• Bowfishing of some species of grouper is prohibited by law.grouper image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  With easy access to a wide range of freshwater and saltwater options, fishing is one of the most popular recreational sports in Florida. Types of fishing include rod and reel, cast-netting, trapping, gigging, dredging and fly-fishing. Bowfishing falls under the category of spearing and is one of the more challenging ways to fish.
  
  

Jurisdiction

• Regulations and laws regarding all methods of fishing in Florida are governed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or FWC. The FWC defines bowfishing as a form of "spearing" along with gigging and any method that uses a device to capture a fish by piercing its body.
  
  

Freshwater Restrictions

• The FWC mandates separate laws and regulations governing freshwater and saltwater fishing. While bowfishing is popular in saltwater, it is prohibited by law to bowfish any type of fish designated as a freshwater species. A complete list of both freshwater and saltwater species is available on the FWC web site.
  
  

Limitations

• In addition to all freshwater fish, some species of saltwater fish are designated as protected by the FWC and cannot be caught with a bow. Some of these species include sturgeon, manta ray, sharks, bonefish, tarpon, snook, blue crab and Nassau grouper. A complete current list of prohibited species, is available on the FWC web site.
  
  

Bag Limits

• Fishermen who use the bowfishing method of fishing are subject to the same daily bag limits as fishermen using other methods. Size and weight restrictions must also be observed.
  
  

Licenses and Permits

• A saltwater recreational license or permit is required to bowfish in Florida. The type of license or permit required is dependent on a variety of factors including age, military status, residency and method of fishing. The FWC provides complete details and online license purchase options.