Florida fishing regulations — size, bag limits & license

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Florida

Species	Bag limit	Min size	Open season
Common SnookFWC recreational saltwater regulations — Snook; Chapter 68B, F.A.C.	1/day	71.1–81.3 cm slot	Feb 1 – May 31; Sep 1 – Dec 14; Mar 1 – Apr 30; Sep 1 – Nov 30
Slot: 28–32" Atlantic; 28–33" Gulf (most regions). Snook permit required for harvest. Closed seasons differ by region — Panhandle/Big Bend/Tampa/Sarasota and Charlotte Harbor/SW Gulf each have distinct closures. Always verify against current FWC zone map before fishing.
Mutton SnapperFWC recreational saltwater regulations — Snappers; Chapter 68B, F.A.C.	10/day	min 40.6 cm	Jan 1 – Dec 31
In Monroe County (Florida Keys), combined snapper aggregate bag limit may apply.
Red DrumFWC recreational saltwater regulations — Red Drum; Chapter 68B, F.A.C.	1/day	45.7–68.6 cm slot	Jan 1 – Dec 31
Strict 18–27" slot statewide — fish under 18" or over 27" must be released. Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is catch-and-release-only — no retention permitted in IRL waters.
TarponFWC recreational saltwater regulations — Tarpon; Chapter 68B, F.A.C.	1/day	min 190.5 cm	—
A tarpon tag is required to harvest tarpon. Catch-and-release strongly encouraged. Harvest heavily restricted.

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Florida residents 16–64 must purchase a Saltwater Fishing License; $17/yr (short-term rates available)., non-residents Non-residents 16+: $17/3-day, $30/7-day, $47/annual.
saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.

FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. Always verify current rules at myfwc.com before fishing. Seasons and limits change annually.

Fishing spots in Florida