68B-37.005. Seasons

(1) Recreational Closed Seasons – Except as provided in paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b), there is no closed season for the recreational harvest of spotted seatrout. (a) Panhandle Region – A person may not harvest or land a spotted seatrout from within or without Florida Waters of the Panhandle Region or possess a spotted seatrout in or on Florida Waters of the Panhandle Region beginning February 1 and continuing through the last day of February each year. (b) Indian River Lagoon Region – A person may not harvest or land a spotted seatrout from within or without Florida Waters of the Indian River Lagoon Region or possess a spotted seatrout in or on Florida Waters of the Indian River Lagoon Region beginning November 1 and continuing through December 31 each year. (2) Commercial Open Seasons – The harvest, landing, and possession of spotted seatrout for commercial purposes shall be limited each year to the period established in this subsection within the following identified regions: (a) Panhandle Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31. (b) Big Bend Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31. (c) Tampa Bay Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31. (d) Sarasota Bay Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31. (e) Charlotte Harbor Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31. (f) Southwest Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31. (g) Southeast Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31. (h) Indian River Lagoon Region – Beginning May 1 and continuing through September 30. (i) Northeast Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through November 30. (3) Commercial Closed Seasons – A commercial harvester may not harvest, possess, or land a spotted seatrout for commercial purposes from within or without Florida Waters of a region during the specified closed seasons for spotted seatrout for each region established in this subsection: (a) Panhandle Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year. (b) Big Bend Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year. (c) Tampa Bay Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year. (d) Sarasota Bay Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year. (e) Charlotte Harbor Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year. (f) Southwest Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year. (g) Southeast Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year. (h) Indian River Lagoon Region – Beginning October 1 and continuing through April 30 of the following year. (i) Northeast Region – Beginning December 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 11-1-89, Amended 1-1-96, Formerly 46-37.005, Amended 2-1-12, 9-1-13, 2-26-20, 4-1-26.