Oyster Toadfish
Opsanus tau
How to tell it
Camouflaged grumpy blob with a huge mouth; croaks.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limit | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limit | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| New York | 10" | 3 | Jul 16 - May 14NY DEC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 3 lb 0.32 oz | 2025 · Niantic Bay | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 3 lb 2 oz | 2017 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| North Carolina | 4 lb 15 oz | 1994 · Ocracoke | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
On the table
Edible, looks argue otherwise.
In the app
Point the camera at a oyster toadfish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about oyster toadfish
What is the size limit for oyster toadfish?
It depends on the state. New York: 10".
How many oyster toadfish can you keep?
Florida (Atlantic): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate; Florida (Gulf): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate; New York: 3.
When is oyster toadfish season?
New York: Jul 16 - May 14.
What is the record oyster toadfish?
4 lb 15 oz in North Carolina (1994), Ocracoke. Other states’ records are in the table.