Blue Crabs

Southwest Florida blue crab trap closure to end early 

The southwest Florida recreational and commercial blue crab trap closure previously scheduled for July 10-19 will end early because efforts to remove lost and abandoned traps in this region will have been completed. Starting July 15, blue crab traps may be placed back in state waters from the Palm Beach-Broward county line to the Pasco-Hernando county line.

Coastal waters from Hernando through Wakulla counties, including all waters of the Ochlockonee River and Bay, are scheduled to close to blue crab traps July 20-29.

More information regarding the FWC’s trap-retrieval program, blue crab trap closure dates, regulations and cleanup events is available online at MyFWC.com/Fishing (click on “Saltwater Fishing” then “Trap Retrieval/Debris Removal”). For additional information, contact the FWC’s trap retrieval coordinator, Pamela Gruver, at 850-487-0554.