Thursday May 17, 2012  

Florida Saltwater Fishing Regulations

Basic recreational saltwater fishing regulations for Florida's Atlantic Ocean

Lagooner Fishing Guides has posted some fishing regulations of popular inshore & offshore gamefish species that are caught on our Atlantic coastline. This is provided as a courtesey to our anglers and customers to help them have a better understanding of Florida Wildlife possession and size limits. Fishing regulations change on a regular basis and for a better understanding of the size and bag limits, please visit the Florida Wildlife Commission's site at www.myfwc.com

Florida Fishing Bag LimitsThis brief summary of regulations governs the taking of saltwater species in Florida state waters for personal use and not for commercial fishing laws. The absence of complete laws, rules and regulations in this summary does not relieve persons from compliance with those laws, rules or regulations. State waters extend to 3 nautical miles on the Atlantic and 9 nautical miles on the Gulf. Federal rules apply beyond state waters. For species that do not have an established bag limit, more than 100 pounds or two fish per harvester per day (whichever is greater), is considered commercial quantities. A saltwater products license and commercial vessel registration are required to harvest commercial quantities of unregulated species. It is illegal to sell recreationally harvested fish without compliance with commercial license requirements.

In emergencies or if state fisheries, wildlife, or boating laws are being violated--call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or for cellular phone user throughout the state, dial #FWC or *FWC depending on your location, or hailed on VHF Channel 16.

RESOURCE HOTLINES

  • Marine Fish Kills: 800-636-0511
    Enviro-Line: 800-828-9338
    To Purchase Fishing Licenses: 888-347-4356
    Division of Law Enforcement: 888-404-3922
    Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 727-896-8626 www.floridamarine.org
    Fish Tags: 800-367-4461
    TO REPORT WILDLIFE LAW VIOLATIONS, call Wildlife Alert Network, 888-404-FWCC (3922)

FOR CURRENT FEDERAL REGULATUIONS AND INFORMATION

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Florida Fish Regulations

Redfish, Red Drum, Puppy Drum, Channel Bass (Not less than 18" or more than 27" and only 1 fish per harvester per day.)

Common Snook, Swordspine Snook, Black Snook, Fat Snook, Robalo (Not less than 28" or more than 32" Atlantic - Not less than 28" or more than 33" Gulf of Mexico, Monroe County, Everglades Nat. Park
Season Closed Dec. 15–Jan. 31, June–Aug. Atlantic
Dec.–Feb., May–Aug. Gulf of Mexico, Monroe County, Everglades Nat. Park

)

Cobia, Ling, Crab Eater, Lemon Fish (Minimum size 33" to fork 1 per harvester or 6 per vessel per day, whichever is less.)

Black Drum, Drum Fish, Drum (Not less than 14" or more than 24". Five per harvester per day. May possess 1 over 24")

Spotted Seatrout, Sea Trout, Speckled Trout, Gator Trout (Not less than 15" or more than 20" (statewide) except one fish over 20" per person. 4 per harvester per day South Region 5 per harvester per day N.E. and N.W. Regions.
Season Closure: Nov. & Dec. S. Region / Feb. N.E. and N.W.)

Tarpon, Sabalo, Silver King (Requires $50 tarpon tag to possess or harvest and two fish possession limit.)

Lady Fish, Poor Man's Tarpon (No limit or size regulation.)

Blue Fish, Bluefish (12" minimum size to the fork, limit of 10 per day per angler.)

Crevalle Jack, Jack Fish (No limit or size regulation.)

Dolphin, Mahi Mahi, Dorado (20" minimum to fork of tail, 10 fish per angler and not to exceed 60 per vessel possession limit.)

King Mackerel, King Fish, Kingfish, Mackerel (24" to fork in tail minimum size limit, limit of two per angler per day.)

Spanish Mackerel (12" minimum to fork in tail, 15 per angler per day.)

Tripletail, Triple Tail, Bouy Bass (15" minimum size limit, 2 per angler per day.)

Cubera Snapper, Snapper (Not less than 12" or more than 30", Included within 10 per harvester per day Snapper aggregate bag limit if under 30", Allowed 2 Cubera Snapper over 30" per harvester or vessel per day, whichever is less. 30" or larger not included within the Snapper aggregate bag limit.)

Mangrove Snapper (10" minimum size limit, five per angler per day.)

Amber Jack (Must be at least 28" fork of the tail in the Atlantic; 30" fork of the tail in the Gulf. One per harvester per day.)

Gag Grouper, Grey Grouper (There are several types of grouper in Florida with the Grey or Gag being one of the most popular. Please look at the FWC literature for additional information regarding this and other grouper species. 24" minimum in the Atlantic with two fish per angler per day possession limit.

NOAA Fisheries Service has announced that effective January 4, 2010, all recreational and commercial harvest of grouper in Atlantic federal waters is prohibited. This interim rule will be effective until June 2, 2010 and could be extended for another 186-day period.)

Red Snapper, American Red Snapper (20" Atlantic Ocean; 16" Gulf of Mexico minimum size, 2 per angler per day.

NOAA Fisheries Service has announced that effective January 4, 2010, all recreational and commercial harvest of red snapper in Atlantic federal waters is prohibited. This interim rule will be effective until June 2, 2010 and could be extended for another 186-day period.)

Sailfish, Sail Fish (63" minimum from tip of bottom jaw to fork of tail. Limit of one per day per angler. Additional permits are required in federal waters.)

Goliath Grouper or Jewfish (It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange)