Merritt Island

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Boating and Fishing 2019 Sport Fishing Regulations (including crabbing, clamming, oystering and shrimping) You may recreationally fish, crab, clam, oyster, and shrimp in the Indian River Lagoon, Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, mosquito control impoundments and interior freshwater lakes except for the restricted areas of the Kennedy Space Center or as noted below. In advance of launches, the normal restricted area is expanded which temporarily closes certain waters that are normally open to sports fishing. If you have questions regarding these temporary closures, you may call the Refuge for more information. Individuals found in NASA’s normal or expanded Restricted Area are subject to arrest. All Florida Fishing Regulations apply as well as the following Refuge Specific Regulations: n n You must posses a current signed Refuge Sports Fishing Permit at all times while fishing on the Refuge. The permit is self-issuing and assures you have read and understand Merritt Island NWR’s fishing regulations. You may fish at night from a boat in the waters of Haulover Canal, Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River Lagoon and Banana River. Bank fishing after dark is not permitted. Impoundments and interior ponds are not open to night fishing. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 2683 Titusville, FL 32781 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island 321/861 0669 Visitor Center n You may launch a boat at night from: Bairs Cove and Beacon 42. All other Refuge Boat Ramps are closed to night launching. n You may not crab or fish from Black Point Wildlife Drive or any side road connected to Black Point Wildlife Drive except L Pond Road. n You may not launch boats, canoes, kayaks, or stand up paddle boards from Black Point Wildlife Drive or any side road connected to Black Point except L Pond Road. n n n Motorized vessels are not permitted in the Banana River within the posted No-Motor Zone. This includes any vessel having an attached or non-attached internal combustion or electric trolling motor capable of use. You may not use air thrust boats, hover craft, personal watercraft, or engage in kite surfing, kite boarding, wind surfing, sail boarding and other similar non-wildlife oriented recreational activities in Refuge waters. Vessel speeds must not exceed Idle Speed in Bairs Cove and KARS Marina or Slow Speed/Minimum Wake in Haulover Canal. Florida law also regulates boat speeds on other waters of the Refuge. n You may not harvest or posses horseshoe crabs, frogs, turtles, snakes or other wildlife. n Commercial fishermen and fishing guides are required to obtain and carry an annual Commercial Special Use Permit. n Fishing in the immediate vicinity of the Manatee Viewing Deck, both from the shore or from a boat, is prohibited. n Camping, fireworks and open fires are prohibited. n Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuges must comply with all provisions of State and Local laws. n Pets must remain on a leash and be under control at all times. n Fish cleaning is not allowed on Refuge Property. n Littering is prohibited and subjected to a fine. We prohibit glass beverage containers. n Vehicles, boats, equipment and other belongings are subject to inspection by law enforcement. Merritt Island NWR 2019 Fishing Permit Merritt Island NWR 2019 Fishing Permit Name:_____________________________ Name:_____________________________ Address:____________________________ Address:____________________________ U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD ____________________________________ ____________________________________ January 2019 Signature:___________________________ Signature:___________________________ (I have read and understand all Refuge (I have read and understand all Refuge fishing regulations.) fishing regulations.) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service n To improve fishing and protect grass flats, two Pole & Troll Zones have been established in Mosquito Lagoon (see map). The zones are delineated with buoys. Within the zones, internal combustion engines must be shut off (except in posted channels) and vessels drafting more than 12 inches at rest must not enter. Vessels may be propelled by a non-motorized power source such as drifting, push poles, paddles, etc. Electric trolling may be used through the zones. Boats may operate internal combustion engines only in the posted channels within the Pole & Troll Zones. n The use of internal combustion engines is restricted to the perimeter impoundment ditch at all times, to reduce habitat degradation and damage to the marsh. Vessels may be propelled outside the impoundment perimeter ditches by push-poles, paddles, or electric motors only. Internal combustion engines must be shut off while inside impoundments past the perimeter ditch. n Commercial fishing activities are not allowed inside Refuge impoundments. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Refuge Visitor Center. Call 321/861 5601 or visit the website: www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island To report a law enforcement violation, call 407/275 4150, press 7 and request a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Officer. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Fishing Map ( / 1 Pole & Troll Zone 3 Pole & Tr oll Zone Boundary Posted Channel (Internal Combustion Engines Per mitted) Mosquito Lagoon y ! Atlantic Ocean M q os to ui y ! o go La 3 y ! ( / 1 Black Point Wildlife Drive y ! n y ! EG WS ad Ro Merritt Island NWR Fishing Map Restricted Area - No Public E ntry 406 Banana River No Motor Zone 3 Refuge Boundary Roads 402 y ! Kennedy Space Center Security Zone No Public Entry No Fishing 406 Titusville ¨ § ¦ I-95 Indian River Lagoon Refuge Boat Ramp 0 1 2 3 Atlantic Ocean 50 50 oM o to r Zo ne 405 a na Ri v er N 407 ± Ban 3 Hall Road 528 Miles 4 Banana River Cape Canaveral Air Force Station No Public Entry