New snook regulations come to Florida

Florida’s Department of Fish Wildlife and Conservation implemented new snook fishing regulations this year that have already taken place. The new regulations break down the state snook fishery into nine distinct fishing regions with their own regulations.

FWC Habitat coordinator and biological administrator Mathew Kenworthy says the regulation change is partly in an effort to better understand and serve specific areas within the state and any issues specific anglers may have with their home fishery.

Differences in habitat and fishing pressure all lead to differences and proliferation of species along Florida’s coast. The overall snook stock assessment is very positive in Florida, but FWC wants anglers to know they hear and are addressing the concerns from local anglers in these specific regions.

This change marks the first time snook regulations are broken into more than two regions, but marks the second time FWC has tried this strategy overall. In 2022 redfish regulations were broken up to represent similar areas in a similar way as the snook regions. The department cited toxic algae blooms and other factors as reasons for the redfish change. The new management system now allows FWC to respond faster and more proactively when responding to issues within these regions without needing an executive order.

Kenworthy went on to say the department is considering similar regulations like these for other inshore sportfish going forward. They will reassess this decision after a few years, when more data is available. 

The Annual reviews of each region will be key for anglers to stay informed to the data that FWC is using to manage each region. 

Snook regulations have an important history in the conservation of the species in Florida. The fish were considered severely depleted in 1985. Regulation changes including the banning of commercial harvest and sale and the snook stamp increased snook numbers and the overall size of individuals.

Below are the nine new snook regions and their individual regulations and seasons. For any more questions make sure and check out FLorida FWC’s website.

New snook regions and regulations starting this year

Panhandle region:

The western boundary is located at the Florida-Alabama border and the region extends to the eastern coastal boundary at 84°20.800ꞌ West Longitude in Franklin County near Alligator Point. Includes all inland waters of the counties named and colored yellow on the map. Does not include all waters of the Ochlockonee Bay, the Ochlockonee River and its tributaries.

Closed Season: December 1­­ – end of February, and May 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Big Bend region:

The western coastal boundary is located at 84°20.800ꞌ West Longitude in Franklin County near Alligator Point. The region extends east and south to Fred Howard Park, near the border of Pasco and Pinellas counties. Includes all waters of the Ochlockonee, Withlacoochee, and Anclote rivers and their tributaries. This region also includes all inland waters of the counties named and colored yellow on the map.

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Tampa Bay region:

The northern coastal boundary is located at Fred Howard Park, near the border of Pasco and Pinellas counties and the region extends south to State Road 64 in Manatee County. Includes all inland waters of the area colored yellow on the map. Includes all waters of the Alafia, Braden, Manatee, and Hillsborough rivers and their tributaries. Does not include the waters of Palma Sola Bay and all waters of the Anclote River and its tributaries.  

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Sarasota Bay region:

The northern coastal boundary is located at State Road 64 in Manatee County and the region extends south to 27°04.727’ North Latitude, near the Venice Municipal Airport. Includes all waters of Palma Sola Bay, Phillippi Creek, Cow Pen Slough Canal and Curry Creek. Includes all inland waters of the area colored yellow on the map. Does not include the waters of the Braden and Manatee rivers.

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Charlotte Harbor region:

The northern coastal boundary is located at 27°04.727’ North Latitude, near the Venice Municipal Airport, and the region extends south to 26°15.227’ North Latitude, near Vanderbilt Beach Rd in Collier County. Includes all inland waters of the area colored yellow on the map. Includes all waters of the Caloosahatchee, Myakka, and Peace rivers and their tributaries. Does not include Lake Okeechobee.

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – September 30

Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Southwest region:

The northern boundary is located at 26°15.227’ North Latitude, near Vanderbilt Beach Rd in Collier County, and the region extends through the Florida Keys to the Monroe/Miami-Dade county line. Includes all inland waters of the area colored yellow on the map and all waters of Everglades National Park.

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1  September 30

Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Southeast region:

The northern boundary is the Martin-Palm Beach county line and the region extends south to the Miami-Dade/Monroe county line. Includes all inland waters of the area colored yellow on the map. Includes all waters of Hillsboro Canal, Miami Canal, North New River Canal, and West Palm Beach Canal, and the Loxahatchee River and its tributaries. Does not include Lake Okeechobee and Everglades National Park.  

Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Closed Season: December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 32” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Indian River Lagoon region:

The northern coastal boundary is located at Lytle Avenue/South Causeway in New Smyrna Beach and the region extends south to the Martin-Palm Beach county line. Includes all inland waters of the area colored yellow on the map, and all waters of the Kissimmee River, Lake Okeechobee and other lakes identified on the map with blue hatches. Does not include the waters of Loxahatchee and St. Johns rivers and their tributaries.

Closed Season: December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 32” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Northeast region:

The northern coastal boundary is located at the Florida-Georgia border and the region extends south to the Lytle Avenue/South Causeway in New Smyrna Beach. Includes all inland waters of the area colored yellow on the map, and the waters of the St. Johns River and its tributaries. Does not include the waters of the Withlacoochee and Kissimmee rivers, Cypress Lake, and lakes Hatchineha and Kissimmee.

Closed Season: December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 32” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Now let’s go fishing. We’ll bring the snook bait.

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