Fishing

Sports

Many hunting, fishing licenses at half price through the holidays

WGCU Staff

Gov. DeSantis signs order making many hunting and fishing licenses 50 percent off through Jan. 3

Kayakers on the Caloosahatchee river were looking for a siting of the manatee that were swimming just outside the park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.

Sports

Registration open for Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament

WGCU Staff

The 21st Annual Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament returns to Lee County on Saturday, Nov. 9, with proceeds benefiting the Candlelighters of Southwest Florida, a charity that supports children with cancer or blood disorders and their families.

“The Legislature recognizes that hunting, fishing, and the taking of game are a valued part of the cultural heritage of Florida and should be forever preserved for Floridians. The Legislature further recognizes that these activities play an important part in the state’s economy and in the conservation, preservation, and management of the state’s natural areas and resources. Therefore, the Legislature intends that the citizens of Florida have a right to hunt, fish, and take game, subject to the regulations and restrictions prescribed by general law and by s. 9, Art. IV of the State Constitution.” - 2024 Florida Amendment 2

Elections 2024

Amendment 2 adds to Florida’s Constitution many protections already in state law

Tom Bayles

Amendment 2 is largely backed by hunting and fishing groups and charter captains. Amendment 2 is opposed by environmental groups. Some homeowners are worried about increased trespassing

Environment

Six Southwest Florida schools among 50 in state to get FWC School Fishing Club Program grant

WGCU Staff

The School Fishing Club Program is an annual educational grant program that teaches youth anglers about best fishing practices to help ensure the future of fishing in Florida.

Environment

Prized pink-tagged bass are swimming in Florida waters

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program has deployed bright pink research tags in bass across five waters throughout the state: the Northwest Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, Lake Lochloosa, Lake Beauclair, Lake Okeechobee and Porter Lake.

Environment

Clean-water advocacy group adds Capt. C.A. Richardson to the board of directors

Tom Bayles

Captains for Clean Water has added Captain C.A. Richardson to the nonprofit’s board of directors. Richardson has been a professional fisherman and television guide

Government & Politics

Lee County Manatee Park fishing pier closing temporarily for repairs

WGCU Staff

The fishing pier along the Orange River at Manatee Park, 10901 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers, will close temporarily beginning July 31 for scheduled maintenance.

Redfish grown at Mote Marine's inland aquaculture farm being released from blue barrels into Phillippe Creek, which empties into Sarasota Bay about a mile south of the city's downtown bayfront. A total of 20,000 reds spawned at the inland farm will be released throughout Sarasota and Charlotte county's bays and creeks in the coming weeks

Environment

Redfish grown at Mote Marine's inland aquaculture farm being released inshore

Tom Bayles

Several thousand redfish raised 17 miles inland are now swimming freely in Sarasota Bay.Those are the first of 20,000 redfish raised nowhere near a bay or inlet, but at Mote Marine’s Aquaculture Research Park, a 200-acre inland fish farm along Fruitville Road east of Interstate 75,

Government & Politics

Fishing boat captains score privacy victory

Cary Barbor

A recent case that originated in Southwest Florida was a big win for privacy rights.

Eight cash-heavy bass swimming around Florida, one in Collier County; catch them by Sept. 30 to win

Anglers who land one of the special pink-tagged lunkers could win from $5,000 to $10,000; one of the eight remaining largemouth still cruises around Lake Trafford in Collier County.