The first-ever closed season on harvesting permit in most Florida Keys waters ends on July 31. During the three-month closure that runs May through July, anglers in the Special Permit Zone in the Keys have been limited to release-only fishing for permit.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission created the permit zone and new closed season last year to protect permit, considered one of the “big three” backcountry game fish along with bonefish and tarpon.
