NW Florida red drum bag limit to remain at 1 fish

NW Florida red drum bag limit to remain at 1 fish

The recreational red drum daily bag limit in the Northwest Red Drum Management Zone (Escambia County through Fred Howard Park near Pasco County) will remain one fish per person. The bag limit was changed from two fish to one in May via a temporary order. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) adopted the change into rule at the September meeting in St. Augustine, making this a long-term conservation measure.

Florida’s iconic red drum fishery has a high economic and social value in northwest Florida and is managed for abundance statewide in order to ensure a quality angler fishing experience.

In the past year, stakeholders have expressed concerns that red drum populations have declined in parts of the Panhandle since 2013, the final year of data included in the most recent stock assessment.

This conservation measure will ensure red drum continue to be abundant in northwest Florida and exceed management goals for that portion of the state.

With this rule change, the red drum bag limit remains one per person per day in all portions of the state except the Northeast Red Drum Management Zone (Flagler to Nassau counties) where the daily bag limit is two. All other red drum regulations remain the same, including the statewide eight-fish vessel limit.