoy Floridas awesome freshwater
fishing opportunities. From license requirements and regulations to fishing tips and recommended access points, this guide is a good place to start. For more information please go to
MyFWC.com/Fishing/Freshwater. Over the first weekend of April and the second weekend of
June, anyone can fish for Floridas freshwater fish with no license required. These weekends
are great opportunities to invite a non-angler with you to introduce them to our great sport.
Please learn about our special program to reward anglers for catching really big fish!
TrophyCatch (TrophyCatchFlorida.com) provides gift cards, shirts, and other valuable
rewards for largemouth bass caught, photo documented, and released. Anglers submitting
their trophy bass catches are providing our biologists with valuable data that help us manage
and conserve Floridas freshwater fish and wildlife and their habitat.
We all live busy lives and far too often we dont take enough time to enjoy the outdoors.
Nearly everyone in Florida lives close to a lake, pond, river, stream or canal. Find a few convenient spots near you that offer public access and make it a habit to stop for a few casts. Your
mind and soul will thank you and who knows, maybe you will catch that fish of a lifetime.
General Statewide
Freshwater Fishing Regulations
pages 1214
MyFWC
MyFWC
Media
MyFWC
videos
available online
Tom Champeau shows off a TrophyCatch bass caught and released while fishing with
NASCAR driver Tony Stewart and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris.
Email pages
Live hyperlinks to
expanded content
One-click printing
INTRODUCTION
This free booklet is your guide to Floridas
freshwater fishing laws and regulations. The
Florida Wildlife Code is the final authority on
fishing laws (www.FLrules.org). The Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) strives to ensure this information is
accurate but assumes no liability for errors
that may occur. In addition, rules can change
between publications. Contact the FWC if
you have questions not adequately covered in
this booklet; see contact list and map below.
This publication is valid from July 1, 2014,
to June 30, 2015.
Florida remains the Fishing Capital of the
World, due to great resources and responsible
management. We consider the quality of life
that is associated with recreational activities
and living in a healthy environment to be
extremely important to Floridians and visitors and are also striving to make Florida the
undisputed Bass Fishing Capital of the World.
The FWC uses the best scientific management possible to help fulfill its mission of
Managing fish and wildlife resources for
their long-term well-being and the benefit
of people. To fund those efforts, the Legislature sets fishing license fees and exemptions, as well as penalties for violating fish
and wildlife conservation laws. State law
guarantees money from the sale of fishing licenses goes to the FWC and cannot
be diverted.
In 1950, Congressmen Dingell and Johnson, at the request of anglers and the fishing
industry, created the Federal Aid in Sport
Fish Restoration (SFR) program, wherein
NORT HWEST
NORTHEAST
Commissioners
Richard A Corbett
Chairman, Tampa
Brian S. Yablonski
Vice Chairman, Tallahassee
Ronald M. Bergeron
Ft. Lauderdale
Aliese P. Liesa Priddy
Immokalee
Adrien Bo Rivard
Panama City
Charles W. Roberts III
Tallahassee
Staff
Nick Wiley
Executive Director
Eric Sutton
Assistant Executive Director
Karen Ventimiglia
Deputy Chief of Staff
Tom Champeau
Director, Freshwater Fisheries Management
20142015
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LICENSES
Fishing license requirements and fees
License, permit, and issuance fees and exemptions are established by the Legislature. In addition to the cost of licenses and permits specified in this section, license agents currently charge a 50-cent issuance fee for selling licenses or permits.
Licensing requirements follow the species of fish you are fishing for, regardless of where you are fishing. For example, anglers fishing
for and possessing largemouth bass in brackish water need a freshwater license; anglers fishing for saltwater species in fresh water (e.g.,
spotted sea trout, red drum, snook, or American shad) need a saltwater license to possess these species. An exception is that when fishing
in fresh water with a freshwater license (or legal exemption) you may take mullet without a saltwater license (seasons and sizes follow the
saltwater fishing rules). See Page 12 for fishing license exemptions, but remember, anyone can buy a license to contribute to conservation.
$17.00
Youth Freshwater Fishing (optional for children under the age of 16 and valid until 17th birthday a fishing license is not required until age 16)
$17.00
$79.00
$32.50
$32.50
$48.00
Resident 64 or Older Sportsman's License includes Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses; and Wildlife
Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl permits
(valid 12 months from specified start date)
$13.50
Sportsman's License includes Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses; and Wildlife Management Area,
Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl permits
(valid 12 months from specified start date)
$80.50
Gold Sportsman's License includes Hunting, Saltwater Fishing and Freshwater Fishing licenses; and
Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook
and Lobster permits
(valid 12 months from specified start date)
$100.00
$100.00
$20.00
$494.00
$17.00
7-Day Freshwater Fishing (valid 7 consecutive days from specified start date)
$30.00
20142015
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20142015
Fishing Contours
PAUL MICHELE, National Sales Manager Americas-Navionics (Navionics.com) and Florida Outdoor Writers Association contributor
The key to finding fish is structure and contours. This is especially
true in bass fishing, with changing patterns and depths related
to seasonal migrations. With modern technologies, Navionics
offers maps for electronic plotters and mobile device apps to
show these bottom contours on most Florida lakes. Reading the
detail just takes a little practice. Each contour line indicates
a change in one foot depth. Basically like a step. They either
go up or down and some are closer or farther apart. As these
lines/steps get closer this means a drop-off or a ledge that
will hold fish. The tighter/thicker the lines, the more dramatic
a drop-off. A surrounding area that shows depths decreasing
would indicate a deep hole--a great spot for summer fish when
they drop to deeper cooler waters. Conversely, if the surrounding
area shows depths increasing, then potentially you are looking
at an offshore hump that can hold suspended fish that may be
feeding in current as bait goes by or a schooling area on a reef.
Many fishermen talk about fishing points, but which ones and
why? With the aid of an electronic chart with contours, a point
can be patterned. In winter/spring, look for a point that shows
contours that have a lot of space between them. This means a
shallow sloping flat. These are areas that fish can use to warm
up and may provide a spawning area or pre-spawn staging prior
to moving shallower.
Swim Baits
ANGIE DOUTHIT, Fishing guide on Lake Okeechobee, and local writer (SouthFloridaBassFishing.com)
Fishing Floridas freshwater lakes
is nothing less than exciting and
thrilling and provides a fun-filled day
for the entire Family to enjoy. Florida
is known as giant bass country and
Lake Okeechobee is one of the top
fisheries in the country. When we
hear someone say Lake Okeechobee,
we immediately associate it with
fishing thick, heavy cover and power
fishing. Power fishing can be very
productive, and one very effective
lure is the swim bait.
20142015
11
M E T H O D S O F TA K I N G F I S H
Game and nongame freshwater fish
Game fish may only be taken with pole-andline or rod-and-reel. There is no limit on the
number of rods an angler may use.
Freshwater fish may not be taken by use
of any free-floating, unattached device, or
by taking of fish or wildlife with firearms,
explosives, electricity, spear gun, poison or
other chemicals. The taking of fish by underwater swimming or diving is prohibited. It is
unlawful to sell, offer for sale or transport out
of the state any freshwater game fish unless
specifically permitted by the FWC, except
that licensed anglers may transport two days
bag limit of legally harvested game fish.
It is illegal to possess any freshwater fish
along with gear that cannot legally be used
to take freshwater fish, including gear types
listed above and below for taking nongame
fish or bait. An exception is game fish may be
possessed together with cast nets having a
stretched mesh size not greater than 1 inch;
minnow dip nets not more than 4 feet in diameter; minnow seines having a stretched mesh
size not greater than 1 inch, a length not more
than 20 feet and a depth not more than 4 feet;
and minnow traps not more than 24 inches in
length and 12 inches in diameter, with a funnel entrance not more than 1 inch in spread.
Black bass, striped bass and white bass
or their hybrids, peacock bass, or crappie
and panfish (for crappie and panfish, only
in waters where minimum-length or slot-size
limits for these fish apply) may not be filleted,
nor their head or tail fin removed, until you
are done fishing for the day.
*NOTE: Statutory provisions (790.052(3),
F.S.) made it lawful for persons to own, possess, and lawfully use firearms and other
weapons, ammunition, and supplies for lawful
purposes including fishing, camping, or lawful
hunting or going to or returning from a fishing, camping, or lawful hunting expedition.
Consequently, although firearms may not be
used to take fish, they can be in possession of
someone with legally taken fish.
12
20142015
length may be taken for bait by the following methods, unless specifically prohibited:
Cast nets having a stretched mesh size
not greater than 1 inch in fresh waters of
the state, unless specifically prohibited.
Minnow dip nets not more than 4 feet in
diameter.
Minnow seines having a stretched mesh
size not greater than 1 inch, a length not
more than 20 feet, and a depth not more
than 4 feet.
Minnow traps not more than 24 inches in
length and 12 inches in diameter, with a funnel entrance not more than 1 inch in spread.
Any game fish taken by these methods
must be released immediately.
Taking of bait for the purpose of sale
requires a commercial fishing license.
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Species of freshwater mussels from other families, such as
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Protected Sturgeons
The species of sturgeon found in Florida
Atlantic (Acipenser oxyrinchus), Gulf
(A. o. desotoi), and shortnose sturgeons
(Acipenser brevirostrum) are protected
both federally and in the state of Florida. No
person shall take, possess or sell any sturgeon or parts thereof, or their nests or eggs,
2014
General Statewide
Freshwater Fishing Regulations
pages 1214
MyFWC
MyFWC
MyFWC
videos
(413) 884-1099
B AG & L E N G T H L I M I T S
Statewide bag and length limits
Lake Jackson, Leon County: Black bass Lake Trafford (Collier County): Black
bass less than 18 inches in total length
bag limit is five, only one of which may be
greater than sixteen inches in total length.
must be released immediately. Black bass
bag limit is five, only one of which may be
22 inches in total length or longer.
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20142015
Measure Total Length with mouth closed and tail squeezed together
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F L O R I DA F R E S H WAT E R F I S H
BLACK BASS
Largemouth bass:
SR 17.27 lbs; BC 24"/8.0 lbs
Spotted bass:
SR 3.75 lbs; BC 16"/2.0 lbs
Shoal bass:
SR Open 4.0 lbs; BC 16"/2.0 lbs
Suwannee Bass:
SR 3.89 lbs; BC 14"/1.5 lbs
GAME FISH
PANFISH
Black crappie:
SR 3.83 lbs; BC 14"/2.0 lbs
Flier:
SR 1.24 lbs; BC 8"/0.5 lb
Bluegill:
SR 2.95 lbs; BC 10"/1.0 lb
Redbreast sunfish:
SR 2.08 lbs; BC 9"/0.5 lb
Redear sunfish:
SR 4.86 lbs; BC 11"/1.25 lbs
Warmouth:
SR 2.44 lbs; BC 9"/0.5 lb
Spotted sunfish:
SR 0.83 lbs; BC 7"/0.5 lb
CICHLID
TEMPERATE BASS
Striped bass:
SR 42.25 lbs; BC 30"/12.0 lbs
White bass:
SR 4.69 lbs; BC 15"/2.5 lbs
Sunshine bass:
SR 16.31 lbs; BC 20"/5.0 lbs
NONGAME FISH
CATFISH
Channel catfish:
SR 44.50 lbs; BC 25"/12.0 lbs
White catfish:
SR 18.88 lbs; BC 22"/5.0 lbs
Yellow bullhead:
SR 5.05 lbs; BC 14"/1.5 lbs
Brown bullhead:
SR 7.02 lbs; BC 16"/2.0 lbs
Longnose gar:
SR 41.00 lbs; BC 40"/15.0 lbs
American shad:
SR 5.19 lbs; BC 18"/3.0 lbs
Bowfin:
SR 19.00 lbs; BC 28"/8.0 lbs
Chain pickerel:
SR 6.96 lbs; BC 22"/3.0 lbs
Florida/Spotted gar:
SR 9.44 lbs; BC 28"/4.0 lbs
For details on state records and angler recognition programs visit: MyFWC.com/BigCatch
16
20142015
Florida freshwater fishes are divided into game fish that have specific bag and length limits and may only be taken with pole-and-line or
rod-and-reel, and nongame fish, which are all others. A license is required to take nongame fish, but additional gear types are allowed (see
Page 12). Non-native fish are those that do not occur in Florida naturally; most should be harvested and never released. Exceptions are
peacock bass, which is a game fish, and triploid grass carp, which are stocked for vegetation control (see Page 13). Where applicable, state
record (SR) weights and the Big Catch (BC) qualifying length or weight for adults are provided. See Page 29 or MyFWC.com/BigCatch for
more details including youth qualifying sizes, slams, specialist, master, elite angler and the new TrophyCatch angler recognition program.
NONNATIVE-NONGAME FISH
F L O R I DA F R E S H WAT E R F I S H
Flathead catfish:
SR 55.05 lbs; BC 36"/25.0 lbs
Jaguar guapote:
SR Open 2.0 lbs; BC 13"/1.5 lbs
Yellow perch:
SR 1.47 lbs; BC 12"/0.75 lb
Blue catfish:
SR 64.50 lbs; BC 36"/25.0 lbs
Mayan cichlid:
SR Open 2.0 lbs; BC 11"/1.0 lb
Common carp:
SR 40.56 lbs; BC 30"/20.0 lbs
Oscar:
SR 2.34 lbs; BC 11"/1.25 lbs
Blue tilapia:
SR 9.38 lbs; BC 18"/5.0 lbs
20142015
17
Freshwater Fisheries
Conservation Highlights from FWC
Bob Wattendorf, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Balancing
science with
public opinion
to enhance your
fisheries.
18
20142015
Bass Stocking
Stocking bass can effectively create new fisheries and re-establish a fishery after a major
fish kill. FWC hatchery staff developed a new
production technique to spawn bass out of
season and raise them on artificial feed, so
larger advanced fingerlings (4-inch) are ready
to stock when more abundant prey are available in the spring. FWC biologists are evaluating survival of advanced-fingerling bass
and experimenting with ways to train bass
raised in hatcheries to more quickly adapt to
life in the wild.
TrophyCatch
As an alternative to further regulating
anglers and making it illegal to harvest trophy-sized bass, TrophyCatch rewards anglers
for voluntarily releasing bass heavier than
eight pounds. By requiring documentation
to verify the bass weight, FWC biologists can
also use data collected by anglers who catch,
document and release these bass, as a form of
citizen-science. This information is important
to determine what conservation management
programs such as habitat restoration, vegetation management, fish stocking, or regulatory controls are most successful in improving
anglers' opportunities to catch trophy bass.
TrophyCatch (TrophyCatchFlorida.com)
launched in October 2012 and is already providing information to document that Florida is
the Bass Fishing Capital of the World, while
promoting catch-and-release of trophy bass.
During its inaugural year, some of TrophyCatchs accomplishments included:
Almost 4,000 registrants
Over $16,000 in prizes awarded for individual catches
Over 150 verified largemouth bass submissions and winners
Phoenix bass boat powered by Mercury
(an additional $40,000 value) awarded to
random-drawing winner Frank Ay
$10,000 from Experience Kissimmee
awarded to Peter Perez for the largest bass
caught in Osceola County
TrophyCatch Champions Ring (an additional $3,000 value) awarded to Bob Williams for the largest certified TrophyCatch
bass, 13 lbs. 14 oz.
Over $70,000 in total prizes awarded
For TrophyCatchs second season, FWC
increased prizes and simplified submission requirements. The largest change in
F R E S H WAT E R
Lee
Help Protect
Report fishing, boating
or hunting law
violations.
20142015
F M A R E G U L AT I O N S
Northwest Region
Need to Know
On the Go?
The Florida Freshwater
Fishing Regulations are
now available online through
your mobile devices!
www.eRegulations.com
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
20142015
21
F M A R E G U L AT I O N S
22
20142015
Hanna Park ponds, Duval County: open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30
minutes after sunset.
Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
Taking of fish or wildlife with firearms or
possession of alcoholic beverages, and use
of cast nets are prohibited.
Panfish bag limit: 20
Channel catfish bag limit: 6
Black bass less than 16 inches in total
length must be released immediately.
Pope Duval East and West ponds, Duval County:
open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise
until 30 minutes after sunset.
Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with
firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
Panfish bag limit: 20
Channel catfish bag limit: 6
Black bass less than 16 inches in total
length must be released immediately.
Bethesda Pond, Duval County: open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30
minutes after sunset.
Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with
firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
Panfish bag limit: 20
Channel catfish bag limit: 6
Black bass less than 16 inches in total
length must be released immediately.
Huguenot Pond, Duval County: open to fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30
minutes after sunset.
Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with
firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
Panfish bag limit: 20
Channel catfish bag limit: 6
Black bass less than 16 inches in total
length must be released immediately.
Crystal Springs Park, Duval County: open to
fishing from 30 minutes before sunrise until
30 minutes after sunset.
No person between the ages of 16 years
and 64 years shall fish unless accompanied by an angler less than 16 years of
age; by an angler 65 years of age or older;
by angler who has been certified by the
U.S. Veterans Administration, U.S. Social
Security Administration, by any branch of
the U.S. Armed Services, or by a licensed
physician in this State to be totally and
permanently disabled and has obtained a
permanent license issued pursuant to Section 379.352(5), F.S.; or by an angler with
proof of acceptance as a client for developmental services by the Agency for Persons
with Disabilities.
Swimming, taking of fish or wildlife with
firearms or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use of cast nets are prohibited.
Boats are prohibited.
Panfish bag limit: 20
Channel catfish bag limit: 6
F M A R E G U L AT I O N S
Newnans Lake, Alachua County: open to fishing.
Trotlines having a gallon-sized plastic float
at each end may be used, provided that
such lines are sunk to the bottom or to a
minimum depth of 4 feet.
No bag limit for channel catfish.
Suwannee Lake, Suwannee County: open to
fishing.
No camping.
No motor vehicles on dam and fishing fingers.
Taking of fish or wildlife with firearms
or possession of alcoholic beverages is
prohibited.
Access to the area from 30 minutes after
sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise for
any use other than fishing and launching
and loading of boats is prohibited.
Black bass less than 18 inches in total
length must be released immediately.
Crappie less than 10 inches in total length
must be released immediately.
No bag limit for channel catfish.
Koon Lake, Lafayette County: open to fishing.
Taking of fish or wildlife with firearms is
prohibited.
No bag limit for channel catfish.
Montgomery Lake, Columbia County: open to
fishing.
Boats are restricted to idle speed no wake.
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20142015
23
F M A R E G U L AT I O N S
24
20142015
F M A R E G U L AT I O N S
Secret Lake, Seminole County: open to fishing.
Swimming, and taking of fish or wildlife
with firearms or possession of alcoholic
beverages are prohibited.
Personal watercraft are prohibited.
Cast nets are prohibited.
Panfish bag limit: 20
Channel catfish bag limit: 6
Black bass must be released immediately.
Lake Blue Cypress, Indian River County: open
to fishing.
Trotlines may be used.
No bag limit for channel catfish.
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20142015
25
F M A R E G U L AT I O N S
Lakes B and 5:
Boats are restricted to idle speed no wake.
Black bass 15 inches in total length or
longer must be released immediately.
Black bass bag limit: 2
Picnic Lake:
Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
26
20142015
F M A R E G U L AT I O N S
Black bass bag limit: 2
Black bass 15 inches in total length or
longer must be released immediately.
Pine (formerly East and West Pasture Lakes)
and Derby Lakes: Check online regulations at
bit.ly/FLFWRegs for possible changes.
Boats may not be used.
Closed to fishing unless authorized by
FWC permit for agency-sanctioned events
except for anglers who have been certified by the U.S. Veterans Administration,
U.S. Social Security Administration, by a
branch of the U.S. Armed Services, or by
a licensed Florida physician to be totally
and permanently disabled and has obtained
a permanent license issued pursuant to
373.561 (5)(b),F.S. or unless that person
presents proof of acceptance as a client for
developmental disabilities services by the
Agency for Persons with Disabilities. One
properly licensed person may fish if accompanying or assisting a permitted individual
as described above.
Other than anglers described above, no one
16 years or older shall fish on Pine or Derby
lakes unless accompanied by a child under
16 years of age.
Panfish bag limit: 20
Anglers may keep no more than 5 bluegill
and redear sunfish 8 inches or longer in
total length per day.
Cemetery Lake:
Boats may not be used.
F M A R E G U L AT I O N S
Go Fish... NOW!
Obtain license
privileges, 24
hours a day
MyFWC.com/License or
888-FISH FLORIDA
(888-347-4356)
28
20142015
South Region
TrophyCatch
Largemouth Bass
Big Catch
33 Freshwater Fishes
State Records
33 Freshwater Fishes
20142015
29
A DV I S O R I E S
Redear sunfish
Brown bullhead
Black crappie Channel catfish White catfish Redbreast sunfish Spotted sunfish Warmouth Mayan cichlid Chain pickerel
Women of childbearing age and young children should consume no more than one meal per month of black bass and largemouth bass.
They should also avoid eating bass larger than 14 inches from the South black bass fishing zone and from certain other areas. They
should avoid eating bowfin and gar. For specific location guidelines for black bass and other species not listed here see Your Guide to
Eating Fish Caught in Florida at bit.ly/GuideToEatingFish.
Redear sunfish
Redbreast sunfish
Brown bullhead
Black crappie Channel catfish White catfish Spotted sunfish Warmouth Mayan cichlid Chain pickerel
Eat black bass and largemouth bass up to once per week. Eat fewer meals of bass larger than 14 inches from the South black bass
fishing zone and from certain other areas. Avoid eating bowfin and gar. For specific location guidelines for black bass and other species
not listed here see Your Guide to Eating Fish Caught in Florida at bit.ly/GuideToEatingFish.
30
20142015
F. A .Q.
32
20142015
Red-eared sliders may be harvested without a permit but not possessed alive without a conditional species permit. Those in possession
of a valid Aquaculture Certificate of Registration and restricted species authorization from the FDACS (FloridaAquaculture.com) may
culture and sell red-eared sliders, but only to out-of-state recipients
or Floridians who have a valid conditional species permit. However,
certified turtle farmers that buy red-eared sliders for direct retail
sale must have a conditional species permit. The application for a
conditional species permit is at License.MyFWC.com. Rules subject
to change; see FLrules.org for the latest.
What regulations apply to clams, mussels and other mollusks?
Regulations governing taking and possession of freshwater mussels
are covered by 68A-23.015 FAC. In summary, Taking live or dead
freshwater mussels for the purpose of sale, as well as selling, is
prohibited. Bag Limit: No person shall take more than 10 freshwater
mussels, or 20 half-shells of the families Unionidae and Margaritiferidae per day. Additionally, no person may possess more than two
days bag limit (20 individual, 40 half-shells) of any mussels of these
families. Any deviation requires a permit from the Executive Director, in accordance with 68A-9.002 FAC (see illustrations, Page 13).
Freshwater mussels from families other than the two mentioned
above, such as Asian clams, may be taken for bait or personal use.
No recreational license is needed.
Mussels may only be taken by hand-picking. Use of brailles,
crowfoot bars, or other mechanical methods is prohibited.
What regulations apply to harvesting fish for home aquaria?
Rules and regulations for recreational take and possession apply. You
cannot be in possession, nor may your aquarium contain more than
these limits. Legal methods of collecting and license requirements also
apply. You need a freshwater fishing license to take (defined as taking, attempting to take, pursuing, hunting, molesting, capturing, or
killing any freshwater fish, their nests or eggs, by any means, whether
or not such actions result in obtaining possession of such freshwater
fish or their nests or eggs). Avoid taking Floridas endangered species. A list of them can be found at MyFWC.com/WildlifeHabitats.
How do I use total length and girth to estimate bass weight?
When you dont have a scale, you can use total length and girth to get
a rough estimate of a bass weight. See the figure on Page 14 for how to
measure total length and girth, then use the following formula: Total
Length (in inches) squared, times girth (in inches) divided by 1200.
For example, a 22" long bass with a girth of 15" would weigh about
6.1 pounds (22 x 22 x 15 / 1200 = 6.1). See MyFWC.com/Bass-Formula
for an online calculator.
What is the penalty for fishing without a license, keeping too
many fish or illegal sized fish? Generally, noncriminal infractions
involve license or permit violations, or motor size issues. Seconddegree misdemeanors are criminal acts and typically involve taking
fish it is illegal to take, fishing in areas that are closed, using illegal
gear and size or bag limit violations. Failure to pay a noncriminal
penalty (similar to a traffic ticket) within 30 days escalates the charge
to a second-degree misdemeanor. Forgery of a license or use of a forged
license is a third-degree felony. Florida Statutes (379.41) outline
the range of penalties; for instance, a second-degree misdemeanor
is punishable by up to $500 and/or 60 days imprisonment at the
discretion of the court.
What is the economic value of freshwater fishing in Florida?
Although the value of recreational fisheries extends far beyond its
economic impact, it is important to note that Floridas famed fisheries
continue to be a major job creator and to attract millions of tourists.
Southwick Associates published Sportfishing in America: An
Economic Force for Conservation, 2013 for the American Sportfishing
Association. This report documents that Florida ranked No. 1 with 3.1
million anglers. Floridas role as the fishing destination for travelers
was reaffirmed, with 2 million nonresident anglers visiting the state.
The ripple effect of these dollars was an $8.7 billion economic impact
from Floridas recreational fisheries that supported 80,211 jobs.
Specific to freshwater in 2011, Florida had 1.2 million anglers. They
enjoyed 25.7 million days fishing, spending almost a billion dollars
and generating an economic impact of $1.7 billion, which supported
more than 14,000 jobs.
352-742-3918.
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Lake dora
Lake harris
Lake griffin
Johns Lake
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