Florida's recreational snook season is set to open Sept. 1 across most coasts

Florida’s recreational snook season begins Sept. 1 across the state’s East Coast and in most West Coast management regions, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The opening applies to Northeast, Indian River Lagoon, Southeast, Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay, including state and inland waters plus adjacent federal waters within each region. For Central Florida anglers, the Northeast and Indian River Lagoon seasons run through Dec. 14. The bag limit is one snook per person, and fish must be 28 to 32 inches (slot) for those regions. On the West Coast, Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay remain open through Nov. 30 with a 28 to 33 inch slot and the same one-fish limit. Charlotte Harbor and Southwest stay closed until Oct. 1. Anglers must have a saltwater fishing license and snook permit unless exempt, and snook must be caught with hook and line and kept whole until ashore.