Is your Florida saltwater catch actually legal to keep?
Size is only one part of the answer. Florida anglers must also check the coast, management region, state or federal water, bag and vessel limit, season, gear, special permit and landing condition.
Florida saltwater status on August 15, 2026
All 9 regions
No recreational snook harvest anywhere in Florida today.
Most regions reopen September 1; Charlotte Harbor and Southwest reopen October 1 after the extended summer closure.
Red drum
18–27″ TL and one fish per person in harvest regions.
Indian River Lagoon remains catch-and-release only.
Gulf red snapper
Florida’s summer private season ended July 31.
Scheduled fall private season begins September 1.
Atlantic red snapper
Ordinary recreational harvest remains closed in South Atlantic federal waters.
A revised Florida EFP proposal is under federal review.
Gag grouper
Gulf recreational season opens September 1.
2026 scheduled season: September 1–30.
Greater amberjack
Gulf season opens September 1.
2026: September 1–October 13.
Blueline tilefish
Atlantic season runs through August 31.
The 2026 season was extended beyond the older July closing date.
Spiny lobster
Regular season August 6–March 31.
Six per person/day; carapace must be larger than 3 inches.
Legal size + wrong season still equals an illegal fish
Identify snapper, grouper, jack, drum or shark correctly.
Gulf, Atlantic, Monroe, Biscayne or another regional zone?
TL, FL, lower-jaw FL or a shell/crustacean measurement?
Personal limit may be larger than the total boat limit.
Confirm today’s harvest status, not last month’s.
Hooks, release gear, endorsements and landing rules still apply.
Use the newest controlling source, not automatically the prettiest PDF
Four changes an old screenshot can easily miss
Older regional management framework.
Nine-region management system with revised regional bag, overslot and closure rules.
Older Gulf size/bag framework.
Florida Gulf state waters: 10″ TL, 20/person and excluded from the state 10-snapper aggregate.
May 1–June 25.
May 1–August 1, extending the season by several weeks.
July 21.
Atlantic state and applicable federal season now runs May 1–August 31.
The revised Florida EFP is not an open federal season yet
Florida’s Atlantic red snapper pages contain material from the evolving 2026 EFP process. For the legal federal status, the NOAA permit timeline is the critical layer.
Florida state waters normally extend 3 miles Atlantic and 9 miles Gulf
This boundary is the starting point. Some Florida species regulations expressly extend into adjacent federal waters, while federally managed fisheries may have their own seasons and vessel permits.
Total length, fork length and lower-jaw fork length are different
Straight line from the most forward point of the head, mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the compressed tail.
Tip of jaw/snout with mouth closed to the center fork of the tail.
Used for billfish: tip of lower jaw to fork of tail.
FWC instructs anglers using flexible tape to make a straight-line measurement rather than following the fish’s contour.
Watch Florida’s fish-measurement method
The official FWC Saltwater Fishing video below demonstrates the basic measurement process used when comparing your fish with Florida size limits.
Official FWC Saltwater Fishing video • “How to Measure a Fish” • approximately 1 minute 37 seconds.
Florida saltwater size, bag & season quick reference
Use this table to identify the relevant rule, then use the detailed sections below for regional, federal, vessel and gear exceptions.
| Species | Size | Bag / vessel | Key current rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 18–27″ TL | 1/person; vessel 4, 2 or 0 by region | Indian River Lagoon catch-and-release only. |
| Spotted seatrout | 15–19″ TL | 2–5/person by region | Nine-region 2026 framework; overslot rules vary. |
| Snook | West regions 28–33″ TL; east regions 28–32″ TL | 1/person/day when open | Harvest closed statewide on Aug. 15, 2026. |
| Sheepshead | 12″ min TL | 8/person | 50-fish vessel limit during March–April. |
| Flounder | 14″ min TL | 5/person | Closed Oct. 15–Nov. 30. |
| Black drum | 14–24″ TL | 5/person | One fish over 24″ may be possessed. |
| Florida pompano | 11″ min FL | 6/person | Open year-round; restricted legal gear. |
| African pompano | 24″ min FL | 2/vessel | Vessel limit rather than a simple per-person allowance. |
| Permit — SPZ | 22″ min FL | 1/person; 2/vessel | Special Permit Zone closed Apr. 1–Jul. 31; currently reopened. |
| Cobia | 36″ min FL | 1/person; max 2/vessel | Vessel maximum controls. |
| King mackerel | 24″ min FL | Atlantic 2/person; Gulf including Monroe 3/person | Federal rules matter offshore. |
| Spanish mackerel | 12″ min FL | 15/person | Check applicable federal rules offshore. |
| Bluefish | 12″ min FL in Florida state rules | Atlantic state 3/person; Gulf 10/person | Atlantic federal for-hire/private bag rules differ. |
| Tripletail | 18″ min TL | 2/person | Measure before possession. |
| Dolphinfish / mahi | Atlantic 20″ FL; no Florida Gulf minimum listed | Atlantic 5/person, 30/vessel; Gulf 10/person, 60/vessel | For-hire captain/crew restrictions can apply. |
| Wahoo | No Florida minimum listed | 2/person | Federal rules may also apply. |
| Gulf red snapper | 16″ min TL | 2/person | Florida private season closed Aug. 15; reopens Sept. 1. |
| Atlantic red snapper | Florida state rule: 20″ min TL | Florida state rule: 2/person | State waters open under ordinary rule; federal South Atlantic closed. |
| Gray / mangrove snapper | State 10″ TL; Atlantic federal 12″ TL | State 5/person within state snapper aggregate | Biscayne National Park minimum is 12″ TL. |
| Mutton snapper | 18″ min TL | 5/person within state snapper aggregate | Biscayne minimum 19″ TL. |
| Gulf lane snapper | Florida state 10″ TL | 20/person | New April 2026 rule; excluded from state 10-snapper aggregate. |
| Cubera snapper | 12″ min TL | 10/person under 30″; max 2 over 30″ per harvester or vessel | Cubera 30″+ are outside the state 10-snapper aggregate. |
| Gulf gag grouper | 24″ min TL | 2/person within 4-grouper aggregate | 2026 season Sept. 1–30. |
| Gulf red grouper | 20″ min TL | 2/person within aggregate | Federal depth/season closures can apply offshore. |
| Greater amberjack — Gulf | 34″ min FL | 1/person | 2026 season Sept. 1–Oct. 13. |
| Greater amberjack — Atlantic | 28″ min FL | 1/person | Open Jan.–Mar. and May–Dec.; April closed. |
| Lesser amberjack / banded rudderfish | 14–22″ FL | 5/person combined | Protected slot applies. |
| Hogfish — Gulf | 14″ min FL | 5/person | Open year-round. |
| Hogfish — Atlantic/Monroe | 16″ min FL | 1/person | Season May 1–Oct. 31. |
| Gray triggerfish — Gulf | 15″ min FL | 1/person | Open Mar. 1–May 31 and Aug. 1–Dec. 31. |
| Gray triggerfish — Atlantic | 12″ min FL | 10/person | Open year-round. |
| Blueline tilefish — Atlantic | No minimum | 2/person within 3-fish grouper/tilefish aggregate | 2026 season May 1–Aug. 31. |
| Spiny lobster | Carapace >3″ | 6/person/day | Regular season Aug. 6–Mar. 31; measure in the water. |
| Stone crab claw | 2 7/8″ minimum | Only legal claws harvested | Season Oct. 15–May 1; closed May 2–Oct. 14. |
Snook, redfish and seatrout depend on where you are standing
Snook: current closure + next opening
Panhandle • Big Bend • Tampa Bay • Sarasota Bay
28–33″ TL when open • 1/person/day.
Reopens September 1 after the May–August summer closure.
Charlotte Harbor • Southwest
28–33″ TL • 1/person/day.
Reopens October 1.
Southeast • Indian River Lagoon • Northeast
28–32″ TL • 1/person/day.
Reopens September 1.
Red drum: vessel limit map without the map confusion
Spotted seatrout: 2026 regional table
| Region | Bag | Slot | Season / overslot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panhandle | 3/person | 15–19″ TL | February closed; one over 19″ under the applicable vessel/shore allowance. |
| Big Bend | 5/person | 15–19″ TL | Open year-round; overslot allowance applies. |
| Tampa Bay | 3/person | 15–19″ TL | Open year-round. |
| Sarasota Bay | 3/person | 15–19″ TL | Open year-round. |
| Charlotte Harbor | 3/person | 15–19″ TL | Open year-round. |
| Southwest | 3/person | 15–19″ TL | Open year-round. |
| Southeast | 3/person | 15–19″ TL | Open year-round; Biscayne National Park can add restrictions. |
| Indian River Lagoon | 2/person | 15–19″ TL | No overslot fish. Closed Nov. 1–Dec. 31. |
| Northeast | 3/person | 15–19″ TL | No overslot fish; open year-round. |
Biscayne National Park can require a larger fish than Florida’s general rule
Snapper, grouper, amberjack, hogfish, tilefish & triggerfish
Red snapper — Gulf
16″ TL • 2/person.
Private fall season begins Sept. 1.
Red snapper — Atlantic
Florida state rule: 20″ TL • 2/person.
Federal harvest remains closed pending any future authorization.
Gag grouper — Gulf
24″ TL • 2/person within 4-grouper aggregate.
Gag grouper — Atlantic
24″ TL; one gag or black within the 3-fish grouper/tilefish aggregate.
Updated 2026 season ended Aug. 1.
Greater amberjack — Gulf
34″ FL • 1/person.
Sept. 1–Oct. 13, 2026.
Hogfish — Atlantic/Monroe
16″ FL • 1/person.
May 1–Oct. 31.
Gray triggerfish — Gulf
15″ FL • 1/person.
Current Aug. 1–Dec. 31 open period.
Blueline tilefish — Atlantic
2/person within 3-fish grouper/tilefish aggregate.
Florida Gulf private red snapper — remaining 2026 dates
| Open period | Pattern |
|---|---|
| Sept. 1–Oct. 4 | Open daily. |
| Oct. 9–11, 16–18, 23–25 | Friday–Sunday weekends. |
| Oct. 30–Nov. 1 | Friday–Sunday. |
| Nov. 7–8, 14–15, 21–22 | Saturday–Sunday weekends. |
| Nov. 26–29 | Thanksgiving period. |
| Dec. 5–6, 12–13, 19–20 | Selected weekends. |
| Dec. 25–27 | Christmas weekend. |
| Jan. 1–4, 2027 | Final scheduled four-day period. |
The legal-size fish is not enough — your boat may need this gear ready
Correct hook
Gulf state waters: non-stainless, non-offset circle hooks with natural bait.
Atlantic natural-bait hook requirements vary north vs. south of 28° N.
Dehooking device
Required reef-fish equipment on applicable vessel trips.
Descending device
Must meet the applicable state/federal rule and be ready for use where required.
Venting tool
Florida’s state reef rules allow the required descending device or venting-tool option in applicable circumstances.
Coast-specific natural-bait hook rule
| Water | Natural-bait hook requirement | Release gear |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf state waters | Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hook. | Dehooking device + descending device or venting tool rigged and ready. |
| Gulf federal waters | Non-stainless steel circle hook under applicable reef rules. | Dehooking + required descending/venting equipment. |
| Atlantic state — north of 28° N | Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hook. | Dehooking + descending device or venting tool. |
| Atlantic state — south of 28° N | Non-stainless steel hook. | Dehooking + descending device or venting tool. |
| Atlantic federal | North of 28° N: non-stainless/non-offset circle; south of 28° N: non-stainless hook. | Check current federal descending-device requirement before departure. |
Legal species does not mean legal place to spear it
- No spearfishing within 100 yards of a public swimming beach, commercial/public fishing pier or public-fishing bridge.
- No spearfishing within 100 feet of an above-water jetty, except the qualifying final 500 yards of a jetty extending more than 1,500 yards offshore.
- Additional local restrictions apply, including the Upper Keys spearfishing restriction area.
100-YARD
SPEAR BUFFER
Common Florida species you should not assume are spear-legal
Spearing prohibited.
Spearing/gigging prohibited.
Use legal listed gear only.
Spearing prohibited.
Hook-and-line fishery.
Spearing prohibited.
Restricted legal gear.
Do not puncture/crush.
Targeting sharks from the beach creates extra requirements
Shore-based shark anglers age 16 and older need the required educational course and free annual Shore-based Shark Fishing Permit.
Non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks are required under Florida’s shark rule when using live or dead natural bait.
If you cannot positively identify it as harvestable, treat it as protected and release it while minimizing harm.
Prohibited sharks must remain in the water with their gills submerged while being released. Florida also requires harvested sharks to remain in whole condition until landed.
Three similar-looking fish, three different regulations
Florida pompano
11″ FL6/person • open year-round.
African pompano
24″ FLMaximum 2/vessel.
Permit — Special Permit Zone
22″ FL1/person • 2/vessel • closed Apr. 1–Jul. 31.
Lobster and stone crab use completely different measuring points
Spiny lobster
>3″ carapaceRegular season: Aug. 6–Mar. 31. Daily bag: 6/person.
Must be measured in the water before possession. Measuring device must be available.
Stone crab
2 7/8″ clawOpen Oct. 15–May 1. Closed May 2–Oct. 14.
Measure claw in a straight line from the elbow to the tip of the lower immovable finger.
The “2 fish or 100 pounds” default is not the marine-life aquarium rule
Combined daily aggregate unless a specific species rule says otherwise.
Five of any one marine-life species within the 20-organism aggregate, unless otherwise noted.
Normally no more than 10 of one species within the two-day possession total.
“Unregulated” still has a Florida recreational default limit
Whichever is more, per person per day for qualifying unregulated marine species.
A fish is not “unregulated” merely because it is missing from your favorite quick chart. Search FWC’s live species list first.
Do not fillet away the evidence needed to prove species and size
Snook
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore.
Red drum
Whole-condition requirement applies until landed.
Reef fish
Many Florida snapper, grouper and reef-fish rules require the fish to remain whole through landing.
What Florida saltwater anglers may need before targeting the fish
Species / activity add-ons
Shore/fixed structure only; not a substitute for vessel, swimming or diving privileges.
Required to harvest snook when an applicable license is required.
Course + annual permit for qualifying shore-based shark anglers age 16+.
State Reef Fish Angler designation
Some Florida saltwater species are release-only or permit-controlled
Bonefish
Recreational catch-and-release fishery under Florida rules.
Tarpon
Routine fishery is catch-and-release; harvest is controlled through Florida’s special tag framework.
Goliath grouper
General harvest prohibited except under Florida’s limited permit/tag program during its designated season and areas.
Nassau grouper
Do not apply ordinary grouper bag rules.
Florida saltwater pre-trip checklist
- Save the exact species rule. Do not rely only on a generic “Florida size limits” screenshot.
- Save your coast and management region. This is essential for snook, redfish and seatrout.
- Confirm whether the fishing spot is state or federal water.
- Write down size + measurement type. Example: 24″ FL is not measured like 24″ TL.
- Write the individual and vessel limits separately.
- Check the season again on departure day.
- Carry the required license, permit or free designation.
- Pack reef-release gear before leaving the dock.
- Keep regulated fish in the required whole condition.
- If identification is uncertain, release rather than guess.
Florida rules anglers commonly apply to the wrong fish or place
Measuring to the tail tip when the rule says fork length.
Assuming a state-water season automatically extends offshore.
Florida’s 2026 nine-region system superseded the older framework.
Gulf state rule changed April 1, 2026.
Treating an EFP application as an authorized federal season.
Redfish, cobia and other fisheries use boat-level limits.
Harvest is closed statewide on Aug. 15.
Indian River Lagoon remains catch-and-release.
Park minimum lengths can be larger than statewide numbers.
Hooks are only one part of the required gear package.
Age 16+ shore shark anglers have a separate course/permit requirement.
Whole-condition rules can make early cleaning illegal.
Ask FWC the question in a way that gets a usable answer
Main FWC contact shown on current recreational regulation pages.
“I’m fishing [exact location] on [date], targeting [species] from [shore/private boat/charter]. Can you confirm the current measurement method, legal size, bag and vessel limit, season, management region, gear and state/federal-water rule?”
Official sources behind the practical tables above
The useful rules have already been translated into the article. Open these pages only when you need today’s final confirmation, exact legal text or a transaction.
Quick answers anglers need before keeping a fish
How far do Florida state waters extend offshore?
Florida state waters generally extend three nautical miles from shore on the Atlantic side and nine nautical miles on the Gulf side. Species-specific state rules can sometimes extend into adjacent federal waters, so the boundary alone is not the final regulation check.
How does Florida measure total length?
Total length is measured in a straight line from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the compressed tail while the fish lies on its side.
What is the Florida redfish size limit?
Red drum in Florida harvest regions use an 18–27 inch total-length slot with a one-fish-per-person daily bag. Vessel limits vary by management region, and the Indian River Lagoon is catch-and-release only.
Can I keep snook in Florida on August 15, 2026?
No. Recreational snook harvest is closed in all nine Florida management regions on August 15, 2026. Most regions reopen September 1, while Charlotte Harbor and Southwest reopen October 1.
What is the Florida Gulf red snapper size limit?
Florida’s Gulf red snapper minimum is 16 inches total length with a two-fish-per-person daily bag under the recreational rule. Legal harvest also depends on the applicable private or federal for-hire season.
Is Florida Gulf red snapper open for private anglers today?
No. On August 15, 2026, Florida’s private recreational Gulf red snapper season is between its summer and fall openings. The summer period ended July 31 and the scheduled fall period begins September 1.
Is Atlantic red snapper currently open in federal waters off Florida?
No. The original 2026 state-management EFPs were halted and later rescinded. Revised EFP applications are under federal review, but South Atlantic federal recreational red snapper harvest remains closed unless NOAA subsequently authorizes a new legal season.
What changed for Florida Gulf lane snapper in 2026?
Effective April 1, 2026, Florida Gulf state waters use a 10-inch total-length minimum and a 20-fish-per-person bag for lane snapper. Lane snapper are excluded from Florida’s state 10-snapper aggregate under that Gulf state-water rule.
What is Florida’s flounder limit?
Recreational flounder must be at least 14 inches total length, with a five-fish-per-person daily bag. Harvest is closed October 15 through November 30.
What is the Florida sheepshead limit?
Sheepshead must be at least 12 inches total length and the recreational daily bag is eight per person. A 50-fish vessel limit applies during March and April.
Do Florida reef anglers need special gear?
Yes. Applicable reef-fish trips can require non-stainless hooks, a dehooking device and a descending device or venting tool. Exact hook and release-tool requirements depend on Gulf versus Atlantic and state versus federal waters.
Do I need a permit to fish for sharks from a Florida beach?
Shore-based shark anglers age 16 and older must complete the required educational course and obtain Florida’s no-cost annual Shore-based Shark Fishing Permit.
Do not ask only “Is it big enough?”
The safer Florida question is: “Is this exact species, at this exact length, in this exact region and water, legal to possess today with my bag count, vessel count, gear and permits?”
Regulation review completed . Same-day FWC/NOAA verification is recommended for dynamic offshore seasons and emergency fishery actions.
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