Can you spear fish in florida

The following is a list of species that are prohibited for harvest by spearing. Any other species not listed that are managed by the Commission, and those species not managed by the Commission, may be harvested by spearing. Skip to main content. Report Issues Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. Go Outdoors Florida!

Spearfishing is defined as the taking of a saltwater fish by use of a spear, gig or lance, whether the angler is above the water or below, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. As with any recreational fishing, most spearfishers also need a valid Florida saltwater fishing license and must display a diver down flag, if diving or snorkeling. The law addressed the abundant spearing of snook off Collier beaches, wrecks and fish-spawning mangroves in the s, Cpl.

Marvin said. Collier-specific laws enacted even earlier? Click here for a link to the list of FWC's special acts of local application. The validity regarding these special acts has caused some confusion over the years. In , the Florida Legislature actually did repeal the Collier spearfishing laws, but the regulations were carried forward as administrative rules of the newly created Marine Fisheries Commission, and are still in effect under the FWC.

Citizens are understandably confused by local fishing and diving regulations, said Kevin Sweeney, owner of SCUBAdventures , which sells a lot of spearguns? Sweeney notifies spearfishers about Collier's ban and provides them with a sheet of rules. We do educate people to keep them out of jail. Within state waters, powerheads and bangsticks can be used for personal protection only, and cannot be used to harvest any species.

Spearing Spearing is a general term that includes bow fishing, gigging, spearfishing underwater , or the use of any other device to capture a fish by piercing its body. For any species freshwater or marine in freshwater. Possession of spearfishing equipment in or on freshwater is also prohibited.