Regulations notebook
Rule updates for this region
In effectUnited States — California, specified Smith River reaches in CDFW North Coast low-flow table
Smith River: designated reaches closed 31 October–2 November
Steelhead and other fish; closure to fishing in affected reaches · Effective 2026-10-31 · Checked 2026-10-31
CDFW's status table, updated 30 October 2026 at 9:00 AM, lists the specified Smith River reaches as closed to fishing on 31 October and 1–2 November. This replaces this notice's previous 29–30 October status window; no opening after 2 November is confirmed. Affected waters are the listed main-stem reach between Rowdy Creek and Patrick Creek and specified South Fork and North Fork reaches. Check the official table for exact boundaries and do not fish closed waters. A higher gauge reading or rainfall is not an opening decision; recheck official status before each trip. This updates a closure decision under existing low-flow rules, not a newly enacted regulation.
In effectUnited States — Florida Atlantic state waters excluding Monroe County; Gulf and Monroe distinction
Correction: Atlantic Florida king mackerel limit is two, except Monroe County
King mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) · Effective 2021-08-25 · Checked 2026-10-27
The southeast Florida king-mackerel guide's Current rules and jurisdiction section incorrectly gives a daily limit of three without the Atlantic distinction. FWC lists two king mackerel per harvester per day in Atlantic state waters excluding Monroe County. Gulf state waters and Monroe County have a three-fish limit. Both have a 24-inch fork-length minimum and an open year-round season. Apply the two-fish limit in the Atlantic state-water area described here; verify separate federal rules offshore. This corrects the guide, not a newly announced rule change. The effective date shown is the official register's date for the latest adopted version of rule 68B-30.003, not a claim that the two-fish limit first began then. Checked 27 October 2026.
In effectUnited States — Alaska, Kenai River drainage; check the named reach
Kenai River: two-fish coho limit and reach-specific autumn closing dates
Coho salmon · Effective 2026-09-01 · Checked 2026-10-23
ADF&G Emergency Order 2-SS-1-49-26 keeps the bag and possession limits at two coho salmon measuring at least 16 inches, effective 1 September through 30 November 2026. It overrides the normal September increase to three. The advisory distinguishes the seasons: mouth to Bing's Landing through 30 November; upstream of Bing's Landing to the Kenai Lake outlet through 31 October; Russian River coho season ended 30 September. The order does not open a closed reach. Check the exact map, gear rules and latest orders before fishing; do not apply this limit to all Alaskan salmon fisheries. This is an existing restriction announced on 27 August, newly added here as an autumn reminder. It supplements the North America guide's general Kenai planning advice, which is not a reach-specific permission.
In effectAlaska — specified saltwaters of Bear Cove near Medvejie Hatchery and Deep Inlet, Sitka; boundaries in Emergency Order 1-CO-D-29-26
Sitka: Bear Cove and Deep Inlet remain closed to coho sport fishing through 31 October
Coho salmon · Effective 2026-09-15 · Checked 2026-10-22
Emergency Order 1-CO-D-29-26 prohibits sport fishing for coho salmon in the specified Sitka waters from 12:01 a.m. on 15 September through 11:59 p.m. on 31 October 2026, unless superseded. Coho may not be possessed or retained there; incidentally caught coho must stay in the water and be released immediately. The order covers Bear Cove east of its specified shoreline-to-shoreline boundary and Deep Inlet south of its specified boundary; use the official coordinates and maps before entering either area. The current agency register still lists this restriction. This is an existing closure, announced 11 September, being added to the regional notebook, not a new October announcement. It applies to these Sitka waters, not the North America guide’s Kenai, Homer or Seward bases. Recheck emergency orders before a trip or assuming reopening after the stated expiry.
Upcoming changeFlorida — FWC Tampa Bay snook management region, including its inland, state and adjacent federal waters
Tampa Bay: snook harvest closes 1 December through February
Snook · Effective 2026-12-01 · Checked 2026-10-22
The existing annual harvest closure runs from 1 December 2026 through 28 February 2027 in FWC’s Tampa Bay management region. Snook must be released during that period; this is a harvest closure, not a blanket prohibition on catch-and-release fishing. The region extends from Fred Howard Park to State Road 64 and includes the Alafia, Braden, Manatee and Hillsborough rivers; Palma Sola Bay and the Anclote River are excluded. Confirm the official boundary map, licence requirements and any later orders before fishing. This scheduled reminder supports the winter snook guide’s November–December distinction. It is not a newly announced emergency measure and does not change that guide’s prose.
These notices cover the changes listed, not every rule for the region. Check the linked authority before fishing.
