http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/

http://www.highlandscvb.com/

http://www.highlandscvb.com/

http://www.highlandscvb.com/

http://www.highlandscvb.com/

http://visithighlandscounty.com

JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

Prohibited gear for taking
marine species in freshwater
■ Spearfishing: Use of any hand or mechanically
propelled, single or multi-pronged
spear or lance, barbed or barbless, to
harvest or attempt to harvest any marine
species while diving in freshwater is
prohibited.
■ Spearfishing for mullet in fresh water is
prohibited.
Methods of taking bait
Freshwater shrimp and golden shiners of any
size, or other freshwater nongame fish, including
catfish, less than 8 inches total length
may be taken for bait, unless specifically
prohibited by the following methods:
■ Cast nets having a stretched mesh size not
greater than 1 inch in fresh waters of the
state unless specifically prohibited.
■ Minnow dip nets not more than 4 feet in
diameter.
■ Minnow seines having a stretched mesh
size not greater than 1 inch, a length not
more than 20 feet, and a depth not more
than 4 feet.
■ Minnow traps not more than 24 inches in
length and 12 inches in diameter, with a
funnel entrance not more than 1 inch in
spread.
■ Any game fish taken by these methods
must be released immediately.
■ Taking of bait for the purpose of sale
requires a commercial fishing license.
Use of fish for bait
■ Black bass, peacock bass or any part
thereof may not be used as bait.
■ Live goldfish or carp may not be used as
bait.
■ Whole pickerel or panfish (e.g., bluegill,
redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, spotted
sunfish, flier, warmouth) or parts thereof
may be used as bait for sportfishing by the
angler who caught them. Whole pickerel
or bream or parts thereof may not be used
as bait for trotlines or bush hooks or any
method other than by rod and reel or pole
and line.
Call 1-800-545-6021
or visit our Web site at
www.visithighlandscounty.com
It is illegal to possess grass carp or alligator gar
without a permit.
Grass carp illustration by Ted Walke;
Alligator gar by Duane Raver, Jr.
Triploid grass carp are used for
aquatic vegetation control and may
not be stocked or harvested without a
permit. They grow to over 40 pounds.
Alligator gar are found only in the panhandle
rivers and grow to more than
120 pounds. Their gator–like snout is
distinct. Due to their limited numbers,
harvest is restricted to individuals with
a valid scientific collector’s permit.
Taking and possession of freshwater mussels
3 Inches
Florida Spiney Spike
1 1/2 Inches
3 1/2 Inches
Paper Pondshell
METHODS OF TAkING FISH
Certain families of freshwater mussels
may be collected for personal use. The
bag limit for freshwater mussels from
these families is 10 per person (or 20 half
shells). The possession limit is two days
bag limit (see images to left and FAQ,
page 30).
Mussels shall be taken by hand-picking
only. Use of brailles, crowfoot bars, or
other mechanical methods is prohibited.
Freshwater mussels, live or 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 limits.
Protect our natural resources.
Stop the release and spread
of non-native species.
Clown knifefish
Native to Southeast Asia
Art by Diane Peebles
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2008-2009 11