SW Florida Catch-and-Release Measures

Spotted seatrout is catch-and-release only in state and federal waters from the Hernando/Pasco county line south to Gordon Pass in Collier County through May 31, 2021.

This is a proactive change to conserve spotted seatrout impacted by the prolonged red tide in southwest Florida. While these species need additional time to recover, the red tide that was impacting southwest Florida has subsided.

These catch-and-release measures remain in effect through May 31, 2021, and are not replaced by the statewide regulations changes that went into effect Feb. 1, 2020.

Similar measures are in place for red drum and snook.