December 15, 2019
By Florida Sportsman Editor
SW Florida spotted seatrout remains catch-and-release through May 31
Spotted seatrout will remain catch-and-release through May 31, 2020, in waters from the Hernando/Pasco county line south through Gordon Pass in Collier County. This includes all waters of Tampa Bay. Red drum and snook are also included in these red tide-related catch-and-release measures.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved several rule changes for spotted seatrout at its December Commission meeting that will go into effect across the state Feb. 1, 2020, but these new rule changes do not replace the current catch-and-release only measures in southwest Florida.
Spotted seatrout will remain catch-and-release only in that region through May 31, 2020, even after the new statewide regulations go into effect Feb. 1.
The Commission plans to discuss the catch-and-release measures for southwest Florida at its February meeting and may consider reopening snook early.
Learn more about spotted seatrout, including the new regulations, by visiting MyFWC.com/Marine and clicking on “Recreational Regulations” and “Spotted Seatrout.”
