December brings closure of snook season in Atlantic state, federal waters

For immediate release: December 6, 2011

Contact: Amanda Nalley, 850-487-0554

December brings closure of snook season in Atlantic state, federal waters

The recreational harvest of snook will close in all Atlantic coastal and inland waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, beginning Dec. 15. The season will reopen in Atlantic state and federal waters Feb. 1, 2012.

Snook season remains closed in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters through Aug. 31, 2012, a decision made by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) after prolonged cold weather during the 2009-10 winter that affected snook numbers.

The extended Gulf harvest closure will help protect snook populations this winter, when they are most vulnerable to cold weather, and give snook added protection during next spring and summer’s spawning months.

Anglers may still catch and release snook during the harvest closure, and the FWC encourages everyone to handle and release these fish carefully to help ensure their survival upon release.

Snook regulations apply to snook harvested in both state and federal waters off Florida, and no person shall possess any snook caught during snook closed seasons.

For more information regarding the management of snook in Florida, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Snook.”

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