You’ve probably seen the videos. Hundreds of snook are floating belly up all throughout Florida. These fish are less tolerant to colder temps, and if the water hits 50 degrees, they start to get a little sideways…..
We sat down with Dr. Brittany Scharf, with Florida Sea Grant, to get her take on the freeze, the fish, and the future.
How and Why Fish Freeze
Fish such as tarpon, goliath grouper, and snook share similar lower lethal temperature thresholds, meaning that they have comparable limits to how much cold they can tolerate. When water temperatures drop below these thresholds, the risk of mortality increases significantly. Brittany's research has also shown that snook are especially vulnerable during fast-moving cold fronts, as rapid temperature declines give them less time to seek out thermal refuges like deep holes, springs, or other warm-water sanctuaries.
Many of the snook on our west coast, for example, swim up into rivers and springs for mid-winter warmth, similar to manatees. When cold fronts charge fast, they have less time to make this transition.
Where Fish are Floating
This recent Arctic blast impacted the entire Florida peninsula, bringing widespread cold conditions across both traditional and expanded snook habitats. Based on the geographic extent and intensity of the event, we expected significant impacts to snook populations in their expanded northern range. Surprisingly, however, fewer cold-related mortalities were reported in these areas than anticipated.
This suggests that snook in these northern Gulf of America populations likely utilized behavioral strategies to survive — specifically seeking out thermal refuges such as springs, deep holes, and other warm-water habitats. Fish in this northern range regularly experience colder temperatures and more frequent cold events than their southern counterparts, which may influence how they respond to rapid temperature drops.
While a series of recent mild winters likely facilitated the northward expansion of snook, our research found that these northern populations also exhibit a different lower lethal temperature threshold compared to fish in more southern regions. In addition to potential physiological differences, their repeated exposure to colder conditions may enhance their ability to behaviorally respond to extreme events.
Although snook generally begin to experience stress — reduced feeding, loss of equilibrium, and eventual mortality — as water temperatures approach 50°F, the response is not uniform across all populations. The resilience observed during this most recent cold event highlights both the importance of thermal refuge habitat and the adaptive capacity of snook at the edge of their expanding range.
The Future
Even the fish that survive these events are not unaffected. Recovery from a significant cold snap can take weeks, depending on the severity of the temperature drop and the overall condition of the individual fish. Snook stop feeding at around 58-60°F, and mortality can occur as temperatures approach 47-48°F. During and after extreme cold events, fish may experience physiological distress and loss of equilibrium, and these effects can take time to resolve. In some cases, delayed or secondary complications related to cold stress can result in additional mortality, extending the true recovery window beyond the initial event.
With spawning season approaching, it is important to recognize that surviving fish may still be in a recovery phase—working to restore energy reserves and stabilize after the stress of cold exposure. During this period, anglers may consider reducing or postponing targeting snook to help minimize additional stress. Thoughtful stewardship from both managers and the recreational fishing community can play an important role in supporting the population’s rebound following significant cold events.
A Wild Take Backed By Science
One thought-provoking perspective is this: maybe it makes ecological sense. Snook are expanding beyond their historic native range, pushing farther north along Florida’s coasts and even into the Carolinas. As a tropical species, they are inherently limited by cold temperatures. When severe freezes occur, it raises the question—are these events simply reinforcing natural range boundaries?
It’s not an easy idea to embrace, especially for those of us who value and enjoy this fishery. But from an ecological standpoint, periodic extreme cold events have long played a role in shaping where tropical species can persist. Recent mild winters may have allowed snook to expand northward, yet episodic Arctic blasts serve as natural stress tests on those expanded populations.
Regardless of where you land on that perspective, there are constructive ways anglers and coastal residents can support recovery and management efforts:
Report cold-stunned or dead snook to the FWC Fish Kill Hotline. Timely reporting helps biologists assess the scale and geographic extent of impacts.
Consider targeting alternative species while snook recover if the season is open. Reducing fishing pressure—especially in the weeks following a major cold event—can minimize additional stress on surviving fish.
Engage with state managers. Public input is part of the fisheries management process, and informed conversations help shape adaptive responses after extreme weather events.
Participate in data collection and citizen science efforts. Programs that monitor fish populations, temperature trends, and habitat use provide valuable information that strengthens future management decisions.
Extreme cold events are part of Florida’s climate reality. How we respond—through science, stewardship, and responsible angling—can help ensure snook populations remain resilient, even as their range and environmental conditions continue to shift.
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