State extends restrictions on snook fishing

PENSACOLA, Fla. - State wildlife regulators decided to extend restrictions on snook fishing in Everglades National Park and along Florida's West Coast after thousands of the climate-sensitive sport fish died during January's cold snap.

The Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission voted unanimously Thursday to extend snook closures for the state's west coast but to open the state's east coast to snook fishing.

Thousands of the fish died in January when overnight temperatures hovered around freezing for about two weeks, dropping water temperatures into the 50s.

Biologists say the snook population on the west coast was hardest hit and has been slow to recover.