A temporary closure to the recreational harvest of bonefish and tarpon from Florida waters ends on April 1. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order on Jan. 16, which established statewide closed seasons for bonefish and tarpon as a precautionary measure due to the prolonged cold weather in Florida this past winter. This order expires April 1.
The minimum size limit for bonefish is 18 inches total length, and anglers may take one bonefish daily. Anglers may use hook-and-line gear only to harvest bonefish and may not harvest bonefish commercially.
Anglers who possess and attach a $50 tag to the fish may harvest up to two tarpon from state waters daily. Anglers cannot legally harvest tarpon from state waters by spearing, snagging or snatch hooking, and they may not sell tarpon.
Even though the FWC is again allowing the harvest of bonefish and tarpon, the agency encourages anglers to enjoy catching and releasing these important Florida game fish species and to handle and release these fish carefully to help ensure their survival. Information regarding proper handling and release of fish is available online at
http://catchandrelease.org/Catch_and_Release_web.pdf.
