2014-15 Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations

7272019 2014-15 Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations

httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-15-florida-freshwater-fishing-regulations 136

FLORIDA FRESHWATER 2014

Valid from July 1 2014

to June 30 2015

General Statewide

Freshwater Fishing Regulationspages 12ndash14

Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission

MyFWCcomFishingMyFWC MyFWC MyFWC videos

Search MyFWC on Social Media







CONTENTS

Commissionersrsquo Message 4 Black bass fishing zones 20

New Rules 4 General regulations for fish

management areas 21Introduction 6

FWC contact information amp regional map Specific fish management

area regulations 21ndash28

Fishing license requirements amp fees 8 Northwest Region

Resident shing licenses North Central Region

Nonresident shing licenses Northeast Region

Lifetime and 5-year licenses Southwest Region

South RegionFreshwater fishing tips

from the pros 10-11 Fishing and Basic Boating

Skills Camps 24Freshwater license exemptions 12

Federal Aid in Sport FishMethods of taking freshwater fish 12 Restoration (SFR) 26

Game amp nongame freshwater fish 12 Angler Recognition Programs 29

TrophyCatch Prohibited gear for taking Big Catchmarine fish in fresh water 12 State Records

Methods of taking bait 12Fish consumption advisory 30

Release and movement of fish 13 Florida safe eating guidelines

Use of fish for bait 13 Frequently answered questions 32

Taking mussels amp clams 13

Special regulations for

triploid grass carp alligator gar

Atlantic Gulf and shortnose sturgeon 13

Statewide bag amp length limits 14How to measure your catch

Special bag amp length limits 14

Fish identification chart 16ndash17

Freshwater FisheriesConservation Highlights 18

From FWC

Web Site MyFWCcom

Visit MyFWCcomFishing for up-to-date

information on shing boating and how

to help ensure safe sustainable sheries

for the future

Fish and wildlife alertreward program

Report shing boating or hunting

law violations by calling toll-free

1-888-404-FWCC (3922) on cell

phones dial FWC or FWC depending

on service carrier report violations

online at MyFWCcomLaw or text

TipMyFWCcom

Instantlicense privileges

Obtain license privileges 24 hours

a day via LicenseMyFWCcom 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 shing immediately after the

transaction

Stop the spread ofnon-native species

It is illegal to release any non-native sh

or any other non-native organism into the

waters of the state To nd out more visit

MyFWCcomWildlifeHabitats

FREE Florida Wildlifemagazine mdash online

Articles and tips for anglers hunters

and other outdoor enthusiasts Visit

FloridaWildlifeMagazinecom to subscribe

to the new electronic publication

For thelatest rulesalways visitFLrulesorg

FWC rulesare in

chapter 68

On the cover

Photo compliments of TakeMeFishingorg

2 2014ndash2015 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission



NOTHING LIKE HOOKING THE RIGHT INSURANCE Being out on the water Itrsquos just

one of the things that make the great outdoors great And with our Outdoorsmen Insurancereg wersquoll cover your

boat your rod and anything else you need to reel in that 8-lb largemouth The reeling part Well thatrsquos up to you

Progressive Casualty Ins Co amp affiliates Auto insurance prices and products are different when purchased directly from Progressive or through independent agentsbrokers11D00263 (0512)

PROGRESSIVECOMOUTDOORSMEN

OUTDOORSMEN INSURANCE PICKUPS SUVs CAMPERS ATVs BOATS



CommissionersrsquoMessageFlorida is truly the Fishing Capital of the World providing our residents and visitors avast variety of incredible shing opportunities Your choices are limitless from thousands

of freshwater lakes rivers and ponds to coastal and offshore shing for a wide variety ofsaltwater species

The lure of shing lies deep in our culture and consciousness When we get on the wateror beside a pond or creek the soothing and relaxing effects of Nature provide a healthy out-let for our busy lives Think about the last time you were on the water and experienced themagic of daybreak or a spectacular sunset Whether it be a bass attacking your top waterplug or the feisty tug of a pansh few things generate that kind of excitement and leave uswith lifelong memories While shing alone lets us recharge and reect inviting our familyfriends and co-workers creates special memories and deepens relationships Many anglershave experienced the special privilege of helping someone catch their very rst sh Not onlywill you help create one of the most unforgettable experiences of their lives you enable themto appreciate Nature and support conservation of our sh and wildlife

Within this guide you can learn all about how to enjoy Floridarsquos awesome freshwatershing opportunities From license requirements and regulations to shing tips and recom-

mended access points this guide is a good place to start For more information please go toMyFWCcomFishingFreshwater Over the rst weekend of April and the second weekend ofJune anyone can sh for Floridarsquos freshwater sh with no license required These weekendsare 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 shTrophyCatch (TrophyCatchFloridacom) provides gift cards shirts and other valuablerewards for largemouth bass caught photo documented and released Anglers submittingtheir trophy bass catches are providing our biologists with valuable data that help us manageand conserve Floridarsquos freshwater sh and wildlife and their habitat

We all live busy lives and far too often we donrsquot take enough time to enjoy the outdoorsNearly everyone in Florida lives close to a lake pond river stream or canal Find a few con-venient spots near you that offer public access and make it a habit to stop for a few casts Yourmind and soul will thank you and who knows maybe you will catch that ldquosh of a lifetimerdquo

Freshwater Rule ChangesLake Jackson Leon County Black bass bag limit is ve only one of which may be (Implemented Sep 2013)

Tom Champeau shows off a TrophyCatch bass caught and released while fishing withNASCAR driver Tony Stewart and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris

P h o t o C

r e d i t R i c h a r d

G i b s o n

F L ORID A F RE SHW AT E R 2014

Search My FW C on Social Media

Validfr om July 1 2014toJune 302 015

Gener al S t at ew ide F r eshw at er F ishing Reg ulat ionspag es 12ndash14

F lorida F ish and W ildlife Conser vation CommissionMy F W Ccom F ishing

MyF W C M y FW C My F WCv ideos

About this GuideThis high-quality regulation guide is offered to

you by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commissionrsquos Division of Freshwater Fisheries

Management through its unique partnership with

JF Griffin Publishing LLC

JF Griffin is an award-winning publishing house

that specializes in producing state fish amp wildlife

regulation books JF Griff in supports the FWC staff

in the design layout and editing of the guides It also

manages the marketing and sales of advertising to

appropriate businesses within the book

The revenue generated through ad sales significantly

lowers production costs and generates savings

These savings translate into additional funds for

other important fisheries and habitat programs

Promotional advertisement does not constitute

endorsement by FWC

If you have any feedback or are interested in

advertising please contact us at 4138841001

or online at wwwJFGriffincom

Graphic Design

Jon Gulley Dane Fay Evelyn Haddad

Erin Murphy Chris Sobolowski

JF Griffin Publishing LLC is proud to print theofficial Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulationssummary on post-consumer recycled paper

430 Main St Suite 5 | Williamstown MA 01267

available online in a new Digital Edition

Fully searchable Email pages

Live hyperlinks to One-click printingexpanded content





INTRODUCTION

This free booklet is your guide to Floridarsquos shing tackle was assessed an excise fee and wholesome experience that reects a happyfreshwater shing laws and regulations The the monies returned to the states for sh and healthy lifestyle Moreover it is the NoFlorida Wildlife Code is the nal authority on restoration projects The ldquoWallop-Breauxrdquo 1 gateway activity to get youth connected toshing laws (wwwFLrulesorg) The Florida amendment in 1984 added import duties on nature in active outdoor recreation which canFish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sport shing equipment pleasure boats and reduce obesity improve grades and most of(FWC) strives to ensure this information is yachts as well as taxes on motorboat fuels The all add enjoyment to their livesaccurate but assumes no liability for errors result is one of the most successful ldquouser-pays The FWC is working hard to ensure safethat may occur In addition rules can change public-benetsrdquo programs in the world with and sustainable recreational shing for allbetween publications Contact the FWC if taxes from the sale of outdoor recreation sup- of our citizens and guests and depends onyou have questions not adequately covered in plies enhancing and promoting the resource your license fees to make sure there are shthis booklet see contact list and map below The amount of money Florida receives from for tomorrowThis publication is valid from July 1 2014 SFR is based on the size of the state and theto June 30 2015 number of paid licensed anglers ndash not licenses

Florida remains the ldquoFishing Capital of the and permits but the people who hold themWorldrdquo due to great resources and responsible For instance an angler with freshwater andmanagement We consider the quality of life saltwater licenses and a snook permit countsthat is associated with recreational activities as one holder Each certied holder (137 mil-and living in a healthy environment to be lion) generates approximately $800 more forextremely important to Floridians and visi- sportsh restoration providing $11 milliontors and are also striving to make Florida the for Florida in 2014undisputed ldquoBass Fishing Capital of the Worldrdquo Of those monies 15 percent went to boating

The FWC uses the best scientic manage - access mdash building and repairing ramps andment possible to help fulll its mission of courtesy docks The remainder went to freshldquoManaging sh and wildlife resources for and saltwater sheries conservation projectstheir long-term well-being and the benet such as habitat restoration sh stockingof peoplerdquo To fund those efforts the Legis- articial reefs construction and youth sh-lature sets shing license fees and exemp- ing clinicstions as well as penalties for violating sh The FWC encourages all anglers to buy aand wildlife conservation laws State law license (LicenseMyFWCcom) Even if youguarantees money from the sale of share legally exempt you can contribute to theing licenses goes to the FWC and cannot future of our sheries resources by buying abe diverted license and helping the FWC keep your fed-

In 1950 Congressmen Dingell and John- eral tax dollars in Florida to support sportshson at the request of anglers and the shing restorationindustry created the Federal Aid in Sport Recreational shing often is portrayedFish Restoration (SFR) program wherein in advertising because it is an enjoyable


620 South Meridian Street Farris Bryant Building

Tallahassee FL 32399-1600

(850) 488-4676

(800) 955-8771 TDD

Commissioners

Richard A Corbett Chairman Tampa

Brian S Yablonski Vice Chairman Tallahassee

Ronald M Bergeron Ft Lauderdale

Aliese P ldquoLiesardquo Priddy

Immokalee

Adrien ldquoBordquo Rivard

Panama City

Charles W Roberts III Tallahassee

Staff

Nick Wiley

Executive Director

Eric Sutton Assistant Executive Director

Karen VentimigliaDeputy Chief of Staff

Tom ChampeauDirector Freshwater Fisheries Management

FWC regional offices

Northwest Region3911 Highway 2321 Panama City FL 32409-1658850-265-3676

North Central Region3377 East US Highway 90

Lake City FL 32055-8795

386-758-0525

Northeast Region1239 Southwest 10th StreetOcala FL 34471-0323 352-732-1225

Southwest Region3900 Drane Field RoadLakeland FL 33811-1299

863-648-3200

South Region8535 Northlake Boulevard

West Palm Beach FL 33412-3303561-625-5122

HWEST

NORTHEAST

RTH CENTRAL

SOUTHWEST

SOUTH

NORT

NO




Instant Power for your Adventure People that love adventures like to go in style with efcient reliable portable power from a Honda EU Series

Generator Whether yoursquore camping tailgating or RVing you can rely on Honda power for your coffee maker electriclights TV rooftop RV AC unitsdagger and just about anything else thatrsquoll make you feel right at home EU Series Generators areeasy to start produce fewer emissions and are remarkably quiet With 17 generators in our lineup to choose from Hondahas a model thatrsquoll be the right match for your needs Plus theyrsquore covered by our Honda 3-Year Warranty So next time

you go on an adventure donrsquot forget to pack the power

Exceptions apply See full warranty details at hondacom Does not apply to EU1000 models Please read the ownerrsquos manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment and never use in a closed or partly enclosed area where you could be exposed to poisonous carbonmonoxide Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel Consult a qualified electrician copy2014 American Honda Motor Co Inc

Since 1963

Serving our customers with 12 locations

New Port Richey6918 US Hwy 19New Port Richey FL 34652

727-842-8618

Palmetto906 US HWY 301 NorthPalmetto FL 34221

941-722-3281

Fort Myers9501 State Road 82Fort Myers FL 33905

239-332-5045

Immokalee 775 E Main StImmokalee FL 34142

239-657-4413

Leesburg1800 US HWY 441Leesburg FL 34748

352-315-1016

Okeechobee

820 US Hwy 98 NorthOkeechobee FL 34972

863-763-1921

Fort Pierce6150 Orange AveFt Pierce FL 34947

772-461-5568

Loxahatchee13295 Southern BlvdLoxahatchee FL 33470

561-784-4000

Belle GladeCorporate Headquarters2017 N W 16THBelle Glade FL 33430

561-996-6531

Plant City2805 SR 60 WestPlant City FL 33567

813-737-1660

Largo6782 118th Ave NorthLargo Fl 33773

727-259-7748

NaplesComing soonNaples FL

Everglades Farm Equipment and Honda are ready to deliver ldquoInstant Powerrdquo for your adventures Now celebrating 50 years inbusiness we are excited to offer you a $20 Honda Power Equip-

ment ldquoAdventurerdquo credit Go to PowerMeUpEvergladescomregister for a chance to WIN a Honda Generator Plus just for reg-istering you will receive a $20 credit toward any of our high quality

Honda Power Equipment Offer ends 123114

wwwEvergladesFarmEquipmentcom

Also available in ldquoSkinnedrdquo modelsPRO FOOTBALL TEAMS COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL TEAMS NASCAR CAMO

Special orders may be required not all teams and drivers are available



LICENSES

Fishing license requirements and feesLicense permit and issuance fees and exemptions are established by the Legislature In addition to the cost of licenses and permits speci-ed in this section license agents currently charge a 50-cent issuance fee for selling licenses or permits

Licensing requirements follow the species of sh you are shing for regardless of where you are shing For example anglers shingfor and possessing largemouth bass in brackish water need a freshwater license anglers shing for saltwater species in fresh water (egspotted sea trout red drum snook or American shad) need a saltwater license to possess these species An exception is that when shingin fresh water with a freshwater license (or legal exemption) you may take mullet without a saltwater license (seasons and sizes follow thesaltwater shing rules) See 2 for shing license exemptions but remember anyone can buy a license to contribute to conservation

B E

B

Resident Freshwater Fishing Licenses

For purposes of shing in Florida a ldquoresidentrdquo is dened as any person who has declared Florida as his or her only state of residenceas evidenced by a valid Florida driver license or identication card with both a Florida address and a Florida residency veried by theDepartment of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) If the person does not have a Florida driver license or identication cardon record with HSMV a Florida voter information card declaration of domicile or homestead exemption may be used as proof of Floridaresidency Active military personnel stationed in Florida including their spouses and dependent children residing in the household areconsidered residents when purchasing shing licenses

Freshwater Fishing (valid 12 months from specied start date) $1700

Youth Freshwater Fishing (optional for children under the age of 16 and valid until 17th birthday mdash a shing license is not required until age 16) $1700

S T 5-Year Freshwater FishingY

$7900U (valid 5 years from specied start date)

FreshwaterSaltwater Fishing Combo (valid 12 months from specied start date) $3250

Freshwater FishingHunting Combo (valid 12 months from specied start date) $3250

FreshwaterSaltwater FishingHunting Combo (valid 12 months from specied start date) $4800

Resident 64 or Older Sportsmans License includes Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses and WildlifeManagement Area Archery Muzzleloading Gun Crossbow Deer Turkey and Florida Waterfowl permits $1350

(valid 12 months from specied start date)

Sportsmans License includes Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses and Wildlife Management Area Archery Muzzleloading Gun Crossbow Deer Turkey and Florida Waterfowl permits $8050


Gold Sportsmans License includes Hunting Saltwater Fishing and Freshwater Fishing licenses and Wildlife Management Area Archery Muzzleloading Gun Crossbow Deer Turkey Florida Waterfowl Snook

$10000and Lobster permits


Youth Gold Sportsmanrsquos License(optional for children under the age of 16 and valid until 17th birthday mdash a shing license is not required until age 16 mdash hunter safety $10000certicate required mdash includes same licenses and permits as Gold Sportsmanrsquos License)

Military Gold Sportsmans License

(sold only at tax collectors ofce mdash includes same licenses and permits as Gold Sportsmanrsquos License) $2000


5-Year Gold Sportsmanrsquos License(includes Freshwater Fishing Hunting and Saltwater Fishing licenses and Wildlife Management Area Archery Muzzleloading Gun $49400Crossbow Deer Turkey Florida Waterfowl Snook and Lobster permits)

Nonresident Freshwater Fishing Licenses


3-Day Freshwater Fishing (valid 3 consecutive days from specied start date) $1700


Lifetime Licenses (for Florida residents only)

Lifetime licenses are available to Florida residents only Funds generated from sales of these licenses are invested creating an endowmentto support long-term conservation of Floridarsquos sh and wildlife resources Costs of lifetime licenses are less than what would be spent onannual licenses permits and fees and are valid in Florida even if you move out of state Lifetime license holders are also exempt frommost recreational license or permits that may be created in the future

Lifetime Sportsmans License (includes Hunting Freshwater Fishing and Saltwater Fishing licenses Deer WildlifeManagement Area Archery Turkey Muzzleloading Gun Crossbow Florida Waterfowl Snook and Lobster permits)

4 years or younger $40150

5-12 years $70150

13 years and older $100150

Lifetime Freshwater Fishing License


5-12 years $22650

13 years or older $30150




WErsquoVE GOT THE BRANDS

YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE

$10 OFFYOUR NEXT HUNTING FISHING ANDCAMPING PURCHASE OF $50 OR MORE

TAKE

Limit one coupon per customer Minimum purchase of$50 before sales tax Total amount of coupon must beredeemed at one time Cannot be combined with any otheroffers coupons team discounts or Guaranteed In-Stockmarkdown or used for licenses or previously purchasedmerchandise Coupon valid on in-store purchases onlyNot redeemable for cash gift cards or store creditNo reproductions or rain checks accepted Returns orexchanges where a ScoreCard Reward or other discountwas applied may result in an adjusted refund amountExcludes firearms ammunition Shimano St CroixG Loomis Garmin Babolat UnderArmour Marmot Eureka GregoryPatagonia Columbia The North Faceand Burton

Valid 6714 through 33115

P00017547

TO FIND A STORE NEAR YOU 18668190038 | DICKSSPORTINGGOODSCOM



Tips fromtheProsShiners and Structure

DON HATCHER Fishing guide on Lake Istokpoga and local writer (DonHatcherFishingcom)

Lake Istokpoga has become one of the most productive trophy Cast the shiner into the

bass lakes in the country following major habitat enhancement thinned vegetation that I

programs by the FWC Anglers can be extremely productive described before and let

shing this revitalized habitat using shiners if they know what the bait swim with the bailto look for and follow some simple tips Big bass congregate open The idea is for it to

around thinned-out cattail This should be even better after work its way back into the

FWC conducts a prescribed burn in spring 2014 Similarly cover where the big bassbulrush in 5 to 6 feet of water or spatterdock that is not too will be lying in ambush especially on sunny days On a cloudydense both provide great habitat day or around dawn or dusk you may nd the trophy bass

cruising a little further from coverFor shiner shing I use a 75- to 8-foot medium-heavy to heavy

berglass or composite rod with a level-wind bait-casting reel If you are using more than one rod set the clicker to warn you

Since you will be manhandling big bass through vegetation if a bass hits your bait and starts taking line Give it a momentload up with 30-pound big game monolament for our appli- lock the bail and then set the hook hard Get it headed out ofcation braided line oats too much Use a 40 or 50 hook the vegetation and reel fast ensuring that you maintain tensionwith a heavy weed guard for an 8- to 9-inch shiner and hook on the line Do not forget if it is over 8 pounds it is eligible forit through both lips Approximately three feet up from the hook TrophyCatch (See pg 29) so try not to exhaust the sh

add a bobber letting it ght too long Get it to the boat take a full-body photoof your catch on a scale and kiss it goodbye when you let it

swim off and proclaim ldquoMy Trophy Swims in Floridardquo

Freshwater Fly Fishing STEVE KANTNER ldquoThe Land Captainrdquo Long-time guide writer and outdoor communicator (LandCaptaincom)

Freshwater y shing You mean like anglers to cast diaphanous (and more-effective) offerings thaton a Western trout stream Sure fall to the surface with scarcely a ripple The method is deadlywe do that in the Sunshine State I a term eschewed by y shers whorsquod like us to believe they

built a career based on the premise release what they catch Theirs is a ldquoConservationist Thingrdquo

that itrsquos highly effective and easy to and something worth striving forlearn with a little practice

Fly shops and retailers can help choose an outt typically aI guided fly fishing trips from 7- or 8-weight spooled with a oating line The catch phraseEverglades canals to ditches in here is ldquonothing fancyrdquostrip malls Customers caught

tarpon snook largemouths and As far as y patterns one stands above the others the cup-

bluegillsmdashand everything in- faced popper Largemouths assault the larger sizesmdash6 throughbetween What did I learn while 10mdashwhile the smaller versions wreak havoc on pan sh

we ailed away That most sh were hooked within a few feet both natives and exotics including occasionally the butteryof the bank and that the species changed according to season peacock Toss a ldquobugrdquo near the shoreline or emergent vegeta -

tion before beginning a short strip retrieve Although weed

Speaking of seasons here in South Florida we only have two guards are essential for shing around cover I seldom see thema rainy period that stretches from June to October and the on commercially-tied bugsmdashanother reason I make my own

rest of the year which is essentially a drought When the waterstarts dropping usually sometime in December predators are Herersquos the lesson I hope you remember if therersquos a hidden

forced into canals where therersquos more competition Thatrsquos when subtext to freshwater y shing itrsquos that it has lit tle to do withtheyrsquore sitting ducks for a well-placed lure status or image Fly shing in contrast is everymanrsquos sport

and a sure-re way to enjoy explosive actionmdashespecially in

Fly casting differs from spin and plug casting in that the weight of springtime when the water dropsthe line delivers a lure thatrsquos practically weightless This enables




Fishing Contours

PAUL MICHELE National Sales Manager Americas-Navionics (Navionicscom) and Florida Outdoor Writers Association contributor

The key to nding sh is structure and contours This is especially A point that shows fast declining

true in bass shing with changing patterns and depths related contours is more of a feeding

to seasonal migrations With modern technologies Navionics location Bass can move quickly fromoffers maps for electronic plotters and mobile device apps to deep water up onto the shallows

show these bottom contours on most Florida lakes Reading the and attack a bait Contours are alsodetail just takes a little practice Each ldquocontour linerdquo indicates important with vegetation lines If

a change in one foot depth Basically like a step They either bass are holding in a four-foot depthgo up or down and some are closer or farther apart As these along a weed line contours can

linessteps get closer this means a drop-off or a ledge that show you where that four-foot depthwill hold sh The tighterthicker the lines the more dramatic is so you can potentially match thata drop-off A surrounding area that shows depths decreasing with a weed edge for more success

would indicate a deep hole--a great spot for summer sh when

they drop to deeper cooler waters Conversely if the surrounding If you donrsquot own a bass boat orarea shows depths increasing then potentially you are looking electronic GPS but bank sh

at an offshore hump that can hold suspended sh that may be kayak canoe or have a pond

feeding in current as bait goes by or a schooling area on a reef crawler donrsquot fret One can still

take advantage of this informationMany shermen talk about shing points but which ones and with a Navionics mobile app thatwhy With the aid of an electronic chart with contours a point shows the same chart detail on

can be ldquopatternedrdquo In winterspring look for a point that shows your phone Navionics supports the FWC TrophyCatch program

contours that have a lot of space between them This means a (TrophyCatchFloridacom see maps with veried catches) To

shallow sloping at These are areas that sh can use to warm see more examples of what these contours look like pleaseup and may provide a spawning area or pre-spawn staging prior visit httpbitlyNav-tc and check out the online chartsto moving shallower

Swim Baits

ANGIE DOUTHIT Fishing guide on Lake Okeechobee and local writer (SouthFloridaBassFishingcom)

Fishing Floridarsquos freshwater lakes weight to remain against the swim bait at all times) then a

is nothing less than exciting and small 1 frasl 32 oz slip sinker (this allows just enough weight to get

thrilling and provides a fun-lled day that extra long cast when needed and helps keep the swim baitfor the entire Family to enjoy Florida upright as yoursquore cranking it) then your hook I prefer a wide-gapis known as giant bass country and 50 hook You can purchase hooks specically made for swimLake Okeechobee is one of the top baits Setting the hook with these type lures can be tricky andsheries in the country When we is different from your traditional worm shing With swim baitshear someone say Lake Okeechobee it is all about timing Once the bass engulfs the swim baitmdashdowe immediately associate it with not immediately set the hookmdashallow the bass to take the lure

shing thick heavy cover and ldquopower for a few seconds (waiting for the ldquotickrdquo feel) then set the hookshingrdquo Power shing can be very with authority Be prepared when the big bass slams the baitproductive and one very effective it is like hitting a brick wall Hang on and do not allow any slacklure is the swim bait once you start reeling it in

Swim baits are made of a soft but tough plastic-like material When my clients and I submit our catch into the FWCrsquos

that stands up to lots of cranking and reeling bringing it through TrophyCatch program we always remember to handle the bassthe thickest grass Fishing with swim baits can be a little tricky lovingly by putting it in an aerated livewell in between takingbut here are a few tips to get you rigged properly Spool your pictures Be sure to dip your measuring board into the watermedium-fast to fast reel with a minimum of 65 lb-test braided allowing it to cool rst before laying your sh on it for length

line and use a medium-heavy to heavy action rod When rigging measurements When releasing your sh make sure the sh isthe lure rst add a sinker stopper to your line (this allows the good and lively before putting it back into the water

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2014ndash2015 11



METHODS OF TAKING FISH

Game and nongame freshwater fishGame Fish black bass crappie bluegillredear sunsh warmouth redbreast sun-sh spotted sunsh ier mud sunshlongear sunsh shadow bass peacock basswhite bass striped bass and sunshine bass

Nongame Fish all freshwater sh are denedas nongame sh except grass carp and shdened as freshwater game shNote Alligatorgar require a scientic collectorrsquos permit to take

Methods of taking freshwater fishGame sh may only be taken with pole-and-line or rod-and-reel There is no limit on thenumber of rods an angler may use

Freshwater sh may not be taken by useof any free-oating unattached device orby taking of sh or wildlife with rearmsexplosives electricity spear gun poison orother chemicals The taking of sh by under-water swimming or diving is prohibited It isunlawful to sell offer for sale or transport outof the state any freshwater game sh unlessspecically permitted by the FWC exceptthat licensed anglers may transport two daysrsquobag limit of legally harvested game sh

It is illegal to possess any freshwater shalong with gear that cannot legally be usedto take freshwater sh including gear typeslisted above and below for taking nongamesh or bait An exception is game sh may bepossessed together with cast nets having astretched mesh size not greater than 1 inchminnow dip nets not more than 4 feet in diam-eter minnow seines having a stretched meshsize not greater than 1 inch a length not morethan 20 feet and a depth not more than 4 feetand minnow traps not more than 24 inches inlength and 12 inches in diameter with a fun-nel entrance not more than 1 inch in spread

Black bass striped bass and white bassor their hybrids peacock bass or crappieand pansh (for crappie and pansh onlyin waters where minimum-length or slot-sizelimits for these sh apply) may not be lletednor their head or tail n removed until youare done shing for the day

NOTE Statutory provisions (790052(3)FS) made it lawful for persons to own pos-sess and lawfully use rearms and otherweapons ammunition and supplies for lawfulpurposes including shing camping or lawfulhunting or going to or returning from a sh-ing camping or lawful hunting expeditionConsequently although rearms may not beused to take sh they can be in possession ofsomeone with legally taken sh

Nongame fish may be taken With pole-and-line or rod-and-reel and by

bush hook setline or trotline baited with cutbait or other substance but not includinglive game sh or any part of any game shbush hooks setlines or trotlines (limitedto 25 hooks total) are permitted for takingnongame sh for personal use but only inthose areas where trotlines may be law-fully used in accordance with the WildlifeCode of the State of Florida Refer to theldquoCommercial Freshwater Fisheries Rulesand Regulations Summaryrdquo Bush hookssetlines and trotlines must be clearly and

legibly marked with the harvesterrsquos nameand address while being used or possessedin or upon the waters of the state

At night by bow and arrow and gigs During daylight hours by manually oper-

ated spears gigs snatch hooks crossbowor bow and arrow from a boat or from shoreexcept at the spillways of the Eureka andRodman dams on the Oklawaha River oron the spillway of the Jim Woodruff Damon the Apalachicola River or in DadeCounty canals south of the C-4 and eastof the L-31N and L-31W canals inclusively

By the use of cast nets in the South andNortheast regions in Citrus County andin the Southwest Region except that pos-

session or use of cast nets in waters adjoin-ing Saddle Creek Fish Management AreaPolk County conned by Morgan CombeeRoad US Highway 92 and Fish HatcheryRoad are prohibited

Using a bow and light at night Nightbowshing tournaments do not require apermit in the Northwest Region

By netting and impounding at night fromSept 1 to May 1 in specied waters ofNorthwest Florida Nets used to take non-game sh (typically suckers) in these speci-ed waters must be less than 100 feet inlength have a minimum 3-inch stretchedmesh and shall be continuously attendedto ensure immediate release of any trapped

game sh Contact the Northwest Regionalofce for details (Page 6) For personal use by any person possessing

a valid freshwater shing license by theuse of not more than one slat basket or onewire trap made as specied in Rule 68A-23003 FAC and used only in those waterswhere use of wire traps or slat baskets ispermitted for commercial purposes Referto the ldquoCommercial Freshwater FisheriesRules and Regulation Summaryrdquo Passiveshing gear such as slat baskets or wirebaskets must be clearly and legibly markedwith the harvesterrsquos name and addresswhile being used or possessed in or uponwaters of the state

Prohibited gear for takingmarine species in freshwater Spearshing Use of any hand or mechani-

cally propelled single or multi-prongedspear or lance barbed or barbless to harvestor attempt to harvest any marine specieswhile diving in freshwater is prohibited

Spearshing for mullet in fresh water isprohibited however gigging from abovewater is permitted

Methods of taking baitFreshwater shrimp and golden shiners ofany size or other freshwater nongame shincluding catsh less than 8-inches total

License Exemptions You do not need a freshwater fishing license if

You are a child under 16 years of age you are not stationed in this state and

you are home on leave for 30 days or You are a Florida resident age 65 or olderless upon submission of orderspossessing proof of age and residency

or possessing a Resident Senior You have been accepted as a client for

Citizen Hunting and Fishing Certicate developmental disabilities services by the

Residents age 65 or older may obtain Agency for Persons with Disabilities The

at no cost complimentary hunting and agency must furnish proof to such clients

shing certicates from county tax You are shing in a sh pond of 20 acres

collectorsrsquo ofces or less that is located entirely within the

You are a resident who is shing with private property of its owner A sh pond

live or natural bait using poles or lines is a man-made pond constructed for

that are not equipped with a shing-line- the primary purpose of shing entirely

retrieval mechanism and you are shing within the property lines of the owner

for noncommercial purposes in your and with no surface water connection to

home county However you must have a public waters

valid shing license to sh by any method You are shing in a sh pond of 20 acres

in a sh management area This is often or more whose owner has purchasedreferred to as the cane-pole exemption a sh pond license at a fee of $3 per

You freshwater sh in your county of surface acre

residence on your homestead or the You possess a Resident Freshwaterhomestead of your spouse or minor child Commercial Fishing Licenseor if you are a minor child hunting or

freshwater shing on the homestead of You are shing in the St Maryrsquos River or

Lake Seminole (but not including tributaryyour parentcreeks in Florida) and have a valid

You are a Florida resident certied Georgia shing licenseas totally and permanently disabled

You are freshwater shing onand you possess a Florida Resident

License-Free Freshwater Fishing DaysDisabled Person Hunting and Fishingrst weekend in April (April 4ndash5 2015)Certicateand the second weekend in June

You are a resident who is a member of (June 13ndash14 2015)the Armed Forces of the United States




length may be taken for bait by the follow- redear sunsh redbreast sunsh spotteding methods unless specically prohibited sunsh ier warmouth) or parts thereof Cast nets having a stretched mesh size may be used as bait for sportshing by the

not greater than 1 inch in fresh waters of angler who caught them Whole pickerel orthe state unless specically prohibited bream or parts thereof may not be used as

Minnow dip nets not more than 4 feet in bait for trotlines or bush hooks or any methoddiameter other than by rod and reel or pole and line

Minnow seines having a stretched mesh Pansh less than 4 inches in total lengthsize not greater than 1 inch a length not raised by a licensed aquaculture facilitymore than 20 feet and a depth not more may be purchased and used for baitthan 4 feet

Minnow traps not more than 24 inches in ReleaseMovement of fishlength and 12 inches in diameter with a fun- Possession and transport of nonnative shesnel entrance not more than 1 inch in spread is prohibited

Any game sh taken by these methods Northern black bass (Micropterus salmoidesmust be released immediately salmoides) are on the conditional non-native

Taking of bait for the purpose of sale species list Stocking of northern black bassrequires a commercial shing license south and east of the Suwannee River is

prohibited Pure Florida bass (MicropterusUse of fish for bait salmoides oridanus) may only be purchased Black bass peacock bass or any part from permitted hatcheries with pure Florida

thereof may not be used as bait bass stocks authenticated by the FWC (See Live non-native shes (including goldsh MyFWCcomFishing select Freshwater

and carp) may not be used as bait except Fishing then select Pond Management andfor variable platys and fathead minnows Commercial Sources of Fish For details see

Whole pickerel or pansh (eg bluegill Chapter 68-5 FAC at wwwFLrulesorg)

Taking and possession of freshwater musselsCertain families of freshwater mussels may be col-

Sizes indicated are average adultlected for personal use The bag limit for freshwater dimensions for identification

mussels from these families is 10 per person (or purposes only

20 half shells) The possession limit is two days bag

limit (see images to right and FAQ Page 32)

Mussels shall be taken by hand-picking only Use

of brailles crowfoot bars or other mechanical 3 inches 3frac12 inches

methods is prohibited Freshwater mussels live or Florida Shiny Spike Paper Pondshell

dead may not be taken for later sale

Other clams

Species of freshwater mussels from other families such as

the Asian clam have no bag or possession limits1frac12 inches

Protected Sturgeons

The species of sturgeon found in Florida mdash

Atlantic ( Acipenser oxyrinchus) Gulf

(A o desotoi) and shortnose sturgeons

( Acipenser brevirostrum) mdash are protected except as allowed by specic federal or state

both federally and in the state of Florida No permit or authorization People who inadver-

person shall take possess or sell any stur- tently catch one must immediately release it

geon or parts thereof or their nests or eggs alive back to the water

It is illegal to possess grass carp or alligator gar without a permit

Alligator gar are found only in the panhandleTriploid grass carp are used for aquatic rivers and grow to more than 120 poundsvegetation control and may not be stocked Their gatorndashlike snout is distinct Due to theiror harvested without a permit limited numbers harvest is restricted to indi-They grow to over 40 pounds viduals with a valid scientic collectorrsquos permit

Grass carp illustration by Ted Walke Alligator gar by Duane Raver Jr

The most efficient and effective toolmade for removing submerged weeds

Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in

minutesClears a path

48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE

1 Give it a toss2 Let it sink

3 Pull it in

4 Repeat

877-356-6455WeedRazerscom

For advertising inquiries please call

(413) 884-1099

Share your

exciting productor service with the Florida

sporting community

F LORID A F RE SHW AT E R 2014

Search MyF W C on SocialM edia

V alid from July1 2014to June3 02015

Gener al St atew ide F r eshw at er F ishing Reg ulat ionspag es 12ndash14

F lorida Fish and W ildlif eConserv ation Commission

MyFW CcomFishing

MyF WC My F WC My F WCvideos

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission



BAG amp LENGTH LIMITS

Statewide bag and length limits 2 Butterfy peacock bass only one of Lake Kerr including Little Lake Kerr

Special bag and length limits apply to some which may be 17 inches or longer in total Black bass caught from 15 to 24 inches in

lakes rivers (this page) and Fish Manage- length total length must be released immediately

ment Areas (Pages 21 ndash 28) Other fshes

Black bass bag limit is three of which onlyNOTES It is illegal to possess grass carp

considered to be nongame shes have no bag one may be 24 inches or longer in total lengthor alligator gar without a permit these

or possession limits except as noted in indi- fsh must be released immediately (see Wildcat Lake Marion County (Ocalavidual Fish Management Area regulations Page 13) Black bass striped bass and National Forest) Black bass must be

Possession limit is two daysrsquo bag limit It white bass or their hybrids peacock bass or released immediatelyis illegal to transport or possess more than crappie and pansh (for crappie and panshtwo daysrsquo bag limit of sh per licensed angler St Johns River Water Management Area

only in waters where minimum-length orwithout a commercial license Exceptions are (Farm 13 including the Stick Marsh) slot-size limits for these sh apply) may not

sh legally acquired from aquaculturists (sh Indian River and Brevard counties be lleted nor their head or tail n removed

farmers) for use in aquaria for brood stock Black bass must be released immediatelyuntil you are done shing for the day

pond stocking or properly marked for the mar- SN Knight Tract Indian River County

ket No native freshwater sh or their eggs Anglers participating in TrophyCatch who(locally known as Kenansville Lake)

may be taken or possessed except as permit- are in compliance with TrophyCatch rulesBlack bass must be released immediately

ted by these rules nor shall anyone wantonly and fsh handling guidelines may be in

or willfully waste the same temporary possession of one bass 13 pounds Lake Weohyakapka (Walk-in-Water)

or greater over the legal length limit and Polk County Black bass from 15 to 24 5 Black bass (largemouth Suwannee bag limit while waiting for FWC staff certi- inches in total length must be released

spotted and shoal bass individually or in cation The sh must then be live-released immediately Black bass bag limit is threetotal) only one of which may be 22 inches in the water body where it was caught only one of which may be 24 inches in totalor longer in total length length or longer ndash In south Florida (see Page 20 Special bag and length limits

Lake Okeechobee Black bass less thanfor map) only one bass may be 14 See Fish Management Area regulations for 18 inches in total length must be releasedinches in total length or longer bag and length limits for lakes in the Fish

immediately Black bass bag limit is ve ndash South and east of the Suwannee River Management Area system (Pages 21 ndash 28) only one of which may be 22 inches in(see Page 20 for map) black bass Jim Woodruff Reservoir Lake Semi- total length or longer Crappie (speckledless than 14 inches in total length

must be released immediately nole 10 black bass each must be at least 12 perch) less than 10 inches in total lengthmust be released immediately Lake ndash In the Suwannee River (see Page inches or greater in total length 15 striped

20 for map) areas north and west bass white bass and sunshine bass (individ- Okeechobee for purposes of these rules is

of the Suwannee River and in any ually or in total) of which no more than two dened as any point lakeward of a bound-

tributary river creek or stream of may be 22 inches or longer in total length ary line delineated by the following points

30 crappie (speckled perch) in total 50 pan- bull Intersection of St Rd 78 and US 441the Suwannee River black bassless than 12 inches in total length sh (does not include crappie) 15 pickerel bull US 441 SE to St Rd 5 (ldquo80rdquo)

must be released immediately (chain grass and redn) Possession limit bull St Rd 5 (ldquo80rdquo) to St Rd 25 (US 27)

is 50 sh total regardless of species bull St Rd 25 (US 27) to St Rd 78 50 Panfsh including bluegill redear sun- bull St Rd 78 to US 441

fsh (shellcracker) ier longear sunfsh St Marys River and it tributaries 10Including

mud sunsh shadow bass spotted sunsh black bass all of which must be at leastbull Harney Pond Canal (C-41) north of St

(stumpknocker) warmouth and redbreast 12 inches in total length two striped bassRd 78 to South Florida Water Mgmnt

sunsh individually or in total sunshine bass or white bass both of which

District (SFWMD) structure S-71must be at least 22 inches in total length 25 Crappie (speckled perch) bull C-41-A Canal southeast of S-84

30 crappie (speckled perch) 50 total pan-bull Indian Prairie Canal (C-40) north of

20 Striped bass white bass and sunsh (does not include crappie) 15 pickerelSt Rd 78 to SFWMD structure S-72

shine bass (individually or in total) of (chain grass and redn)bull All of Taylor Creek and Nubbin Slough

which only 6 may be 24 inches or longer Lake Talquin Leon and Gadsden in Okeechobee County

in total length counties Black bass bag limit is fve bull C-38Kissimmee River south of ndash In the Suwannee River areas north only one of which may be 22 inches in total SFWMD structure S-65E to St Rd 78

and west of the Suwannee River and length or longer Black bass less than 18 bull All of L-50 Canal in Glades Countyin any tributary creek or stream of inches in total length and crappie less than bull Fisheating Creek to U S 27the Suwannee River the bag limit 10 inches in total length must be released bull All of Sportsmanrsquos Canal (LD-3) infor striped bass is 3 each of which immediately Glades Countymust be at least 18 inches in totallength (20 sh combined bag limit) Lake Jackson Leon County Black bass Lake Trafford (Collier County) Black

bag limit is ve only one of which may be bass less than 18 inches in total length

greater than sixteen inches in total length must be released immediately Black bass

bag limit is ve only one of which may be22 inches in total length or longer

How to measure your catch

Total Length is the straight line distance from

the most forward point of the head with the

mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with

the tail squeezed or compressed Girth is the

circumference around the fattest part of the sh

For a bass weight calculator based on length

and girth visit MyFWCcomBass-Formula

Bass bull Crappie bull Blue Gill bull StripeIn Your Local Stores or Contact Us

800-762-4701 wwwsliderfishingcom

ldquoFinessee Fishing Began Hererdquo

Free Catalog

Measure Girth around the fattest part of the fish

Measure Total Length with mouth closed and tail squeezed toget




geicocom | 1-800-442-9253

See how much you could save on insurance for

your truck motorcycle RV boat and more

Saving people

Moneyon more than justcar insurancereg

Some discounts coverages payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies Boat and PWC coverages are written through Seaworthy Insurance Company

affiliate and through other non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency Motorcycle coverage is underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Companyservice mark of Government Employees Insurance Company Washington DC 20076 a Berkshire Hathaway Inc subsidiary GEICO Gecko image copy 1999-2014 copy 2014 GEICO



FLORIDA FRESHWATER FISH

Florida freshwater shes are divided into game sh that have specic bag and length limits and may only be taken with pole-and-line orrod-and-reel and nongame sh which are all others A license is required to take nongame sh but additional gear types are allowed (seePage 12) Non-native sh are those that do not occur in Florida naturally most should be harvested and never released Exceptions arepeacock bass which is a game sh and triploid grass carp which are stocked for vegetation control (see Page 13) Where applicable staterecord (SR) weights and the Big Catch (BC) qualifying length or weight for adults are provided See Page 29 or MyFWCcomBigCatch formore details including youth qualifying sizes slams specialist master elite angler and the new TrophyCatch angler recognition program

For details on state records and angler recognition programs visit MyFWCcomBigCatch

F i s h

a r t b y D u a n e R a v e r J r a n d

D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H

Largemouth bassSR 1727 lbs BC 2480 lbs

Suwannee BassSR 389 lbs BC 1415 lbs

Shoal bassSR Open 40 lbs BC 1620 lbs

Spotted bassSR 375 lbs BC 1620 lbs

BLACK BASS

CICHLID

Butterfly peacock bassSR 908 lbs BC 1840 lbs

TEMPERATE BASS

Striped bassSR 4225 lbs BC 30120 lbs

White bassSR 469 lbs BC 1525 lbs

Sunshine bassSR 1631 lbs BC 2050 lbs

PANFISH

WarmouthSR 244 lbs BC 905 lb

Redear sunfishSR 486 lbs BC 11125 lbs

Spotted sunfishSR 083 lbs BC 705 lb

Redbreast sunfishSR 208 lbs BC 905 lb

BluegillSR 295 lbs BC 1010 lb

FlierSR 124 lbs BC 805 lb

Black crappieSR 383 lbs BC 1420 lbs

N O N G A M E F

I S H

BOWFIN SHAD PICKEREL amp GAR

Chain pickerelSR 696 lbs BC 2230 lbs

BowfinSR 1900 lbs BC 2880 lbs

American shadSR 519 lbs BC 1830 lbs

Longnose garSR 4100 lbs BC 40150 lbs

FloridaSpotted garSR 944 lbs BC 2840 lbs

CATFISH

Channel catfishSR 4450 lbs BC 25120 lbs

White catfishSR 1888 lbs BC 2250 lbs

Yellow bullheadSR 505 lbs BC 1415 lbs

Brown bullheadSR 702 lbs BC 1620 lbs





N

O N N A T I V E - N O N G A M E F

I S H Flathead catfish

SR 5505 lbs BC 36250 lbs

Jaguar guapoteSR Open 20 lbs BC 1315 lbs

OscarSR 234 lbs BC 11125 lbs

Common carpSR 4056 lbs BC 30200 lbs

Blue catfishSR 6450 lbs BC 36250 lbs

Mayan cichlidSR Open 20 lbs BC 1110 lb

Yellow perchSR 147 lbs BC 12075 lb

Blue tilapiaSR 938 lbs BC 1850 lbs




Balancingscience withpublic opinionto enhance yourfisheries

18 2014ndash2015

The Florida Fish and Wildlife ConservationCommissions (FWC) mission is ldquoManaging

sh and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benet of peoplerdquoTom Champeau Director of the Division ofFreshwater Fisheries Management and hisstaff continue to make excellent progress toachieve this mission by nding innovativeways to combine science-informed manage-ment with public input to enhance your sh-eries Keeping faith with the angling publicthat helped create the Black Bass Manage-ment Plan (BBMP) in 2011 remains a hugepriority for the Division (for details visitMyFWCcomFishing and click Black BassManagement Plan) This article summarizessome key developments last year and plansfor 2014ndash15

Black Bass RegulationsmdashPublic Input Among the issues that were most importantto anglers during creation of the Black BassManagement Plan was the need to re-exam-

ine the current bass regulations Opinionswere split with some anglers feeling morecustomized regulations were important

to optimize bass shing in key systemswhile others felt strongly that rules shouldbe simplied As a result the FWC undertooka reevaluation of bass regulations from both

biological and social perspectivesThe goal that was established is to

provide ldquoOptimal sustainable use ofFloridarsquos bass sheries with an empha-sis on production of high quality andtrophy bassrdquo More specically it wasdetermined that in the future the FWC

should use the least restrictive regula-tions possible to protect trophy bass andmaintain a statewide bass shery with ahealthy population that provides diverseangling opportunities including controlledharvest and high angler satisfaction

The process began with an intensereview of scientic literature dealing withsuccesses and failures of various regulatoryschemes Liberal bag limits with no sizerestrictions minimum or maximum size

limits restrictive harvest limits custom-tslot limits or total catch-and-release wereeach investigated Analyses showed thatin many circumstances regulationsplayed a less signicant role than habitator weather conditions Tagging studiesand other sh population assessmentsrevealed that anglers generally catchfrom 25 to 50 percent of harvestable-sized bass but actually keep less than 10percent which is sustainable However

in specic situations where habitat limita-tions combined with high shing pressureregulations were very important to pro-viding optimal sustained use

To obtain the opinions ofas many anglers as possible representingdiverse backgrounds and shing preferencesthe FWC worked with University of Florida

human dimensions experts to enhance thepublic input process A series of open housemeetings were held in 2013 in conjunctionwith an angler survey More than 4000anglers responded to an on-line survey and anadditional 1300 completed a mail-in survey

Key ndings included scoring variousstatements from one to ve with ve beingldquoStrongly Agreerdquo Some highlights were thatanglers are just as happy if they release bass(432) the more bass they catch the happier(424) and shing where there is a chance tocatch a trophy is important (386)

Consequently the challenge for biologistsand the Commissioners is to balance sciencewith public opinions to provide optimal sus-

tained use lsquoOptimalrsquo is determined by whatanglers want in order to increase their enjoy-ment and participation in recreational sh-ing while lsquosustainedrsquo depends on science toensure that providing a satisfying experiencefor anglers today does not compromise hav-ing quality sheries for the future Finallylsquousersquo can be either legal harvest or catch andrelease

FWC is continuing to synthesize this dataand wants to maintain a two-way dialoguewith anglers so that when the next majorround of changes if any are implemented theyensure quality shing prospering businessesand happy anglers See bitlyBassRegs forupdates

Bass StockingStocking bass can effectively create new sh-eries and re-establish a shery after a majorsh kill FWC hatchery staff developed a newproduction technique to spawn bass out ofseason and raise them on articial feed solarger advanced ngerlings (4-inch) are readyto stock when more abundant prey are avail-able in the spring FWC biologists are evalu-ating survival of advanced-ngerling bassand experimenting with ways to train bassraised in hatcheries to more quickly adapt tolife in the wild

2012ndash13 Largemouth BassRegulation Survey

FWC reached out to

thousands of anglers

in 2012ndash13 More than

4000 anglers responded

to an on-line survey and

an additional 1300

completed a mail-in survey

Freshwater FisheriesConservation Highlights from FWCBob Wattendorf Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission




In 2012ndash13 35 million sh were stockedby the two state freshwater sh hatcheriesin Florida while we anticipate stocking 43million sh in 2013ndash14 Of those 12 millionare largemouth bass the other species include

crappie bluegill redear sunsh channel cat-sh striped bass and sunshine bass

TrophyCatch As an alternative to further regulatinganglers and making it illegal to harvest tro-phy-sized bass TrophyCatch rewards anglersfor voluntarily releasing bass heavier thaneight pounds By requiring documentationto verify the bass weight FWC biologists canalso use data collected by anglers who catchdocument and release these bass as a form ofcitizen-science This information is importantto determine what conservation managementprograms such as habitat restoration vegeta-tion management sh stocking or regula-tory controls are most successful in improvinganglers opportunities to catch trophy bass

TrophyCatch (TrophyCatchFloridacom)launched in October 2012 and is already pro-viding information to document that Florida isthe ldquoBass Fishing Capital of the Worldrdquo whilepromoting catch-and-release of trophy bassDuring its inaugural year some of Trophy-Catchrsquos accomplishments included

Almost 4000 registrants Over $16000 in prizes awarded for indi-

vidual catches Over 150 veried largemouth bass submis-

sions and winners Phoenix bass boat powered by Mercury

(an additional $40000 value) awarded torandom-drawing winner Frank Ay

$10000 from Experience Kissimmeeawarded to Peter Perez for the largest basscaught in Osceola County

TrophyCatch Championrsquos Ring (an addi-tional $3000 value) awarded to Bob Wil-liams for the largest certied TrophyCatchbass 13 lbs 14 oz

Over $70000 in total prizes awarded

For TrophyCatchrsquos second season FWCincreased prizes and simplied submis-sion requirements The largest change in

submitting a bass is that only one photoof the entire sh on a scale with the weight

clearly legible is required However pho-tos of the length girth angler holdingsh and release are also encouraged Fordetails and to register or submit sh visitTrophyCatchFloridacom

Anglers who register for free are instantlyeligible for a drawing in October for a Phoe-nix Bass Boat powered by Mercury andequipped with a Power-Pole anchoring sys-tem For every bass heavier than eight poundsthey submit which is approved for Trophy-Catch they get 10 additional chances at thegrand prize and earn a reward from FWCrsquoscorporate partners that starts with $100 ingift cards (donated by Bass Pro Shops Rapalaandor Dickrsquos Sporting Goods) apparel from

Bass King Clothing a customized certicateand club decal The biggest bass of the yearearns the American Outdoors Fund champi-onship ring and if it happens to be from oneof the major public lakes in Osceola CountyExperience Kissimmee kicks in a $10000prize So be sure to check out the rules andtake a camera and scale with you when yougo bass shing to document your trophy catch

Fellsmere Water Management AreaThe Fellsmere project is about to become thenext Farm-13Stickmarsh when it is oodedin 2015 This 10000-acre parcel of land inIndian River County was purchased by the StJohns River Water Management District andis being converted into a reservoir The FWCworked carefully with the district to sculpt thecontours of the lake plant native vegetationand stock sportsh while enhancing publicaccess To learn more see the Fellsmere videoat YouTubecomTrophyCatchFlorida (or godirectly to bitlyFellsmereYouTube)

The FWC will continue to update you aswe strive to implement the BBMP and useTrophyCatch and other research methods toevaluate our success Please check our web-site MyFWCcomFishing sign up for news-letters and follow us on FaceBook Trophy-Catch is especially active and provides greatinsights into when and where the best shingis (FaceBookcomTrophyCatchFlorida and YouTubecomTrophyCatchFlorida)

Win a $100 Gift CardTake the monthly

And be entered to wina $100 gift certificate to your

sporting good retailer of choice Your anonymous participation advances

fish and wildlife conservation helpsprotect your right to hunt fish and shoot

and guides companies in developingbetter outdoor products

The Deer Camp

We are a Certified Full-Service ArcheryPro Shop HuntingFishing Accessories

amp Fresh Seafood

306 S Main bull Chiefland FL352-490-4868 bull Open daily 10-6

Best prices products amp customer service




FRESHWATER

Black bass fishing zones

Note These are general black bass shing zones See the Specic Fish Management

Area and Special Bag and Length Limit sections (Page 14) for more local rules including

details about Lake Okeechobee

Lee

Northwest (Blue area Waters north and west of the

Suwannee River including its tributaries)Black bass less than 12 inches 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

Central and Northeast

(White area)

Black bass less than 14 inches

total length must be releasedimmediately Black bass bag

limit is five only one of which

may be 22 inches in total

length or longer

South (Green area)

In the St Lucie canal areas east of US

Hwy 441 and south of SR 80 only 1

bass of the five bass daily bag limit may

be 14 inches or longer

Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

Only half of Floridarsquos anglers are required

to buy a license but their license fees

are a vital source of funding for sh and

wildlife conservation

Seniors youths and others who are

exempt can contribute to sh and wildlife

conservation simply by voluntarily buying a

shing license License fees help with sci-

entic management habitat restoration

sh stocking shing and boating access

law enforcement and outreach programs

Each license bought also captures moreFederal Aid in Sportsh Restoration

money and brings tackle and motor boat

fuel taxes home to Florida

The new youth license (Page 8) can

be purchased for any age youth It is good

until they are 17 years old It is a way for

them to take pride in being an angler learn

about conservation and help Florida obtain

more dollars for Sport Fish Restoration

In addition when you buy your license

you may make a voluntary donation to

youth shing and hunting programs in

Florida (LicenseMyFWCcom)

Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)

on cell phones dial FWC or

FWC or at MyFWCcomLaw

Report fishing boatingor hunting lawviolations

Help Protect

Photo courtesy of TakeMeFishingorg




FMA REGULATIONS

traps trotlines or setlines is prohibited Watercraft shall be allowed only as autho-unless specically authorized by rules rized by the City of Tallahasseeestablished for a particular Fish Manage- Access is prohibited from sunset untilment Area sunrise

5 Persons entering or leaving Fish Manage- Use or possession of cast nets or minnowment Areas that have designated entry seines is prohibitedpoints shall enter or leave only at such No motor vehicles on dams spillways anddesignated points shing ngers

6 Any vehicle boat or other transportationdevice may be searched while in entering Lake Victor Holmes County open to shingor leaving a Fish Management Area Gasoline motors may not be used on boats

7 Fish Management Areas may be temporar- Channel catsh bag limit 6ily closed to accommodate management No motor vehicles on dams spillways andprojects (eg drawdowns) or if unsafe shing ngersconditions exist or as otherwise specied

Regulations for Fish in a specic Fish Management Area rule Merrittrsquos Mill Pond Jackson County open to shing

Management Areas 8 Intentional release of wildlife or fresh- The taking of sh and wildlife with rieswater sh on Fish Management Areas is is prohibited

1 A shing license is required for residents prohibited Gigs are prohibitedfrom 16 to 64 years of age and for nonresi- Trotlines may be useddents 16 or more years of age to sh by Northwest Region Redear sunsh (shellcracker) bag limit 10any method including cane poles on a Fish (see map on Page 6 for regions) Redear sunsh less than 10 inches in totalManagement Area Refer to Fishing License Juniper Bay Lake Walton County open to shing length must be released immediatelyFees for exemptions (Pages 8 and 12) Channel catsh bag limit 6 No bag limit for channel catsh

2 The possession of shing tackle is prohib-ited on any Fish Management Area that is Lake Piney Z Leon County open to shing Hurricane Lake Okaloosa County open to shing closed to shing Black bass must be released immediately Gasoline motors may not be used on boats

3 Bag limits and methods of taking fresh- Pansh bag limit 20 Channel catsh bag limit 6water sh apply except as provided for a Channel catsh bag limit 6 No motor vehicles on dams spillways andparticular Fish Management Area Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife shing ngers

4 The possession of nets (other than legal with rearms or possession of alcoholicminnow seines cast nets or dip nets) sh beverages are prohibited (Continued on Page 22 )

wwweRegulationscom

Need to KnowOn the Go

The Florida FreshwaterFishing Regulations are

now available online through

your mobile devices




FMA REGULATIONS (Continued from Page 21 )

Karick Lake Okaloosa County open to shing Hanna Park ponds Duval County open to sh- Black bass less than 16 inches in total Gasoline motors may not be used on boats ing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 length must be released immediately Channel catsh bag limit 6 minutes after sunset No motor vehicles on dams spillways and Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Camp Blanding area Clay County Open to sh-

shing ngers Taking of sh or wildlife with rearms or ing Magnolia and Lowry Lakes will be open topossession of alcoholic beverages and use shing on days and times determined by Camp

Lake Stone Escambia County open to shing of cast nets are prohibited Blanding Post Commander Openings may be Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Pansh bag limit 20 changed at discretion of Post Commander to Channel catsh bag limit 6 Channel catsh bag limit 6 accommodate military training All anglers No motor vehicles on dams spillways and Black bass less than 16 inches in total will be required to check into and out of area

shing ngers length must be released immediately at a manned check station Guns are prohibited for taking of sh or

Bear Lake Santa Rosa County open to shing Pope Duval East and West ponds Duval County wildlife except during designated hunt- Gasoline motors may not be used on boats open to shing from 30 minutes before sunrise ing seasons for Camp Blanding Wildlife Channel catsh bag limit 6 until 30 minutes after sunset Management Area No motor vehicles on dams spillways and Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Boat launching permitted only at desig-

shing ngers Swimming taking of sh or wildlife with nated areasrearms or possession of alcoholic bever- Camping is prohibited

Joe Budd Pond Gadsden County Closed ages and use of cast nets are prohibited During periods closed to hunting vehiclesto shing except as authorized by permit Pansh bag limit 20 may be operated only on roads to desig-for Commission-sanctioned events (see Channel catsh bag limit 6 nated access areasMyFWCcomFishing for details) Open to sh- Black bass less than 16 inches in total Use of all-terrain vehicles is prohibiteding during daylight hours on Saturdays and length must be released immediately All watercraft shall be operated at idleSundays during July August and September speed onlyor as specied by order of the Executive Di- Bethesda Pond Duval County open to sh- Channel catsh bag limit 6rector ing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 No motor vehicles on dams spillways and minutes after sunset Alligator Lake Columbia County open to shing

shing ngers Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Fishing is prohibited in Ponderosa Pond Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Swimming taking of sh or wildlife with except for authorized groups permitted by Pansh bag limit 20 rearms or possession of alcoholic bever- FWC Channel catsh bag limit 6 ages and use of cast nets are prohibited Channel catsh bag limit 6 Sunshine bass bag limit 10 Pansh bag limit 20 Black bass less than 16 inches in total Channel catsh bag limit 6 Eagle Lake Hamilton County open to sh-

length must be released immediately Black bass less than 16 inches in total ing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30length must be released immediately minutes after sunset

North Central Region Gasoline motors may not be used on boats(see map on Page 6 for regions) Huguenot Pond Duval County open to sh- Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife withSt Augustine Road ponds (North and South) ing from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 rearms are prohibitedDuval County open to shing from 30 minutes minutes after sunset Channel catsh bag limit 6before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Swimming taking of sh or wildlife with Ronnie Vanzant Park Clay County open to Swimming taking of sh or wildlife with rearms or possession of alcoholic bever- shing from 30 minutes before sunrise until

rearms or possession of alcoholic beverages and use of cast nets are prohibited 30 minutes after sunsetages and use of cast nets are prohibited Pansh bag limit 20 Boats or any oating vessel apparatus are

Pansh bag limit 20 Channel catsh bag limit 6 prohibited Channel catsh bag limit 6 Black bass less than 16 inches in total No swimming or camping Black bass less than 16 inches in total length must be released immediately No person 16 years of age or older shall sh

length must be released immediately unless accompanied by an angler less thanCrystal Springs Park Duval County open to 16 years of age

Baymeadows Duval County open to shing shing from 30 minutes before sunrise until Fishing permitted only with hook and linefrom 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 min- 30 minutes after sunset or rod and reelutes after sunset No person between the ages of 16 years Nets are prohibited except for dip nets Gasoline motors may not be used on boats and 64 years shall sh unless accompa- Black bass less than 16 inches in total Swimming taking of sh or wildlife with nied by an angler less than 16 years of length must be released immediately

rearms possession of alcoholic beverages age by an angler 65 years of age or older Pansh bag limit 20or use of cast nets is prohibited by angler who has been certied by the Channel catsh bag limit 6

Pansh bag limit 20 US Veterans Administration US Social Channel catsh bag limit 6 Security Administration by any branch of Lake Lochloosa including Tadpole and Lochloosa

Black bass less than 16 inches in total the US Armed Services or by a licensed creeks Orange Lake including Orange Lakelength must be released immediately physician in this State to be totally and proper and waters south and east of CR 346

permanently disabled and has obtained a and west of US Highway 301 and Cross Creek

Oceanway Pond Duval County open to shing permanent license issued pursuant to Sec- Alachua and Marion counties open to shingfrom 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes tion 379352(5) FS or by an angler with Black bass 15 inches or more in total lengthafter sunset proof of acceptance as a client for develop- and less than 24 inches must be released Gasoline motors may not be used on boats mental services by the Agency for Persons immediately Swimming taking of sh or wildlife with with Disabilities Black bass bag limit 3 of which only 1 may

rearms or possession of alcoholic bever- Swimming taking of sh or wildlife with be over 24 inchesages and use of cast nets are prohibited rearms or possession of alcoholic bever- No bag limit for channel catsh

Pansh bag limit 20 ages and use of cast nets are prohibited Trotlines having a gallon-sized plastic oat Channel catsh bag limit 6 Boats are prohibited at each end may be used provided that Black bass less than 16 inches in total Pansh bag limit 20 such lines are sunk to the bottom or to a

length must be released immediately Channel catsh bag limit 6 minimum depth of 4 feet




FMA REGULATIONS

Newnans Lake Alachua County open to shing Black bass less than 16 inches in total Taking of sh or wildlife with rearms is Trotlines having a gallon-sized plastic oat length must be released immediately prohibited except by written permission

at each end may be used provided that Crappie bag limit 10 of the landownersuch lines are sunk to the bottom or to a Crappie less than 10 inches in total lengthminimum depth of 4 feet must be released immediately Northeast Region

No bag limit for channel catsh Pansh bag limit 20 (see map on Page 6 for regions) Channel catsh bag limit 6 East Lake Tohopekaliga Osceola County open

Suwannee Lake Suwannee County open to to shingshing Watertown Lake Columbia County open to No bag limit for channel catsh No camping shing Minnow lift nets and trotlines may be used No motor vehicles on dam and shing ngers Taking of sh or wildlife with rearms is Taking of sh or wildlife with rearms prohibited Lake Jackson Osceola County open to shing

or possession of alcoholic beverages is Watercraft shall be operated only at idle Cast nets minnow lift nets and minnowprohibited speed before 10 am and after 4 pm daily seines are prohibited

Access to the area from 30 minutes after Black bass less than 16 inches in total Black bass must be released immediatelysunset until 30 minutes before sunrise for length must be released immediately Crappie less than 12 inches in total lengthany use other than shing and launching Crappie bag limit 10 must be released immediatelyand loading of boats is prohibited Crappie less than 10 inches in total length No bag limit for channel catsh

Black bass less than 18 inches in total must be released immediatelylength must be released immediately Pansh bag limit 20 Lake Marian Osceola County open to shing

Crappie less than 10 inches in total length Channel catsh bag limit 6 No bag limit for channel catshmust be released immediately Minnow lift nets sh traps and trotlines

No bag limit for channel catsh Lang Lake Hamilton County open to shing may be usedfrom 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 min-

Koon Lake Lafayette County open to shing utes after sunset Lakes Tohopekaliga (West Lake Tohopekaliga) Taking of sh or wildlife with rearms is Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Cypress Hatchineha and Kissimmee Osceola

prohibited Pansh bag limit 20 and Polk counties open to shing No bag limit for channel catsh Channel catsh bag limit 6 No bag limit for channel catsh

Black bass less than 18 inches in total Minnow lift nets sh traps and trotlinesMontgomery Lake Columbia County open to length must be released immediately may be usedshing Crappie less than 10 inches in total length Boats are restricted to idle speed ndash no wake must be released immediately (Continued on Page 24 )

Downloadthe FREEBoatUSTowing App

BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU

KNOW and the average cost

of towing service is around $600But with Unlimited Towing from

TowBoatUS when you need

assistance on the water all

you need for payment is your

BoatUS Membership card

Just show the card and wersquoll

get you on your way in no time

Call or go onlinetoday to join

1-800-888-4869BoatUScomtowingUnlimited towing details and exclusions can be found online at BoatUScomtowing or by calling

Unlimited Towing just $149

TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER

i i iFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2014ndash2015 23




Lake Panasoffkee Sumter County open to shing beverages are prohibited Channel catsh less than 30 inches in total Trotlines may be used Pansh bag limit 20 length must be released immediately No bag limit for channel catsh Channel catsh bag limit 6 Black bass must be released immediately

Cast nets are prohibitedChain of Lakes Lake County (Cook Winona Clear Lake Orange County open to shingPalatlakaha Crescent Louisa Minnehaha Hi- Lake Santiago in Demetree Park Swimming and taking of sh or wildlifeawatha Minneola Wilson Susan and Cherry) Orange County open to shing with rearms or possession of alcoholicopen to shing Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife beverages are prohibited Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9 am with rearms or possession of alcoholic Cast nets are prohibited No bag limit for channel catsh beverages are prohibited Channel catsh bag limit 6

Boats are prohibitedLake Griffin Lake County open to shing Pansh bag limit 20 Lake Lawne Orange County open to shing Trotlines are prohibited from 9 am Friday Channel catsh bag limit 6 Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife

until one hour before sunset on Sunday Cast nets are prohibited with rearms or possession of alcoholic Trotlines are also prohibited from 9 am beverages are prohibited

until one hour before sunset Monday Hal-Scott Lake Orange County open to shing Cast nets are prohibitedthrough Thursday from May 1 through Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife Channel catsh bag limit 6Oct 31 with rearms or possession of alcoholic

No trotline may be secured to or shed beverages are prohibited Starke Lake Orange County open to shingwithin 50 yards of a private pier or dock Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibited

No bag limit for channel catsh Cast nets are prohibited No bag limit for channel catsh Black crappie less than 10 inches in total Pansh bag limit 20

length must be released immediately Channel catsh bag limit 6 Turkey Lake Orange County open to shing Black bass must be released immediately Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife

Pellicer Pond Flagler County open to shing with rearms or possession of alcoholic Channel catsh bag limit 6 Bear Creek Park Orange County open to shing beverages are prohibited

Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife Cast nets are prohibitedLake Dias Volusia County open to shing with rearms or possession of alcoholic Pansh bag limit 20 No bag limit for channel catsh beverages are prohibited Channel catsh bag limit 6

Cast nets are prohibited Black bass must be released immediatelyFox Lake Brevard County open to shing Pansh bag limit 20 Except for sanctioned events gasoline No airboats for shing or frogging Channel catsh bag limit 6 motors may not be used on boats No bag limit for channel catsh

Shadow Bay Park Orange County open to shing Lake Underhill Orange County open to shingSouth Lake Brevard County open to shing Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife No airboats for shing or frogging with rearms or possession of alcoholic with rearms or possession of alcoholic Trotlines may be used beverages are prohibited beverages are prohibited No bag limit for channel catsh Cast nets are prohibited Cast nets are prohibited

Bluegill bag limit 5 Pansh bag limit 20Lake Ivanhoe Orange County open to shing Bluegill less than 12 inches in total length Channel catsh bag limit 6 Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife must be released immediately Black bass must be released immediately

with rearms or possession of alcoholic Channel catsh bag limit 1

Fishing and Basic Boating Skills Camps

The FWC is aggressively combating the resources so they can benet from a healthy

tendency for todayrsquos youth to disconnect from active connection with nature

nature and the outdoors through the FloridaThis unique program utilizes partners to expand

Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCCN)the reach and cost-effectiveness of the camp

A major part of this initiative is expandingconcept developed by the FWC Plans are to

ldquoFishing and Basic Boating Skills Campsrdquo (Fishestablish at least one Fish Camp in each of

Camps) throughout the state Kids spend largeFloridarsquos 67 counties there are currently just

blocks of time indoors with digital media andunder 20 camp locations scattered around Flor-

electronic devices which isnrsquot all bad but they Fish Camps are fun and exciting for kids butida The core project was developed and tested

need to balance that with an active outdoor what they learn will ultimately help them

using Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration (SFR)lifestyle They need to get real A great way to live happier and healthier lives and becomefunds Implementing the program also depends

encourage that is to put a rod and reel in their advocates for sustaining our environmentalon donations from anglers who voluntarily con-

hands resources Your contributions to ldquoYouthtribute when buying their shing licenses FWC

Hunting and Fishing Programsrdquo when you pur-Fish Camps for youth ages 9ndash15 combine assists cooperators with startup costs for new

chase a license are the driving force behindthe teaching and practical application of camp locations and trains non-FWC trainers to

these camps and along with our corporatebasic and advanced angling skills with basic conduct the camps FWC staff also assist with

partners and matching SFR funds will helpboating skills A sheries biologist provides evaluating camps to ensure positive impacts on

more kids enjoy the experience Together wea sh identication and anatomy demonstra- campersrsquo environmental concern shing skills

are ldquoCreating the Next Generation that Caresrdquotion and a law enforcement ofcer provides a and long-term participation To locate a camp

boating safety demonstration The goal of Fish or if you know of a group interested in starting

Camp is to establish individuals as life-long the camp at a new location contact FYCCN at

anglers and stewards of aquatic and sheries FYCCNmyfwccom




FMA REGULATIONS

Secret Lake Seminole County open to shing Black bass must be released immediately and less than 24 inches in total length must Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife Crappie bag limit 10 be released immediately

with rearms or possession of alcoholic Crappie less than 10 inches in total length Black bass bag limit 3beverages are prohibited must be released immediately Channel catsh bag limit 6

Personal watercraft are prohibited Pansh bag limit 20 Cast nets are prohibited Channel catsh bag limit 6 Lakes Tohopekaliga (West Lake Tohopekaliga) Pansh bag limit 20 Cypress Hatchineha and Kissimmee) Polk and

Channel catsh bag limit 6 Gadsden Park Pond Hillsborough County open Osceola counties open to shing Black bass must be released immediately to shing No bag limit for channel catsh

Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibited Minnow lift nets sh traps and trotlinesLake Blue Cypress Indian River County open Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife may be usedto shing with rearms are prohibited Trotlines may be used Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Manatee Lake Manatee County open to shing No bag limit for channel catsh Black bass must be released immediately Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9

Crappie bag limit 10 am Sunday through ThursdaySouthwest Region Crappie less than 10 inches in total length Outboard motors more than 20 hp may(see map on Page 6 for regions) must be released immediately not be usedLake Tarpon Pinellas County open to shing Pansh bag limit 20 No bag limit for channel catsh Trotlines may be used from sunset until Channel catsh bag limit 6

9 am Sunday through Thursday Edward Medard Park Reservoir Hillsborough

No bag limit for channel catsh Lake Thonotosassa Hillsborough County open County open to shingto shing Black bass bag limit 5 only one of which

Lake Seminole Pinellas County open to shing Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9 may be 16 inches in total length or longer Trotlines may be used from sunset until am Sunday through Thursday No person shall use any gear other than

9 am No bag limit for channel catsh hook and line or rod and reel to take and No bag limit for channel catsh possess game sh and nongame sh species

Lake Parker Polk County open to shing Persons possessing a valid freshwater com-Bobby Hicks Park Pond Hillsborough County Wire traps may be used for nongame sh mercial shing license may use cast nets toopen to shing No bag limit for channel catsh catch nongame sh other than channel catsh Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibited from 1201 AM Tuesday to 1201 AM Friday Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife with Saddle Creek Park Polk County open to shing Days and hours of operation park entrance

rearms are prohibited Cast nets are prohibited and other user fees shall be designated by Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Black bass 15 inches or more in total length

(Continued on Page 26 )

Policies subject to limits and exclusions

No matter where you boat and fish the BoatUSANGLER Insurance program protects the thingsimportant to you

For a free quote call866-532-1829mention priority code 4877

BoatUSAnglercom


Agreed Value coverage

Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

Fishing equipment coverage

Optional fishing guide coverage

On Water Towing amp Roadside Assistance

For your Boat amp EquipmentINSURANCE COVERAGE





Hillsborough County and posted at the must check in and out at the Tenoroc Fish Fish may not be lleted nor their headpark main entrance Management Area headquarters and or tail ns removed until the angler has

deposit their valid fishing or hunting checked out at the area headquartersWebb Lake Charlotte County open to shing license with the custodian unless other- Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibitedduring posted hours wise instructed Permitted alligator hunt No person shall have any gun under his Gasoline motors may not be used on boats participants are exempt from the require- her control while under the inuence of Pansh bag limit 20 ment to enter at designated points alcohol or drugs Channel catsh bag limit 6 Days and hours of operation and quotas Public access is prohibited in areas posted Bluegill and redear sunsh less than 8 shall be as designated by the FWC and as ldquoRestrictedrdquo for protection of threatened

inches in total length must be released posted at area headquarters (currently Fri- or endangered species or environmentallyimmediately day through Monday only) Quotas will be sensitive areas

Black bass must be released immediately established for each lake and shing is per- Motor vehicles may be operated only on Vehicles may be used only on designated mitted in designated lakes only Lakes may named roads designated parking areas

roads be closed to public access for management and shing ramps as designated in the areapurposes or if access to the lake exposes use brochure

Marl Pits 1 and 3 Charlotte County open to the public to danger by posting notice at Vehicles may not obstruct designatedshing the Tenoroc check station ofce Quotas for roads boat ramps gates or re lanes Pansh bag limit 20 open lakes may be temporarily increased to Swimming and oat tubes are prohibited Bluegill and redear sunsh less than 8 accommodate anglers during times when

inches in total length must be released other lakes are closed due to management Regulations for Tenoroc lakes are as follows

immediately construction projects road repair unsafe Lakes A Butterfly C F Fish Hook G Half-Moon Channel catsh bag limit 6 access or special recreational events Horseshoe Hydrilla Legs Lost Lake East Lost Black bass must be released immediately Discharge of rearms is limited to the FWC Lake West Tern 2 3 and 4 (primitive launch

ring range or at FWC sponsored events only on Butterfly F Fish Hook G Half-MoonMarl Pit 2 Charlotte County open to shing All dogs must be leashed except as autho- Lost Lake East Lost Lake West and Tern) Bluegill and redear sunsh less than 10 rized by FWC

Gasoline motors may not be used on boatsinches must be released immediately Bluegill and redear sunsh combined bag Unless otherwise specified Tenoroc FMA Lakes B and 5

limit 10 harvest restrictions are Boats are restricted to idle speed ndash no wake

Channel catsh bag limit 6 Crappie bag limit 10 Black bass 15 inches in total length or

Black bass must be released immediately Crappie less than 10 inches in total length longer must be released immediatelymust be released immediately

Black bass bag limit 2Tenoroc Fish Management Area Polk County Sunshine bass bag limit 6 Fishing hunting or trapping is allowed only Channel catsh bag limit 6 Picnic Lake

by FWC permit All anglers and hunters Black bass must be released immediately Gasoline motors may not be used on boats

Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration mdash A legacy of success

How often do you see people generations It has been the best thing for from $5 million two years previously) Theor businesses wanting to be

anglers since shing reels were invented rest went to saltwater sheries In freshwater

the FWC uses this money to improve sheriestaxed and happy about it Today SFR uses a small excise tax on sh-

habitat stock sh conduct research anding reels and other shing tackle as well

manage sh populations We also conductIn 1937 President Franklin D Roosevelt as a motor boat fuel tax to fund sport sh

aquatic education programs and provide valu-signed the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration restoration and boating access programs

able shing and conservation tips to anglersAct This Act has been key to implementing It is working There are now at least 77 percent

the North American Model of Wildlife Con- more anglers than in 1950 Purchases of

servation (see MyFWCcom) Between 1941 tax-related items by anglers have increased by

and 1950 sport-shing businesses paid a nearly 200 percent in dollars (adjusted for the

federal excise tax that was deposited in the consumer-price index) since 1955

general treasury of the United States but didAnglers and shing businesses want to know

not directly benet manufacturers or anglers the benets they receive in return To helpIn 1950 sportsmen and businesses teamed answer this Andrew Loftus Consulting and

with conservation-minded policy makers to Southwick Associates analyzed data onredirect these existing federal excise taxes to

excise taxes invested shing participationthe Restoration Program (aka SFR Dingell- and angler purchases of excise-tax relatedJohnson or Wallop-Breaux) products for a 2011 report to the Associa-

The concept was to restore sportsh population of Fish and Wildlife Agencies The report

tions and improve public access so more found that excise-tax related return-on-

people can enjoy shing and so shing investment ranged from 1585 percent in

sales would increase SFR came about as a 1970 to 2643 percent in 1980

result of anglers wanting to see more moneyIn Florida alone SFR provided $11 million

directed toward restoring the nationrsquos recre-in 2013 of which 15 percent ($18 million)

ational sheries and ensuring better shing Your purchase of shing equipment and motorwent to boating access Freshwater sheriesopportunities for themselves and future boat fuels supports Sport Fish Restoration and

conservation received $45 million (downboating access facilities




Black bass bag limit 2 Pansh bag limit 20 Black bass 15 inches in total length or Anglers may keep no more than 5 bluegill

longer must be released immediately and redear sunsh 8 inches or longer intotal length per day

Pine (formerly East and West Pasture Lakes)and Derby Lakes Check online regulations at Lake Crago bitlyFLFWRegs for possible changes Largemouth bass crappie and sunshine Boats may not be used bass statewide size and bag limits apply Closed to shing unless authorized by Wire traps may be used for nongame sh

FWC permit for agency-sanctioned events Trotlines may be used from sunset until 9except for anglers who have been certi- amed by the US Veterans Administration No bag limit for channel catshUS Social Security Administration by a Boats are restricted to idle speed ndash nobranch of the US Armed Services or by wakea licensed Florida physician to be totallyand permanently disabled and has obtained Freedom Lake Park Pinellas County open toa permanent license issued pursuant to shing373561 (5)(b)FS or unless that person Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibitedpresents proof of acceptance as a client for Black bass must be released immediatelydevelopmental disabilities services by the Pansh bag limit 20 Agency for Persons with Disabilities One Channel catsh bag limit 6properly licensed person may sh if accom- Swimming and taking of sh or wildlifepanying or assisting a permitted individual with rearms or possession of alcoholicas described above beverages are prohibited

Other than anglers described above no one16 years or older shall sh on Pine or Derby Dover District Park Lake Hillsborough County lakes unless accompanied by a child under open to shing16 years of age Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibited

Pansh bag limit 20 Black bass must be released immediately Anglers may keep no more than 5 bluegill Pansh bag limit 20

and redear sunsh 8 inches or longer in Channel catsh bag limit 6total length per day Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife

with rearms or possession of alcoholicCemetery Lake beverages are prohibited Boats may not be used

FMA REGULATIONS

Steven J Wortham Park Lake Hillsborough

County open to shing Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibited Black bass must be released immediately Pansh bag limit 20 Channel catsh bag limit 6 Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife

with rearms or possession of alcoholicbeverages are prohibited

Al Lopez Park Lake Hillsborough County opento shing Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibited Black bass must be released immediately Pansh bag limit 20 Channel catsh bag limit 6


Make Hunting amp FishingDreams Come True

Hunt of a Lifetime is anonprofit organization

that grants hunting andfishing dreams to childrenage 21 and under whohave been diagnosed withlife threatening illnesses

If you are interested in helping a child live theirdream please contact us for more information

Toll Free 8663454455 HuntofaLifetimeorg




Swimming and taking of sh or wildlifewith rearms are prohibited

Largo Central Park Nature Preserve PinellasCounty open to shing Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibited Swimming taking of sh or wildlife with

rearms and possession of alcoholic bever-ages are prohibited

Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Black bass must be released immediately Crappie daily bag limit 10 Crappie less than 10 inches in total length

must be released immediately Pansh daily bag limit 20 Channel catsh daily bag limit 6

Walsingham Park Lake Pinellas County opento shing Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibited Black bass must be released immediately Swimming and taking of sh or wildlife


Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Pansh bag limit 20 Crappie less than 10 inches in total length

must be released immediately Sunshine bass bag limit 4 Sunshine bass less than 10 inches in total

length must be released immediately Channel catsh bag limit 6 Crappie bag limit 10

Middle Lake Pasco County open to shing Watercraft shall be operated at idle

speed only The following are prohibited within 150

feet of the boat launch site swimmingtaking of sh or wildlife with rearmscamping or open res

Pansh bag limit 20 Bluegill and redear sunsh less than 8

inches in total length must be releasedimmediately

Crappie bag limit 10 Crappie less than 10 inches in total length

must be released immediately

Lake Istokpoga Highlands County open toshing No bag limit for channel catsh Black bass 15 inches or more in total length

and less than 24 inches must be releasedimmediately

Black bass bag limit 3 Only 1 black bass may be 24 inches or

greater in total length

Nongame sh may be taken by cast netsdip nets seines trotlines set lines bushhooks and wire traps Refer to the FloridaCommercial Freshwater Fisheries brochure

Mosaic Fish Management Area (formerly Cargill

Fort Meade Mine) Polk and Hardee counties open to shing Fishing is allowed only by daily permit

issued by the FWC All anglers must check in and out at the

Mosaic creel station the designated entrypoint unless otherwise instructed

Days and hours of operation and quotas shallbe as designated by the FWC and posted atthe Mosaic creel station (typically Mosaicis open Friday through Monday) Fishingis permitted in designated lakes only Allother lakes and restricted areas so postedare closed to public shing Any lake may betemporarily closed to public access for man-agement purposes or in the event that accessto the lake exposes the public to danger byposting notice at the creel station

Unless otherwise specified Mosaic FMA harvest

restrictions are Black bass must be released immediately Sunshine bass bag limit 6 Crappie bag limit 10 Crappie less than 10 inches in total length

must be released immediately Channel catsh bag limit 6 Fish may not be lleted nor their heads

or tail ns removed until the angler haschecked out at the Mosaic creel stationDisposal of sh remains within Mosaicproperty is prohibited

Taking of sh and wildlife with guns isprohibited

Motor vehicles may be operated only ondesignated roads parking areas and boatramps

Vehicles may not obstruct designatedroads boat ramps gates or re lanes

Swimming and oat tubes are prohibited Rough sh may be removed from desig-

nated lakes by cast nets and minnow seinesby permission of the landowner

Outboard motors more than 10 hp maynot be used

Regulations for individual Mosaic FMA lakes

are as follows Haul Road Pit Black bass 15 inches in total length or lon-

ger must be released immediately Black bass bag limit 2

Long Pond (LP2 West) No boats permitted

Hardee County Park Hardee County open toshing All anglers shall enter at the Park main

entrance the designated entry pointunless otherwise instructed

Angling from a boat is allowed by entrypass issued by Hardee County

Angling from shore does not require anentry pass unless otherwise posted at thePark main entrance

Days and hours of operation and quotasfor freshwater shing are posted at thePark main entrance Fishing is permittedin designated lakes only Any lake may beclosed to public access by Hardee Countyfor management purposes or in the eventthat access to the lake exposes the publicto danger by posting notice at the Parkmain entrance

Black bass must be released immediately Sunshine bass bag limit 6 Pansh bag limit 20 Crappie bag limit 10 Crappie less than 10 inches in total length

must be released immediately Channel catsh bag limit 6 Fish may not be lleted nor their head or

tail n removed until the angler has leftthe Park Disposal of sh remains withinHardee County Park is prohibited



Vehicles may not obstruct designated roadsboat ramps and re lanes

Swimming and oat tubes are prohibited Watercraft are restricted to idle speed ndash

no wake

South Region(see map on Page 6 for regions)Palm Lake St Lucie County open to shing Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Channel catsh bag limit 6

Caloosa Park Lake Palm Beach County opento shing Black bass must be released immediately Pansh bag limit 20 Channel catsh bag limit 6 Bluegill and redear sunsh less than 8


Lake Okeeheelee Palm Beach County opento shing Gasoline motors may not be used on boats Black bass must be released immediately Pansh bag limit 20 Channel catsh bag limit 6 Bluegill and redear sunsh less than 8


The northern-most Tropical Park Lake Miami-Dade County open to shing Black bass must be released immediately Pansh bag limit 20 Channel catsh bag limit 6 Bluegill and redear sunsh less than 8


Plantation Heritage Park Lake Broward County open to shing Black bass must be released immediately Pansh bag limit 20 Channel catsh bag limit 6 Bluegill and redear sunsh less than 8


Obtain licenseprivileges 24hours a day

Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)




Angler Recognition Programs

TrophyCatchLargemouth Bass

Floridarsquos newest incentive-based conserva-tion programndashTrophyCatch provides valuablerewards to anglers who document and releaselargemouth bass over eight pounds Bass legallycaught from any public or private waters withinFlorida are eligible Go to TrophyCatchFloridacom for details on how to register and submityour catches While you donrsquot have to registerbefore you catch a trophy bass visiting thewebsite is a great way to learn how to submityour trophy bass catches to earn rewards

TrophyCatch Reward Levels Lunker Club over $100 value for bass

80 to 99 pounds Trophy Club over $150 value for bass

100 to 129 pounds Hall of Fame over $1000 value for bass

over 13 pounds

Typical entries require a photo of the entire sh(head to tail) on a scale with the weight legibleor published results verifying a tournamentdocumented catch To learn more and registervisit TrophyCatchFloridacom Be sure to likeus on FaceBookcomTrophyCatchFlorida andat YouTubecomTrophyCatchFlorida

Big Catch33 Freshwater Fishes

The ldquoBig Catchrdquo Angler Recognition Programrewards anglers who catch a memorable-sizedsh Big Catch includes 33 species of fresh-water shes Pages 16 ndash 17 illustrate thespecies included and qualifying sizes Anglersreceive a colorful citation and their photo willbe posted on the website

An angler catching ve ldquoBigrdquo sh of thesame species will be recognized as a ldquoSpe-cialistrdquo sh of ve different species makesa ldquoMaster Anglerrdquo and 10 different speciesan ldquoElite Anglerrdquo A youth citation is givento an angler under age 16 for catching slightlysmaller sh (see MyFWCcomBigCatch forspecic sizes)

Also available are several challengingldquoSlamrdquo certicates ldquoBass Slamrdquo (for catchinga largemouth bass spotted bass shoal bassand Suwannee bass within one year) ldquoBreamSlamrdquo (for catching any four of bluegillredear sunsh spotted sunsh warmouthredbreast sunsh or ier in one day) anda unique south Florida ldquoExotic Slamrdquo (forcatching a buttery peacock Mayan cichlidand oscar in one day)

State Records33 Freshwater Fishes

To be listed as a state record there are severalrequirements The same 33 species recognizedas Big Catch are eligible Pages 16 ndash 17 illustrate the species and state record as ofMay 2014 First the sh must be weighedon a certied scale Second the sh mustbe identied to species by an FWC biologistThird the sh must have been legally caughtby a licensed or legally exempt angler inwaters where access and shing gear werelegal Fourth the signed documents must benotarized

If you catch a possible state record call yournearest regional ofce (see Page 6)

On February 12 2014 Dade City resident RichardClinton caught the new state record brown bullheadHe contacted FWC and a biologist certied the shwhich weighed 702 pounds and was 2225 inchesin length with a girth of 155 inches It was just afew ounces shy of the world record




ADVISORIES

Fish consumption advisories for freshwater anglersFloridarsquos freshwater and marine shes are generally considered safe to eat The American Heart Association recommends eating two meals of sh or

seafood every week though eating certain sh can be unhealthy as they can accumulate mercury and other contaminants from their environment

Mercury poses little danger at the low to moderate levels found in most Florida sh However developing fetuses and young children are more sensi -

tive to the harmful effects mercury has on the brain As a result women of childbearing age and young children should eat sh with lower mercury

levels By choosing a variety of sh both low in mercury and from different water bodies anglers can enjoy the health benets without signicant risk

Count all fish meals from all water bodies A sh meal is 6 ounces of cooked sh Fish eaten from differentsources count toward the consumption guidelines and should beadded together

Mercury questions and answers Where does mercury come from Natural sources of mercury come from things like volcanoes andforest res Most man-made sources come from burning of fossilfuels and waste incineration

How does mercury get into shMercury is found in virtually all water bodies in the state Naturallyoccurring bacteria convert it into a form called methyl mercurywhich accumulates in tiny organisms eaten by sh Fish may con-tain different levels of contaminants based on what they eat andtheir location size and age

Can I trim or cook sh to get rid of mercuryNo Mercury accumulates in the muscle tissue of sh Thereforetrimming excess fat and skinning do not reduce the amount of mer-cury you consume

How do I choose which sh to eatSmall short-lived species of sh are generally lower in mercuryFreshwater sh such as sunsh (eg bluegill redear sunsh red-breast sunsh or spotted sunsh) and brown bullhead are usuallylower in mercury Marine sh such as mullet snappers pompano

ounder and dolphin are also typically low in mercury For guidanceon choosing sh to eat from restaurants grocery stores or that youcaught please visit the Department of Health Seafood Consumptionweb page at bitlyEatSeafood or contact DOH at 850-245-4401 orphtoxicologydohstateus

For more informationCheck the FWC Web site researchMyFWCcomMercury orbitlyFishAdvice

ldquoYour Guide To Eating FishCaught In Floridardquo

Fish and shellsh have been tested for mercury and othercontaminants in many Florida waters For detailed location and

species information the Florida Department of Health (DOH)

website offers specic consumption advice for both freshwater

and marine sh bitlyGuideToEatingFish or call DOH at

850-245-4401

Basic guidelines for eating freshwater fishThe following Basic Eating Guidelines provide general advice to anglers from all untested fresh waters in the state For more detailed

guidance for all untested fresh waters consult the Florida Department of Health publication Basic Guidelines for Eating Freshwater Fish

(bitlyFreshwaterAdvice) or call 850-245-4401

Eat 1 meal per week of these fish with very low mercury

Bluegill Redear sunfish Brown bullhead

Women of childbearing age amp young children

Eat 1 meal per month of these fish with low mercury

Black crappie Channel catsh White catsh Redbreast sunsh Spotted sunsh 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 shing zone and from certain other areas They

should avoid eating bown and gar For specic location guidelines for black bass and other species not listed here see Your Guide to

Eating Fish Caught in Florida at bitlyGuideToEatingFish

Eat 2 meals per week of these fish with very low mercury

Women not planning to be pregnant amp men

Bluegill Redear sunfish Redbreast sunfish Brown bullhead

Eat 1 meal per week of these fish with low mercury

Black crappie Channel catsh White catsh Spotted sunsh 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

shing zone and from certain other areas Avoid eating bown and gar For specic location guidelines for black bass and other species

not listed here see Your Guide to Eating Fish Caught in Florida at bitlyGuideToEatingFish






FAQ

Frequently answered questions

Do I need a freshwater or saltwater shing license or bothIn general you need a freshwater license to take freshwater sh anda saltwater license to take saltwater sh unless one of the exemp -tions specied on Page 8 applies If you are shing in fresh waterwhere no saltwater species live you need a freshwater license andlikewise if you are shing in the ocean or Gulf you need a saltwaterlicense However when you get into estuarine areas where salt and

fresh water mix and sh of both types can be found the issue becomesless clear The interpretation of the rule is

You need either a freshwater saltwater or combination license orappropriate exemption to take sh (take is legally dened as takingattempting to take pursuing molesting capturing or killing anysh or their nests or eggs by any means whether or not such actionsresult in obtaining possession of such sh or their nests or eggs) Ifyou are using species-specic gear your license should be appropriate(eg freshwater or saltwater) to the species you are targeting Oth-erwise you need an appropriate type license to keep your catch andmust immediately release any species for which you are not licensedLicense requirements follow the species of sh regardless of wherethey are caught For example if you only have a freshwater licenseand are primarily shing for largemouth bass or bream (freshwaterspecies) in a river but happen to catch a red drum (a saltwater spe -cies) you must immediately release the red drum An exception is

you may take mullet from fresh water with only a freshwater shinglicense even though they are normally considered a saltwater species

What regulations apply to frogs There are no seasons bag or sizelimits for frogs and a recreational license is not needed To sell frogs ortake frogs to sell a commercial sh dealers license is required Frogsmay be taken in accordance with 68A-26002 Florida AdministrativeCode (FAC) including use of gigs mdash provided gigs are not specicallyprohibited in the area

What regulations apply to freshwater craysh There are noseasons gear bag or size limits for freshwater craysh and neithera recreational nor commercial license is needed It is illegal to takeFloridarsquos imperiled craysh (Panama City Sims Sink and BlackCreek crayshes) and all cave-inhabiting craysh

What regulations apply to freshwater turtles Licenses andpermits are not required to take a recreational bag limit of turtlesin accordance with rules provided below Turtles may be taken byhook and line net or hand

Freshwater turtles taken from the wild may not be sold but fresh-water turtles raised on aquaculture facilities or purchased fromlicensed vendors can be sold There is a take and transportationlimit of one (1) turtle per person unless the individual transportingthe turtles has a receipt indicating the purchase date quantity andspecies of turtles acquired and the name and address of supplierSnapping turtles cooters and map turtles may not be taken fromthe wild Additionally alligator snapping turtles Suwannee cootersand Barbourrsquos map turtles may not be possessed without a Class IIINo-Cost Personal Pet Permit and then only if they were obtainedprior to July 20 2009

The following species have a possession limit of two loggerheadmusk turtles box turtles Escambia map turtles and Diamondback ter-rapins Turtle eggs may not be possessed without a permit Red-earedsliders may not be possessed without a conditional species permit

Taking cooters Escambia map turtles and snapping turtles fromthe wild is prohibited because of similarity to Suwannee cootersBarbourrsquos map turtles and alligator snapping turtles respectively Forall other freshwater turtles take is l imited to one turtle per personper day from the wild for noncommercial use Freshwater turtles onlycan be taken by hand dip net minnow seine or baited hook Manyfreshwater turtles may be taken year-round but softshell turtles maynot be taken from the wild from May 1 to July 31 In addition col -lecting of freshwater turtle eggs is prohibited You may transport nomore than one turtle at a time unless you have proof that all turtleswere purchased legally and an importationtemporary possessionpermit (LicenseMyFWCcom) from the FWC or a valid AquacultureCerticate of Registration from the Florida Department of Agricultureand Consumer Services (FDACS FloridaAquaculturecom)

Red-eared sliders may be harvested without a permit but not pos-sessed alive without a conditional species permit Those in possessionof a valid Aquaculture Certicate of Registration and restricted spe-cies authorization from the FDACS (FloridaAquaculturecom) mayculture and sell red-eared sliders but only to out-of-state recipientsor Floridians who have a valid conditional species permit Howevercertied turtle farmers that buy red-eared sliders for direct retailsale must have a conditional species permit The application for aconditional species permit is at LicenseMyFWCcom Rules subjectto change see FLrulesorg for the latest

What regulations apply to clams mussels and other mollusksRegulations governing taking and possession of freshwater musselsare covered by 68A-23015 FAC In summary ldquoTakingrdquo live or deadfreshwater mussels for the purpose of sale as well as ldquosellingrdquo isprohibited Bag Limit No person shall take more than 10 freshwatermussels or 20 half-shells of the families Unionidae and Margaritiferi-dae per day Additionally no person may possess more than twodaysrsquo bag limit (20 individual 40 half-shells) of any mussels of thesefamilies Any deviation requires a permit from the Executive Direc-tor in accordance with 68A-9002 FAC (see illustrations Page 13)

Freshwater mussels from families other than the two mentionedabove such as Asian clams may be taken for bait or personal useNo recreational license is needed

Mussels may only be taken by ldquohand-pickingrdquo Use of braillescrowfoot bars or other mechanical methods is prohibited

What regulations apply to harvesting sh for home aquariaRules and regulations for recreational take and possession apply Youcannot be in possession nor may your aquarium contain more thanthese limits Legal methods of collecting and license requirements alsoapply You need a freshwater shing license to take (dened as ldquotak-ing attempting to take pursuing hunting molesting capturing orkilling any freshwater sh their nests or eggs by any means whetheror not such actions result in obtaining possession of such freshwatersh or their nests or eggsrdquo) Avoid taking Floridarsquos endangered spe-cies A list of them can be found at MyFWCcomWildlifeHabitats

How do I use total length and girth to estimate bass weightWhen you donrsquot have a scale you can use total length and girth to geta rough estimate of a bassrsquo weight See the gure on Page 14 for how tomeasure total length and girth then use the following formula TotalLength (in inches) squared times girth (in inches) divided by 1200For example a 22 long bass with a girth of 15 would weigh about61 pounds (22 x 22 x 15 1200 = 61) See MyFWCcomBass-Formula for an online calculator

What is the penalty for shing without a license keeping toomany sh or illegal sized sh Generally noncriminal infractionsinvolve license or permit violations or motor size issues Second-degree misdemeanors are criminal acts and typically involve takingsh it is illegal to take shing in areas that are closed using illegalgear and size or bag limit violations Failure to pay a noncriminalpenalty (similar to a trafc ticket) within 30 days escalates the chargeto a second-degree misdemeanor Forgery of a license or use of a forgedlicense is a third-degree felony Florida Statutes (37941) outlinethe range of penalties for instance a second-degree misdemeanoris punishable by up to $500 andor 60 days imprisonment at thediscretion of the court

What is the economic value of freshwater shing in Florida Although the value of recreational sheries extends far beyond itseconomic impact it is important to note that Floridarsquos famed sheriescontinue to be a major job creator and to attract millions of tourists

Southwick Associates published ldquoSportshing in America AnEconomic Force for Conservation 2013rdquo for the American Sportshing Association This report documents that Florida ranked No 1 with 31million anglers Floridarsquos role as the shing destination for travelerswas reafrmed with 2 million nonresident anglers visiting the stateThe ripple effect of these dollars was an $87 billion economic impactfrom Floridarsquos recreational sheries that supported 80211 jobs

Specic to freshwater in 2011 Florida had 12 million anglers Theyenjoyed 257 million days shing spending almost a billion dollarsand generating an economic impact of $17 billion which supportedmore than 14000 jobs




WHERE FISHING STORIES

ARENrsquoT EXAGGERATEDLake C ounty Central F l or idarsquos

premier f ishing dest inationFor those looking to earn bragging rights with a

prized trophy fish book a trip to Lake County

With five of the top 10 lakes in Florida

for both size and number of bass itrsquos

no wonder Lake County has become a

hotspot for anglers of all skill levels

To plan your next fishing trip call

352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris

Lake GriffinJohns Lake



RECKL983109S983123

BOATERSARE M983105YH983109983117

LOCAL AGENT I 8 66- 414-BOAT I A LLSTATECOM

Many of the fun-loving maniacs out there donrsquot even have insuranceAn Allstate Agent can help make sure someone elsersquos mistake doesnrsquotsink your summer From your boat to your RV to your truck protectyourself from Mayhem with Allstate

BUNDLE







CONTENTS



























From FWC

Web Site MyFWCcom




for the future




1-888-404-FWCC (3922) on cell




TipMyFWCcom









transaction












FWC rulesare in

chapter 68

On the cover






















P h o t o C


G i b s o n























endorsement by FWC




Graphic Design












INTRODUCTION








(850) 488-4676

(800) 955-8771 TDD

Commissioners





Immokalee


Panama City


Staff

Nick Wiley

Executive Director








386-758-0525



863-648-3200



HWEST

NORTHEAST

RTH CENTRAL

SOUTHWEST

SOUTH

NORT

NO








Since 1963



727-842-8618


941-722-3281


239-332-5045


239-657-4413


352-315-1016

Okeechobee


863-763-1921


772-461-5568


561-784-4000


561-996-6531


813-737-1660


727-259-7748










LICENSES


Licensing requirements follow the species of sh you are shing for regardless of where you are shing For example anglers shingfor and possessing largemouth bass in brackish water need a freshwater license anglers shing for saltwater species in fresh water (egspotted sea trout red drum snook or American shad) need a saltwater license to possess these species An exception is that when shingin fresh water with a freshwater license (or legal exemption) you may take mullet without a saltwater license (seasons and sizes follow thesaltwater shing rules) See Page 12 for shing license exemptions but remember anyone can buy a license to contribute to conservation

B E

B






























5-12 years $70150




5-12 years $22650






YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE


TAKE



P00017547


































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits



















































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing























spotted and shoal bass individually or in cation The sh must then be live-released immediately Black bass bag limit is threetotal) only one of which may be 22 inches in the water body where it was caught only one of which may be 24 inches in totalor longer in total length length or longer ndash In south Florida (see 0 Special bag and length limits



































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE





CONTENTS



























From FWC

Web Site MyFWCcom




for the future




1-888-404-FWCC (3922) on cell




TipMyFWCcom









transaction












FWC rulesare in

chapter 68

On the cover






















P h o t o C


G i b s o n























endorsement by FWC




Graphic Design












INTRODUCTION








(850) 488-4676

(800) 955-8771 TDD

Commissioners





Immokalee


Panama City


Staff

Nick Wiley

Executive Director








386-758-0525



863-648-3200



HWEST

NORTHEAST

RTH CENTRAL

SOUTHWEST

SOUTH

NORT

NO








Since 1963



727-842-8618


941-722-3281


239-332-5045


239-657-4413


352-315-1016

Okeechobee


863-763-1921


772-461-5568


561-784-4000


561-996-6531


813-737-1660


727-259-7748










LICENSES



B E

B






























5-12 years $70150




5-12 years $22650






YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE


TAKE



P00017547


































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits














































































limit (see images to right and FAQ 2)





Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



CONTENTS



























From FWC

Web Site MyFWCcom




for the future




1-888-404-FWCC (3922) on cell




TipMyFWCcom









transaction












FWC rulesare in

chapter 68

On the cover






















P h o t o C


G i b s o n























endorsement by FWC




Graphic Design












INTRODUCTION








(850) 488-4676

(800) 955-8771 TDD

Commissioners





Immokalee


Panama City


Staff

Nick Wiley

Executive Director








386-758-0525



863-648-3200



HWEST

NORTHEAST

RTH CENTRAL

SOUTHWEST

SOUTH

NORT

NO








Since 1963



727-842-8618


941-722-3281


239-332-5045


239-657-4413


352-315-1016

Okeechobee


863-763-1921


772-461-5568


561-784-4000


561-996-6531


813-737-1660


727-259-7748










LICENSES



B E

B






























5-12 years $70150




5-12 years $22650






YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE


TAKE



P00017547


































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits



















































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE




















P h o t o C


G i b s o n























endorsement by FWC




Graphic Design












INTRODUCTION








(850) 488-4676

(800) 955-8771 TDD

Commissioners





Immokalee


Panama City


Staff

Nick Wiley

Executive Director








386-758-0525



863-648-3200



HWEST

NORTHEAST

RTH CENTRAL

SOUTHWEST

SOUTH

NORT

NO








Since 1963



727-842-8618


941-722-3281


239-332-5045


239-657-4413


352-315-1016

Okeechobee


863-763-1921


772-461-5568


561-784-4000


561-996-6531


813-737-1660


727-259-7748










LICENSES



B E

B






























5-12 years $70150




5-12 years $22650






YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE


TAKE



P00017547


































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits



















































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE












P h o t o C


G i b s o n























endorsement by FWC




Graphic Design












INTRODUCTION








(850) 488-4676

(800) 955-8771 TDD

Commissioners





Immokalee


Panama City


Staff

Nick Wiley

Executive Director








386-758-0525



863-648-3200



HWEST

NORTHEAST

RTH CENTRAL

SOUTHWEST

SOUTH

NORT

NO








Since 1963



727-842-8618


941-722-3281


239-332-5045


239-657-4413


352-315-1016

Okeechobee


863-763-1921


772-461-5568


561-784-4000


561-996-6531


813-737-1660


727-259-7748










LICENSES



B E

B






























5-12 years $70150




5-12 years $22650






YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE


TAKE



P00017547


































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits





























game sh Contact the Northwest Regionalofce for details () For personal use by any person possessing






















































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE





INTRODUCTION








(850) 488-4676

(800) 955-8771 TDD

Commissioners





Immokalee


Panama City


Staff

Nick Wiley

Executive Director








386-758-0525



863-648-3200



HWEST

NORTHEAST

RTH CENTRAL

SOUTHWEST

SOUTH

NORT

NO








Since 1963



727-842-8618


941-722-3281


239-332-5045


239-657-4413


352-315-1016

Okeechobee


863-763-1921


772-461-5568


561-784-4000


561-996-6531


813-737-1660


727-259-7748










LICENSES



B E

B






























5-12 years $70150




5-12 years $22650






YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE


TAKE



P00017547


































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits



















































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



INTRODUCTION








(850) 488-4676

(800) 955-8771 TDD

Commissioners





Immokalee


Panama City


Staff

Nick Wiley

Executive Director








386-758-0525



863-648-3200



HWEST

NORTHEAST

RTH CENTRAL

SOUTHWEST

SOUTH

NORT

NO








Since 1963



727-842-8618


941-722-3281


239-332-5045


239-657-4413


352-315-1016

Okeechobee


863-763-1921


772-461-5568


561-784-4000


561-996-6531


813-737-1660


727-259-7748










LICENSES



B E

B






























5-12 years $70150




5-12 years $22650






YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE


TAKE



P00017547


































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits



















































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow















The new youth license () can










Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE







Since 1963



727-842-8618


941-722-3281


239-332-5045


239-657-4413


352-315-1016

Okeechobee


863-763-1921


772-461-5568


561-784-4000


561-996-6531


813-737-1660


727-259-7748










LICENSES



B E

B






























5-12 years $70150




5-12 years $22650






YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE


TAKE



P00017547


































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits



















































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



LICENSES



B E

B






























5-12 years $70150




5-12 years $22650






YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE


TAKE



P00017547


































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits



















































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE




YOU TRUST FOR THE

SPORT YOU LOVE


TAKE



P00017547


































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits



















































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE

































Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits



















































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people







Florida freshwater shes are divided into game sh that have specic bag and length limits and may only be taken with pole-and-line orrod-and-reel and nongame sh which are all others A license is required to take nongame sh but additional gear types are allowed (see) Non-native sh are those that do not occur in Florida naturally most should be harvested and never released Exceptions arepeacock bass which is a game sh and triploid grass carp which are stocked for vegetation control (see Page 13) Where applicable staterecord (SR) weights and the Big Catch (BC) qualifying length or weight for adults are provided See Page 29 or MyFWCcomBigCatch formore details including youth qualifying sizes slams specialist master elite angler and the new TrophyCatch angler recognition program


F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



Fishing Contours
















Swim Baits



















































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing












or possession limits except as noted in indi- fsh must be released immediately (see Wildcat Lake Marion County (Ocalavidual Fish Management Area regulations ) Black bass striped bass and National Forest) Black bass must be














































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE










































































Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER



Area and Special Bag and Length Limit sections () for more local rules including


Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE























Other clams



Protected Sturgeons












Clears your

lake or pond

weeds in


48rdquo wide

Returns weed-

free

USING THE WEED

RAZER IS SIMPLE


3 Pull it in

4 Repeat



(413) 884-1099

Share your


sporting community






MyFW CcomFishing


























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE
























































Free Catalog






geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



geicocom | 1-800-442-9253



Saving people









F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE






F i s h


D i a n e

R

P e e b l e s

G A M E F I S H





BLACK BASS

CICHLID


TEMPERATE BASS




PANFISH








N O N G A M E F

I S H







CATFISH









N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE




N















18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE




18 2014ndash2015




















FWC reached out to





an additional 1300





























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE


























The Deer Camp


amp Fresh Seafood






FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices




FMA REGULATIONS (Continued from )


























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



FRESHWATER





Lee






(White area)





length or longer

South (Green area)





Make sure there are

fish for tomorrow

























Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)




Help Protect





FMA REGULATIONS










4 The possession of nets (other than legal with rearms or possession of alcoholicminnow seines cast nets or dip nets) sh beverages are prohibited (Continued on )

wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



FMA REGULATIONS











wwweRegulationscom




your mobile devices






























FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE





























FMA REGULATIONS












Black bass less than 18 inches in total Minnow lift nets sh traps and trotlinesMontgomery Lake Columbia County open to length must be released immediately may be usedshing Crappie less than 10 inches in total length Boats are restricted to idle speed ndash no wake must be released immediately (Continued on )


BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



FMA REGULATIONS














BREAKDOWNS HAPPEN

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU












TAKE US WITH YOU

ON THE WATER













































FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE












































FMA REGULATIONS













(Continued on )




BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



FMA REGULATIONS

















BoatUSAnglercom



Broad cruising area

Tournament coverage

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156

983156



























































FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE






















































FMA REGULATIONS





(Continued on )






























































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE











FMA REGULATIONS



































































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE

























































no wake











Go FishNOW

MyFWCcomLicense or

888-FISH FLORIDA

(888-347-4356)










over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE









over 13 pounds













ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



ADVISORIES


















850-245-4401


























FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE





FAQ


































352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE












352-742-3918

Lake Eustis

Lake Dora

Lake Harris




RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE



RECKL983109S983123




BUNDLE

2014-15 Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations

Documents

Transcript of 2014-15 Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations