FWC relaxing rules for speckled trout fishing

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have approved several draft amendments that could open up more speckled trout fishing around the state.

Speckled trout are an extremely popular fish – they have been under tight state management for more than 20 years to help rebuild the population.

And the efforts have been successful - a 2010 stock assessment showed that the management goals for the species are being exceeded across the state.

Now the FWC thinks it might be safe to allow more fishing – they are proposing to do away with the current recreational closure in February in North Florida and the  November-through-December closure in South Florida.

Commercial speckled trout fishermen could also see some looser restrictions including a five month season instead of the current three.

The FWC is also considering allowing fishermen to  sell their speckeld trout up to a month after the commercial season closes and creating a vessel limit of 150 seatrout when two licensed commercial fishermen are on board.

The FWC will hold a final public hearing on the proposed spotted seatrout rules during its November meeting in Key Largo.

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