The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is on routine patrol to stop illegal fishing activities. Last week, they cited anglers at Sebastian Inlet and Indian River Lagoon for catching undersized snook and harvesting redfish and sea trout out of season.
Fishing in Sebastian is popular, but it’s crucial for anglers to be aware of the fishing laws before they start. These regulations are in place to protect and sustain fish populations.
One incident involved an FWC officer on a night patrol at Sebastian Inlet State Park. The officer spotted two anglers carrying undersized snook to their vehicles in the parking lot. After conducting a resource inspection, both individuals were found in possession of the undersized fish and received citations.
In another case, an FWC officer at the inlet observed an angler catching a snook and storing it in a cooler. The same angler was seen catching another snook and adding it to the cooler. Upon fishing, the angler was inspected and claimed that his partner had caught one of the fish. However, the officer revealed that he had been observing from a hidden spot and cited the angler for the violation.
FWC officers continue to patrol areas like Sebastian Inlet, Wabasso Causeway, and make frequent boat stops in the St. Sebastian River and Indian River Lagoon. They remind anglers to be mindful of size limits and the importance of catch-and-release for fish that are out of season. Please visit the FWC regulations page for more information.
