Mosquito Lagoon - Edgewater, Florida

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering alligator hunters no-cost, three-hour classes to help them prepare for the Aug. 15–Nov. 1 statewide alligator harvest.

Reservations are not required.

Attendance is not mandatory for licensed hunters, but the Commission recommends participants attend, especially if they have not previously hunted for alligators. Class topics include preparing for the hunt, hunting techniques and safety, and harvesting and processing, caring for alligator hide and alligator hunting rules and regulations. Also, people who do not have an alligator harvest permit can attend.

The Central Florida dates:

Saturday, 1-4 p.m., Tampa, Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 N.; use the Orient Rd. entrance. For directions, call 800-345-FAIR (3247) or visit www.floridastatefair.com

Comments Off

New Mosquito Lagoon rules in effect

Florida’s new shoreline fishing license requirement took effect Saturday.

Resident anglers who fish for saltwater species from shore or a structure affixed to shore must have a $9 shoreline fishing license or a $17 regular saltwater fishing license.

Nonresident anglers need a regular non-resident saltwater fishing license. Short-term and annual nonresident fishing licenses cost between $17 and $47. Additional fees may apply.

The requirement allows exemptions for resident anglers who fish in their home county using live or natural bait on a line or pole without a line-retrieval mechanism. The exemption does not apply to anglers who use nets, traps, gigs, spears or who gather seafood by hand or any type of gear other than hook and line.

Other exemptions apply for anglers who qualify for temporary cash assistance, food stamps or Medicaid. Also, resident anglers 65 or older and children under 16 may fish without a license. Active-duty military personnel may fish without a license while home on leave in Florida. Licensed fishing piers have licenses that cover everyone who fishes from them.

No Comments »

Mosquito Lagoon Crab Trap Cleanup

The Coastal Conservation Association of Florida will hold an abandoned crab trap cleanup in the Mosquito Lagoon and the north end of the Indian River from the Titusville bridge north beginning at 8 a.m. on Aug. 15.

CCA member Chris Peterson, the owner of Hell’s Bay Boatworks, is organizing the event with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Members of the cleanup team are asked to meet at
8 a.m. at the ramp at Haulover Canal, which also is the drop point for traps. Organizers need both shallow draft boats and party barge-type vessels to ferry traps to the collection point.

Participants will be treated to a cookout following the cleanup and also will receive a cleanup T-shirt. Participants are asked to RSVP no later than Monday by e-mailing CCA General Manager Dan Askin at daskin@ccaflorida.org or by calling 663-2588.

No Comments »