FWC commission names June 1, Sept. 1 license-free <b>fishing</b> days

CRESTVIEW — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday selected June 1 and Sept. 1 as this year's saltwater license-free fishing days.

The requirement to have a recreational fishing license will be waived on these days for Florida’s residents and visitors who saltwater fish.

All other regulations such as seasons, size limits and bag limits still apply on these days.

The commission offers four license-free fishing days  — two saltwater and two freshwater— each year. While it annually selects new saltwater license-free fishing days, freshwater license-free fishing days are always the first Saturday in April and the second Saturday in June.

This year’s freshwater license-free fishing days are  April 6 and June 8.

This year’s June 1 saltwater and the June 8 freshwater license-free days are during National Fishing and Boating Week. This week promotes boating and fishing across the country as fun and healthy outdoor activities.

In 2012, 37 states had at least one license-free fishing day during this annual event.

"The Sept. 1 saltwater license-free day falls on Labor Day weekend, when many families will be out on the water, enjoying one of the last big fishing weekends of summer," a spokesperson said.

"License-free days not only introduce new anglers to the lifetime sport of fishing; they also economically benefit the state, as those 3 million anglers cited by the American Sportfishing Association’s 'Sportfishing in America' report, shop at tackle stores, purchase boat fuel and bait and travel to their favorite fishing hole," a spokesperson said. "Some of this money even finds its way back to the FWC via the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration Program specifically to create more fishing and boating opportunities."

See MyFWC.com/Fishing to learn more about saltwater and freshwater fishing in Florida.

BE RECOGNIZED

You can sign up for a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission freshwater angler recognition program at www.TrophyCatchFlorida.com.

Those who photograph and release a largemouth bass heavier than 8 pounds are eligible for rewards or certificates for catching qualifying freshwater fish from among 33 species in the program.

DID YOU KNOW?

The state has more than 3 million anglers, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

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LDWF Commission Approves Online Application Process for Oyster Harvester Permits

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Approves Online Application Process for Oyster Harvester Permits in Lake Calcasieu

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has passed a motion amending the rules by which Oyster Harvester Permits are issued for Lake Calcasieu. As required by Act 329 of the 2011 Louisiana Legislative Session, anyone seeking to commercially harvest oysters in Lake Calcasieu must have one of 126 special Oyster Harvester Permits issued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Of the 126 permits available, 63 will be issued exclusively to eligible fishermen who have historically harvested in Lake Calcasieu since January 1, 2001. The remaining 63 permits will be issued to any person who is otherwise eligible.

Permits will be valid for a period of one year beginning October 1, of a given year and ending September 30, of the following year. Applicants are required to hold a current and valid commercial fishing license and oyster harvester license.

Applications for permits will be available exclusively online on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website (www.wlf.louisiana.gov). Permits will be issued on a first-come-first-serve basis, determined by the order in which completed applications are submitted through the LDWF website. Online submission is the ONLY acceptable method to submit completed applications.

Applications will be available beginning Monday, September 26, 2011, at 9 a.m. Harvesters will be required to reapply on the last Monday of September each year following.

A completed application consists of the following information: applicant's name, physical and mailing address, phone number, commercial license number, oyster harvester license number and personal identification number issued by a state or federal agency (i.e., driver's license or passport).

Media Contact
Laura Wooderson lwooderson@wlf.la.gov or (225)610-2363.

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