Reminder: Snook, red drum and spotted seatrout changes remain in effect for SW Florida areas previously impacted by red tide

March 5, 2019

 

Suggested Tweet: Spotted seatrout over 20 inches plus all red drum & #snook are catch-and-release only in SW #Florida areas previously impacted by #redtide: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/2345ed1 

 

Reminder: Snook, red drum and spotted seatrout changes remain in effect for SW Florida areas previously impacted by red tide  

 

This is a reminder that, while the red tide in southwest Florida has subsided, the following are catch-and-release ONLY in waters from the Pasco-Hernando county line through Gordon Pass in Collier County (includes all of Tampa Bay):

• Spotted seatrout over 20 inches total length.
  • Anglers may still take their daily bag limit of spotted seatrout 15-20 inches in total length.
• Red drum.
  • Catch-and-release only regardless of size.
• Snook.
  • Catch-and-release only regardless of size.
  • Will remain catch-and-release through Aug. 31 as part of an annual season closure.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) made these temporary regulation changes to help conserve these popular inshore species that were negatively impacted by a prolonged red tide that affected the area.

 

These changes are currently slated to remain in effect through May 10, 2019, but FWC will also discuss future management of these species at the May 1-2 Commission meeting in Tallahassee.