myfwc.com

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) manages fish and wildlife resources "for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people," and its habitat and species conservation work is the foundation for that mission. On myfwc.com, you can explore that work through the Habitat & Species Conservation and Discover Wildlife sections, and you can participate directly by submitting wildlife photos, answering surveys on proposed rule changes, and reporting violations or wildlife alerts. The main condition to keep in mind: most public input opportunities are tied to specific, time-limited comment windows or programs, so check the current page rather than assuming a form is always open.

What the Habitat & Species Conservation section covers

This area of the site is where FWC organizes its efforts to conserve habitats and the species that depend on them. From the homepage, the Habitat & Species Conservation link sits alongside other core topics such as Hunting, Saltwater Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Licenses & Permits, Boating, Research, and Law Enforcement/Report a Violation.

In practical terms, this section is the entry point for understanding:

• Habitat conservation — how FWC approaches the landscapes and ecosystems that fish and wildlife need.
• Species conservation — the programs and information focused on individual species and groups.
• The link to recreation and commerce — because the FWC mission explicitly frames conservation as benefiting people, this work connects directly to hunting, saltwater and freshwater fishing, and boating.

If your goal is to understand why a season, closure, or rule exists, this section is the context layer behind the rules you find elsewhere on the site.

Using Discover Wildlife for species and observation information

The Discover Wildlife section is the public-facing companion to conservation work. It's where you go to learn about Florida's wildlife rather than to manage a license or check a season.

Use it when you want to:

• Identify or learn about species found in Florida.
• Understand wildlife you've observed and where to find more information.
• Connect a sighting or interest to FWC's broader conservation programs.

A useful workflow: start in Discover Wildlife to learn about a species, then check Habitat & Species Conservation to understand the management and conservation context, and finally check WMA Closures and Updates if your interest involves visiting a specific managed area.

How the public can get involved

FWC offers several concrete participation channels. Each has its own conditions, so treat the list below as a map of options rather than a guarantee that every program is open right now.

Submit wildlife photos

The homepage promotes a photo program: "Celebrate 10 Years of Memories! Submit your saltwater fish photos to earn exclusive anniversary prizes." This is a specific, themed call for saltwater fish photos tied to an anniversary campaign, with prizes as the stated incentive. If you want to participate, go to the current homepage feature and follow the submission details there — the eligibility (saltwater fish photos) and the reward (anniversary prizes) are defined by the campaign itself.

Respond to surveys and proposed rule changes

FWC runs public comment tools for rulemaking. Two examples visible on the homepage:

• 2027-2028 Proposed Rule Change Hunting Survey — described as an online commenting tool where you "provide your input on a package of proposed hunting rule changes."
• 2026 Recreational Atlantic Red Snapper Season — a featured item pointing to season information.

These are the clearest "get involved" mechanisms for people who want to influence management decisions: you read the proposal, then use the commenting tool to submit input. Because these are tied to specific rule cycles and years, the open/closed status changes — always confirm on the live page before planning to comment.

Report a violation or a wildlife alert

Law Enforcement/Report a Violation and the Wildlife Alert item are the channels for reporting problems. This is participation in the enforcement and protection side of conservation: if you see something that appears to violate wildlife rules, this is where you report it.

Check closures before you go

WMA Closures and Updates lets you "find the open/closed status of FWC managed areas, offices, and facilities." This matters for anyone whose involvement includes visiting managed areas — a closure can change your plans, and the status is maintained as a live update rather than a static list.

Support through plates

The site links to Buy-a-Plate (wildlifeflorida.org/buy-a-plate/), a funding channel associated with wildlife conservation. If you want to contribute financially rather than through comments or reports, this is the linked option.

How conservation connects to hunting, fishing, and boating

The FWC mission statement — managing resources "for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people" — explains the structure of the site. Conservation isn't a separate silo; it's the reason the recreational and commercial sections exist in the form they do.

• Recreational and Commercial are top-level navigation categories, reflecting that fishing and hunting have both recreational and commercial dimensions.
• Hunting, Saltwater Fishing, and Freshwater Fishing each have their own sections, and each is shaped by seasons, closures, and rules that conservation work informs.
• Boating is included because access to Florida's waters is part of how people experience and use these resources.
• Licenses & Permits is the administrative layer that connects participation to regulation.

So if you're trying to understand a rule, a closure, or a season, the conservation sections give you the "why," while the fishing, hunting, and licensing sections give you the "what and when."

A practical way to navigate it

1. Start with your goal. Learning about a species → Discover Wildlife. Understanding management → Habitat & Species Conservation. Checking whether you can visit an area → WMA Closures and Updates.
2. Check the current featured items on the homepage. Campaigns, surveys, and season announcements appear there and change over time — the homepage is the fastest way to see what's active.
3. Use the right participation channel. Photos → the current photo campaign. Rule input → the active survey/commenting tool. Problems → Law Enforcement/Report a Violation or Wildlife Alert. Financial support → Buy-a-Plate.
4. Verify before acting. Because comment windows, campaigns, and closures are time-bound, confirm the details on the live page rather than relying on a description of the program.

The key takeaway: FWC's habitat and species conservation work is both a body of information you can explore and a set of channels you can act through — but the action channels are specific and often time-limited, so the homepage and the relevant section page are where you confirm what's currently open.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) publishes season dates, closures, and proposed rule changes on myfwc.com, organized by activity rather than in a single calendar. To find what you need, start from the Recreational or Commercial section for fishing and hunting rules, use the WMA Open/Closed Status page for land access, and use the 2027-2028 Proposed Rule Change Hunting Survey page when you want to comment on pending rules. The site's own homepage highlights current items such as the 2026 Recreational Atlantic Red Snapper Season, Gulf County and Pasco Zones Scallop Closures, and WMA closures and updates.

How FWC organizes season and closure information

The homepage presents information in activity-based sections rather than one master schedule:

• Recreational — recreational fishing and hunting seasons, bag limits, and related notices
• Commercial — commercial fishing and hunting rules, which are separate from recreational rules
• Wildlife — species and habitat information
• Wildlife Alert — reporting channel for violations and wildlife issues

Because recreational and commercial rules sit in different sections, check the section that matches your license or activity. A recreational season notice does not automatically describe commercial seasons, and the reverse is also true.

Checking current seasons and closures

The homepage surfaces time-sensitive items directly, which makes it a useful first stop:

For scallop closures in particular, note that the closure is tied to named zones (Gulf County and Pasco Zones), so you need to confirm which zone your intended location falls in before assuming a season is open.

Finding WMA open/closed status

The WMA Open/Closed Status page is the dedicated tool for land access. According to the site, it lets you "find the open/closed status of FWC managed areas, offices, and facilities." Use it before traveling to a wildlife management area, since closures can affect hunting access independently of statewide season dates. A season being open does not guarantee a specific WMA is open.

Proposed rule changes and public comment

FWC provides an online commenting tool for pending hunting rules. The homepage references a 2027-2028 Proposed Rule Change Hunting Survey that lets you "provide your input on a package of proposed hunting rule changes." If you want to influence rules before they take effect, this is the channel — proposed changes are published for comment rather than appearing only as final rules.

Where to start for licenses, permits, and boating

The "How Can We Help You?" area links to Licenses & Permits, Boating, Hunting, Saltwater Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Habitat & Species Conservation, Research, and Law Enforcement/Report a Violation. Boating safety information is also featured on the homepage. If your question is about whether you are allowed to fish or hunt at all, begin with Licenses & Permits; if it is about where and when, begin with the relevant fishing or hunting section plus the WMA status page.

Practical order of checks

1. Confirm the activity type (recreational vs. commercial) and open the matching section.
2. Check the homepage for current season notices and area-specific closures.
3. Verify land access on the WMA Open/Closed Status page.
4. Review proposed rule changes and submit comments if a pending rule affects you.
5. Confirm licensing or permitting requirements before heading out.

One limitation to keep in mind: the homepage excerpt shows featured items rather than a complete list, so a season or closure not displayed there may still be in effect. Treat the activity sections and the WMA status page as the authoritative lookups, and the homepage as a pointer to what is currently being emphasized.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) site at myfwc.com organizes licenses, permits, and boating information under a small set of top-level navigation links on the home page. To reach them, start from the "How Can We Help You?" section, which lists Licenses & Permits, Boating, Saltwater Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, and Hunting as separate entries. Use Licenses & Permits for the actual license and permit transactions; use the fishing, hunting, and boating links for rules, seasons, and safety content that sits alongside those licenses.

Where each task lives

The home page also carries rotating announcements — for example, a 2026 Recreational Atlantic Red Snapper Season notice, Gulf County and Pasco Zones scallop closures, and a 2027–2028 Proposed Rule Change Hunting Survey — so check the banner area before assuming a season or area is open.

Licenses and permits

Licenses & Permits is the entry point for the license and permit side of the site. It is distinct from the species-specific sections: the fishing and hunting pages tell you what the rules are, while Licenses & Permits is where you handle the credential itself. If you already know which activity you're doing, going straight to Licenses & Permits avoids detouring through species content.

Fishing: saltwater vs. freshwater

FWC splits fishing into two separate sections, and the split matters because rules, species, and seasons differ between them.

• Saltwater Fishing — marine species, seasons such as the Atlantic red snapper season shown on the home page, and photo programs like the saltwater fish photo submission for anniversary prizes.
• Freshwater Fishing — inland waters, plus the "Learn to Fish!" entry that points you to where to go and how to fish for a catch.

Pick the section matching the water you'll fish, then confirm current seasons and closures there before your trip.

Boating

Boating is the section for boating safety information. The home page links it directly under "How Can We Help You?" and repeats a "Boating Safety more information" prompt in the feature area, so both routes lead to the same content. Use it to check safety requirements before launching.

Area-specific rules and closures

Rules often depend on where you are, not just what you're doing. Two tools on the home page handle this:

• WMA Closures and Updates — check the open/closed status of FWC-managed areas, offices, and facilities via the WMA Open/Closed Status link.
• Wildlife Alert — for reporting violations or wildlife issues.

The scallop closure notice for Gulf County and Pasco Zones is an example of why zone-level checks matter: a statewide season can still have local closures.

A practical sequence

1. Identify your activity — saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, hunting, or boating.
2. Open that section to confirm current seasons, rules, and any closures.
3. Go to Licenses & Permits to handle the license or permit itself.
4. Before you go, check WMA Open/Closed Status if your destination is an FWC-managed area.
5. If you want to influence rules, look for the commenting tools — the 2027–2028 Proposed Rule Change Hunting Survey is one example of an open input channel.

If a page you expect isn't in the main navigation, the home page's "More ..." link and the "How Can We Help You?" list are the two places to look next.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) routes reports through its Wildlife Alert program, and the entry point on myfwc.com is the Law Enforcement/Report a Violation link in the "How Can We Help You?" section of the homepage. Use it for suspected poaching, illegal hunting or fishing, boating violations, injured or distressed wildlife, or other fish and wildlife law violations. For an emergency in progress, call 911 first — Wildlife Alert is a reporting channel, not an emergency dispatch service.

What Wildlife Alert Covers

Wildlife Alert is FWC's public reporting program for fish and wildlife law enforcement. Typical situations that fit:

• Suspected poaching or hunting/fishing out of season, over the bag limit, or without a license
• Illegal trapping, netting, or sale of wildlife
• Boating under the influence or reckless boating that endangers wildlife or people
• Injured, sick, orphaned, or distressed wildlife
• Pollution or habitat destruction affecting fish and wildlife
• People feeding, harassing, or illegally keeping wildlife

If the situation is an immediate threat to a person or an animal, treat it as an emergency and call 911 rather than filing through the website.

Finding the Report Entry Point

1. Go to myfwc.com.
2. Scroll to the "How Can We Help You?" section on the homepage.
3. Select Law Enforcement/Report a Violation. This is the doorway to the Wildlife Alert reporting options.

The homepage also carries a Wildlife Alert heading in its navigation and a WMA Closures and Updates link, which is useful if your report relates to a wildlife management area that may be closed or restricted.

Information to Have Ready

A useful report is specific. Before you submit, gather:

Never put yourself at risk to collect details. Observe from a safe distance and report what you saw.

Non-Emergency Wildlife Questions

Not every wildlife issue is a violation. For questions about nuisance wildlife, injured animals that aren't a law enforcement matter, or general species information, start from the Wildlife section of the site rather than the violation report. The homepage's "How Can We Help You?" menu also links to Habitat & Species Conservation, Hunting, Saltwater Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Licenses & Permits, Boating, Research, and Discover Wildlife, which can point you to the right program before you file a report.

Common Pitfalls

• Reporting an emergency through the website. If someone is in danger or a crime is in progress, call 911.
• Vague locations. "Somewhere on the lake" is hard to act on; give a landmark, ramp, or coordinates.
• Waiting too long. Report as soon as it's safe — details fade and evidence disappears.
• Assuming you must identify yourself. Ask about anonymous reporting if that's your concern.

For current reporting options, phone numbers, and any reward program details, open the Law Enforcement/Report a Violation page directly, since FWC updates these channels over time.

myfwc.com is the official website of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the state agency that manages Florida's fish and wildlife resources. Its stated mission is managing those resources "for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people." Use the site when you need Florida-specific answers on fishing, hunting, boating, licenses and permits, wildlife, habitat conservation, or reporting a violation.

What the site covers

The homepage organizes services around a few main areas:

• Recreational – fishing, hunting, and boating information for the public
• Commercial – resources for commercial fishing and related activity
• Wildlife – species and habitat information
• Licenses & Permits – the section to check for required licenses and permits
• Research – agency research and conservation work
• Law Enforcement / Report a Violation – how to contact enforcement or report a violation

A "How Can We Help You?" menu on the homepage links directly to Habitat & Species Conservation, Hunting, Saltwater Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Licenses & Permits, Boating, Research, Discover Wildlife, and Law Enforcement/Report a Violation.

Current notices shown on the homepage

The site's rotating homepage banners are where time-sensitive announcements appear. At the time of this snapshot they included:

• A 2026 Recreational Atlantic Red Snapper Season notice
• Gulf County and Pasco Zones scallop closures
• A "Learn to Fish!" feature pointing to Florida freshwater fishing, including where to go and how to fish
• Boating safety information
• A saltwater fish photo submission tied to a 10-year anniversary promotion
• A 2027–2028 proposed hunting rule change survey, with an online commenting tool for public input
• WMA Closures and Updates, with a link to check the open/closed status of FWC-managed areas, offices, and facilities

Because these are rotating and dated, treat them as examples of what the site publishes rather than permanent content — check the live homepage for the current status.

How to use it

1. Start at myfwc.com and pick the activity that matches your question (fishing, hunting, boating, wildlife).
2. For anything involving legal requirements, go to Licenses & Permits rather than relying on a summary elsewhere.
3. Before heading out to an FWC-managed area, check WMA Closures and Updates for open/closed status.
4. To report a violation or reach law enforcement, use the Law Enforcement/Report a Violation link.
5. For rule changes or public input, watch the homepage banners — the hunting rule survey and commenting tool are an example of how the agency collects feedback.

What to keep in mind

• The site is Florida-specific; rules, seasons, and closures apply to Florida waters and lands.
• Some items on the homepage are promotional or survey-driven and change over time, so verify dates and details on the linked page.
• The site links to related properties, such as a Buy-a-Plate page at wildlifeflorida.org, so not every linked resource lives on myfwc.com itself.