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Elliott Key Harbor and Campground Closed
Winds, surge and tides associated with Hurricane Sandy caused considerable damage to docks & boardwalk at Elliott Key. The harbor and campground are closed until further notice. University Dock remains open for day use only. More »
Fisheries Awareness Class
Participants look on as Biscayne fisheries biologist Vanessa McDonough talks about the fishing regulations and their purpose.
NPS Photo
ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Fisheries Awareness Class is a FREE program offered by Biscayne National Park to help you learn more about fishing in our Park. The objective of the course is to produce educated anglers and park visitors that are knowledgeable of the fishing regulations and understand the rationale behind these rules. During the class, some of the things you will learn include: 
Captain Muratori shares some of his experiences from years of fishing in South Florida NPS Photo
A ranger checks an angler's catch as part of a routine safety stop in Biscayne National Park KODAK/NPS Photo by Neil Montanus WHO CAN ATTEND? This FREE course is offered to the general public as a service to the community and a means of preempting violations from taking place. In addition, the course is preferentially offered as a mitigation option to individuals who have received fishing citations. Similar to driving school, individuals who have received fishing citations may, at the discretion of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the ticketing law enforcement agent, take the course in exchange for having their fine reduced or waived. 
The class location at Suniland Park Mapquest WHEN AND WHERE
Course Location Addresses: Suniland Park, Pinecrest Biscayne National Park CONTACT INFORMATION For more information or to enroll, please contact: Cristalis Capielo, Fisheries Education Program Coordinator 305-230-1144 ext. 036 or e-mail
(Se habla español)
PLEASE NOTE THAT CLASS REGISTRATION CAN ONLY BE ACCOMPLISED BY PHONE. REGISTRACTION PARA LA CLASE ES DISPONIBLE SOLO POR TELEFONO. FISH OF THE SEASON: PERMIT AND POMPANOS 
Permit and Pompanos in South Florida
NPS and MYFWC.COM
Permits and Pompanos are members of the Jack family, which also includes commonly targeted species such as Rainbow Runners, Bar Jacks, Amberjacks, and Crevalle Jacks.These species can be encountered in a variety of habitats, including inshore and nearshore sand and grass flats, surf, channels and inlets, and in deeper open water over sandy bottoms surrounding wrecks.Permits and Pompanos feed primarily on invertebrates, such as mollusks. Permits and Pompanos are targeted for their excellent food quality as well as for their excellent game qualities, offering a tough and challenging fight for even a highly skilled angler. Fish Identification Permit (Trachinotus falcatus), Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus), and African Pompano (Alectis ciliaris) are somewhat similar in appearance, as they all have silver bodies and a similar football shape.Some tips for distinguishing among these three species are as follows: · Permit: the dorsal fin begins over the anal fin and the forehead rises to a hump then slopes back. · Florida Pompano: the dorsal fin begins forward of the anal fin and the forehead slopes back gently · African Pompano: the dorsal fin begins forward of the anal fin and the front of the head is steep and rounded Regulations Effective August 31, 2011, the State of Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has established new regulations for Permit and Pompanos: Within the new Special Permit Zone (SPZ), which includes the waters of Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park south of Cape Sable, Permit must be at least 22” fork length and the daily recreational bag limit is 1 per harvester per day, with no more than 2 Permit per vessel.The closed season is May 1-July 31. Only hook-and-line and spearing can be used Florida Pompano must be at least 11” fork length, and the daily recreational bag limit is 6 per harvester per day.Only hook-and-line, cast net, and beach or haul seine can be used. African Pompano must be at least 24” fork length, and the daily recreational bag limit is 2 per harvester per day, with no more than 2 African Pompano allowed per vessel. Only hook-and-line and spearing can be used | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did You Know?
Rotating art exhibits in Biscayne National Park's Dante Fascell Visitor Center Gallery highlight the works of both established and emerging artists who are inspired by the park's natural beauty.