Florida (Gulf)
saltwater rules

Q: Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Florida?

A saltwater fishing license is required for Florida residents 16–64 and all non-residents 16 and older. Residents 65 and over and children under 16 are exempt; anyone fishing from a licensed charter, party boat or licensed pier is covered by that vessel's or pier's license.

Q: How far out do Florida (Gulf) state waters go?

9 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council sets the federal rules, and where Florida (Gulf) has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

Q: What if a fish is not listed for Florida?

Florida sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day, whichever is greater. Season: Open year-round. Florida default for unregulated saltwater species (e.g. ladyfish, crevalle jack, pinfish, white grunt, cero mackerel, bonito/little tunny, spadefish, sea catfishes, menhaden, most rays and stingrays).

Q: Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Q: How current are these Florida (Gulf) rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sets the rules inside Florida (Gulf)’s state waters, out to 9 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council writes the federal rules. Florida’s rules split at the Keys: this page is the Gulf coast.

Nearby waters: Florida (Atlantic) · Alabama

177 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 4 of them carry a federal-waters rule because Florida (Gulf) lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

African Pompano

Alectis ciliaris

Size
24 in fork length min

Bag
2 per person; 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Albacore

Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Florida (Gulf) lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Almaco Jack

Almaco Seriola rivoliana

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Florida (Gulf) lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 20-reef-fish aggregate (20 per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
American Eel

Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

Size
9 in TL min

Bag
25 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Limit set under FWC freshwater/ASMFC rules; FWC's saltwater unregulated page also lists eels — rules conflict, using the stricter.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
American Shad

Alosa sapidissima

Size
No harvest

Bag
Catch-and-release only

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC approved a catch-and-release-only rule Aug 2026; treated as no-harvest pending confirmation of the effective date.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Florida (Gulf) lists none of its own.

Size
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"

Bag
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026

Season
Open under in-season limits

Open

HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Croaker

Hardhead Micropogonias undulatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
100 lb per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gulf state waters including Monroe County.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Guitarfish

Pseudobatos lentiginosus

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not on FWC's prohibited list (sawfish, eagle rays, and sturgeon are) — the default unregulated-species limit applies.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hooks required with natural bait; shore-based shark permit required.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

All sturgeon harvest prohibited in Florida.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Thread Herring

Threadfin, Greenie Opisthonema oglinum

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per person per day (whichever is more)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Unregulated species in Florida — the FWC default limit applies. In practice 100 lb covers any bait-well; there is no special bait exemption.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Ballyhoo

'Hoo, Balao Hemiramphus brasiliensis

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit for bait

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Banded Rudderfish

Seriola zonata

Size
14-22 in fork length slot

Bag
5 per person (lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish combined)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bandtail Puffer

Puffer Sphoeroides spengleri

Size
No size limit

Bag
See note

Season
Year-round

Check

Florida prohibits puffer harvest in certain east-coast counties (FWC's Puffer Fish Prohibition); puffers carry saxitoxin and are not a food fish. Check FWC before keeping one.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Belted Sandfish

Serranus subligarius

Size
No size limit

Bag
See note

Season
Year-round

Check

Small serranids (hamlets, basslets) fall under Florida's Marine Life rule; check whether belted sandfish is listed before keeping any.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Bermuda Chub

Chopa Kyphosus sectatrix

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Black Drum

Drum Pogonias cromis

Size
14-24 in slot

Bag
5 per person (one may be over 24 in)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Black Durgon

Black triggerfish Melichthys niger

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species). Triggerfish are counted under the Marine Life aggregate.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Black Grouper

Mycteroperca bonaci

Size
24 in TL min

Bag
Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Black Margate

Pompon Anisotremus surinamensis

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Unregulated — the default limit applies.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Black Sea Bass

Sea bass Centropristis striata

Size
10 in TL min

Bag
100 lb per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blackfin Snapper

Lutjanus buccanella

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blackfin Tuna

Thunnus atlanticus

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per person, whichever is greater

Season
Open year-round

Open

No HMS permit required.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Angelfish

Blue angel Holacanthus bermudensis

Size
1¾–8" slot (Holacanthus angelfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Size
99 in lower jaw fork length min

Bag
1 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Landings must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours; HMS permit required in federal waters.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Parrotfish

Blue parrot Scarus coeruleus

Size
12" max (parrotfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Blue Shark

Blue dog Prionace glauca

Size
54 in fork length min

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Tang

Blue surgeonfish Acanthurus coeruleus

Size
9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Blue Tilapia

Tilapia Oreochromis aureus

Size
No size limit

Bag
Nonnative — no bag limit listed

Season
Year-round

Check

Freshwater species — FWC freshwater rules apply (a saltwater license doesn't cover it). No bag or size limit is listed for nonnative fish; check FWC.
FWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations) · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Blueback Herring

River herring Alosa aestivalis

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person (shad and blueback herring combined)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Hook and line only.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Bluefish

Chopper, Snapper blue Pomatomus saltatrix

Size
12 in fork length min

Bag
10 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gulf rule includes Monroe County.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blueline Tilefish

Caulolatilus microps

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per person, whichever is greater

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bluestriped Grunt

Haemulon sciurus

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Grunts (except porkfish) are unregulated in Florida — the default limit applies.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bonefish

Gray ghost Albula vulpes

Size
Catch-and-release only

Bag
No harvest

Season
Catch-and-release year-round

Put it back

Catch-and-release only fishery since 2013.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Size
54 in fork length min

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Butterfly Peacock Bass

Peacock bass, Butterfly peacock Cichla ocellaris

Size
Only one 17" or longer

Bag
2 per person per day

Season
Year-round

Open

Freshwater species — FWC freshwater rules apply (a saltwater license doesn't cover it).
FWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations) · checked 2026-09-16
Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezii

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Cero Mackerel

Painted mackerel Scomberomorus regalis

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Unregulated in Florida — the default limit applies.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Checkered Puffer

Puffer, Blowfish Sphoeroides testudineus

Size
No size limit

Bag
See note

Season
Year-round

Check

Florida prohibits puffer harvest in certain east-coast counties (FWC's Puffer Fish Prohibition); puffers carry saxitoxin and are not a food fish. Check FWC before keeping one.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Cobia

Ling, Lemonfish Rachycentron canadum

Size
36 in fork length min

Bag
1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Common Snook

Centropomus undecimalis

Size
28-33 in slot

Bag
1 per person

Season
Closed Dec 1-end of Feb and May 1-Aug 31

Open

Snook permit required; Charlotte Harbor/Southwest zones stay closed through Sep 30.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Common Thresher

Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

Size
54 in fork length min

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Coney

Cephalopholis fulva

Size
No size limit

Bag
Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Cownose Ray

Rhinoptera bonasus

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per person (state default)

Season
Open year-round

Open

New FWC cownose ray regulations were approved Aug 2026 and are pending — verify current rule.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Creole Wrasse

Clepticus parrae

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Cubera Snapper

Lutjanus cyanopterus

Size
12 in TL min

Bag
10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Cubera over 30 in: max 2 per person or vessel, excluded from the aggregate.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Doctorfish

Doctor fish Acanthurus chirurgus

Size
9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Dog Snapper

Dogtooth snapper Lutjanus jocu

Size
12 in TL min

Bag
10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list; release without delay, gills submerged.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Florida Pompano

Trachinotus carolinus

Size
11 in fork length min

Bag
6 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
French Angelfish

Frenchie Pomacanthus paru

Size
1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
French Grunt

Haemulon flavolineatum

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Unregulated — the default limit applies.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Gag Grouper

Gray grouper Mycteroperca microlepis

Size
24 in TL min

Bag
2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
2026 Gulf season: Sep 1-30

Open

For-hire captain and crew may not retain.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Golden Tilefish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per person, whichever is greater

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Goldentail Moray

Gymnothorax miliaris

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Goliath Grouper

Epinephelus itajara

Size
No harvest without permit

Bag
No harvest (200-tag lottery permit program only)

Season
Closed except permit season Mar 1-May 31

Put it back

Lottery permit holders: 1 fish, 24-36 in slot, Mar 1-May 31; Atlantic Keys/Martin County and federal waters excluded.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gray Angelfish

Black angelfish Pomacanthus arcuatus

Size
1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Gray Triggerfish

Trigger Balistes capriscus

Size
15 in fork length min

Bag
1 per person

Season
Open Mar 1-May 31 and Aug 1-Dec 31

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Graysby

Cephalopholis cruentata

Size
No size limit

Bag
Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Great Barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda

Size
15-36 in FL slot in Collier-Martin counties; no size limit elsewhere

Bag
2 per person; 6 per vessel (regulated counties)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Slot and vessel limits apply Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin (1 over 36 in allowed per person/vessel); default limits elsewhere.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Great White Shark

White shark Carcharodon carcharias

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Greater Amberjack

AJ, Reef donkey Seriola dumerili

Size
34 in fork length min

Bag
1 per person

Season
2026 Gulf season: Sep 1-Oct 13

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Green Moray

Gymnothorax funebris

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Gulf Flounder

Paralichthys albigutta

Size
14 in TL min

Bag
5 per person (all flounder species combined)

Season
Closed Oct 15-Nov 30

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gulf Menhaden

Pogy Brevoortia patronus

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit for bait

Season
Open year-round

Open

Unregulated baitfish for recreational cast-netting.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Gulf Toadfish

Mudfish Opsanus beta

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per day, landed alive (marine-life rules)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Toadfish are on Florida's marine-life list — must be kept alive; not a food-harvest species.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Hickory Shad

Alosa mediocris

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person (shad and blueback herring combined)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Hook and line only.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
High-Hat

High-hat Pareques acuminatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Hogfish

Hog snapper Lachnolaimus maximus

Size
14 in fork length min

Bag
5 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gulf zone = state waters north of Cape Sable.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Jackknife-Fish

Jackknife-fish Equetus lanceolatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
King Mackerel

King, Kingfish, Smoker Scomberomorus cavalla

Size
24 in fork length min

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gulf rule includes Monroe County.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lane Snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Size
10 in TL min

Bag
20 per person (not in snapper aggregate)

Season
Open year-round

Open

New Gulf rule effective Apr 1, 2026.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Leatherjack

Leatherjacket Oligoplites saurus

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lesser Amberjack

Seriola fasciata

Size
14-22 in fork length slot

Bag
5 per person (lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish combined)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Littlehead Porgy

Calamus proridens

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

No species-specific rule — Florida's default limit for unregulated species applies.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Mahi-Mahi

Dolphin, Dorado Coryphaena hippurus

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Mahogany Snapper

Ojanco Lutjanus mahogoni

Size
12 in TL min

Bag
10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Mangrove Snapper

Gray snapper, Mango Lutjanus griseus

Size
10 in TL min

Bag
5 per person within 10-snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Marbled Grouper

Sicklefish grouper Dermatolepis inermis

Size
No size limit

Bag
See note

Season
Year-round

Check

Not named in the snapper-grouper rules we track; grouper aggregate rules may apply. Check before keeping one — a rare, slow-growing species.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Mayan Cichlid

Atomic sunfish Mayaheros urophthalmus

Size
No size limit

Bag
Nonnative — no bag limit listed

Season
Year-round

Check

Freshwater species — FWC freshwater rules apply (a saltwater license doesn't cover it). No bag or size limit is listed for nonnative fish; check FWC.
FWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations) · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Midnight Parrotfish

Midnight parrot Scarus coelestinus

Size
12" max (parrotfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Mutton Snapper

Lutjanus analis

Size
18 in TL min

Bag
5 per person within 10-snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Nassau Grouper

Epinephelus striatus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Northern Puffer

Sphoeroides maculatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb default where open

Season
Open year-round where allowed

Open

Harvest of Sphoeroides puffers prohibited in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties (68B-3.007, saxitoxin risk).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Size
54 in fork length min

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Ocean Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish Acanthurus tractus

Size
9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Orange Filefish

Aluterus schoepfii

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Marine life (aquarium) species: must be landed and kept alive.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Oyster Toadfish

Opsanus tau

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Toadfish are on FWC's marine life list; must be landed and kept alive.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Palometa

Longfin pompano Trachinotus goodei

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Florida's pompano/permit rule covers Florida pompano, permit, and African pompano — palometa isn't included.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Permit

Trachinotus falcatus

Size
11-22 in fork length slot (outside Special Permit Zone)

Bag
2 per person; 1 may be over 22 in (max 2 over 22 in per vessel)

Season
Open year-round outside SPZ

Open

Special Permit Zone (south FL/Keys): 22 in FL min, 1 per person, 2 per vessel, closed Apr 1-Jul 31.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Planehead Filefish

Foolfish Stephanolepis hispida

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Marine life (aquarium) species: must be landed and kept alive.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

Size
54 in fork length min

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Porcupinefish

Spiny puffer Diodon hystrix

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Marine life (aquarium) species: must be landed and kept alive.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Porkfish

Anisotremus virginicus

Size
1.5 in min

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Marine life (aquarium) species: must be landed and kept alive; sale prohibited.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Puddingwife

Halichoeres radiatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Purplemouth Moray

Gymnothorax vicinus

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Queen Angelfish

Queen angel Holacanthus ciliaris

Size
1¾–8" slot (Holacanthus angelfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Queen Snapper

Etelis oculatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Queen Triggerfish

Old wife Balistes vetula

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC triggerfish page treats queen triggerfish as a marine life species that must be landed alive; food-harvest treatment unverified.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Rainbow Parrotfish

Rainbow parrot Scarus guacamaia

Size
12" max (parrotfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Red Drum

Redfish, Puppy drum, Channel bass, Spottail bass Sciaenops ocellatus

Size
18-27 in slot

Bag
1 per person; vessel limit 2 (Tampa Bay through Southeast) or 4 (Panhandle, Big Bend, Northeast)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Indian River Lagoon region is catch-and-release only.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Grouper

Epinephelus morio

Size
20 in TL min

Bag
2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Hind

Epinephelus guttatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Lionfish

Lionfish Pterois volitans

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Invasive; removal encouraged, excluded from default limits; no license needed with certain gear.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Porgy

Pagrus pagrus

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per person, whichever is greater

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Snapper

Genuine red, American red Lutjanus campechanus

Size
16 in TL min

Bag
2 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)

Season
2026: May 22 - Jul 31; Sep 1 - Oct 4; Oct-Nov weekends through Nov 22

Open

140-day 2026 season; State Reef Fish Angler registration required; reopens Sep 1.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Redtail Parrotfish

Sparisoma chrysopterum

Size
12" max (parrotfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Rock Beauty

Rock beauty angelfish Holacanthus tricolor

Size
2–5" slot (rock beauty)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Rock Hind

Epinephelus adscensionis

Size
No size limit

Bag
Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Size
63 in lower jaw fork length min

Bag
1 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Landings must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sailors Choice

Haemulon parra

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Unregulated grunt — the default limit applies.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Sand Seatrout

White trout, Sand trout Cynoscion arenarius

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Seatrout size and bag rules cover spotted seatrout only — sand trout falls to the default limit. Texas and Louisiana have no limits either.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sand Tiger

Carcharias taurus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scaled Sardine

Whitebait, Pilchard Harengula jaguana

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit for bait

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scamp Grouper

Broomtail Mycteroperca phenax

Size
16 in TL min

Bag
Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Schoolmaster Snapper

Lutjanus apodus

Size
10 in TL min

Bag
10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scrawled Filefish

Aluterus scriptus

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Marine life (aquarium) species: must be landed and kept alive.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Sea Bream

Western Atlantic seabream Archosargus rhomboidalis

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Sheepshead rules don't apply to this species — the default limit does.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Sheepshead

Convict fish Archosargus probatocephalus

Size
12 in TL min

Bag
8 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

50-fish vessel limit per trip during March and April.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Silk Snapper

Lutjanus vivanus

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Silky Shark

Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Skipjack Tuna

Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Florida (Gulf) lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Slippery Dick

Halichoeres bivittatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Smalltooth Sawfish

Pristis pectinata

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Endangered; state and federal harvest prohibition — release immediately.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Smooth Puffer

Rabbitfish, Blowfish Lagocephalus laevigatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
See note

Season
Year-round

Check

Florida prohibits puffer harvest in certain east-coast counties (FWC's Puffer Fish Prohibition); puffers carry saxitoxin and are not a food fish. Check FWC before keeping one.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Smooth Trunkfish

Trunkfish Lactophrys triqueter

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Snowy Grouper

Hyporthodus niveatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Southern Flounder

Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Size
14 in TL min

Bag
5 per person (all flounder species combined)

Season
Closed Oct 15-Nov 30

Open

Applies to Gulf, southern, summer and fringed flounder statewide.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Southern Puffer

Sphoeroides nephelus

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb default where open

Season
Open year-round where allowed

Open

Harvest of Sphoeroides puffers prohibited in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties (68B-3.007, saxitoxin risk).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spanish Hogfish

Spanish hog Bodianus rufus

Size
2–8" slot (Spanish hogfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

Size
12 in fork length min

Bag
15 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spanish Sardine

Sardinella aurita

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit for bait

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Speckled Hind

Hyporthodus drummondhayi

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per vessel within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Size
54 in fork length min

Bag
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Spot

Leiostomus xanthurus

Size
No size limit

Bag
100 lb per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gulf state waters including Monroe County.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spotted Drum

Equetus punctatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Spotted Eagle Ray

Aetobatus narinari

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited species (68B-44).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spotted Goatfish

Goatfish Pseudupeneus maculatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Spotted Moray

Gymnothorax moringa

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Spotted Seatrout

Speck, Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus

Size
15-19 in TL slot

Bag
3 per person (Big Bend region: 5)

Season
Open year-round (Panhandle region closed February)

Open

One fish over 19 in allowed per vessel (or per shore angler); captain/crew excluded.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Squirrelfish

Holocentrus adscensionis

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine-life aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Treated as a marine life (aquarium) species under the Other Marine Life category — confirm listing.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Stoplight Parrotfish

Stoplight parrot Sparisoma viride

Size
12" max (parrotfish)

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Striped Bass

Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

Size
No size limit statewide (Suwannee system: 18 in min)

Bag
20 combined striped/white/sunshine bass, max 6 of 24 in or longer

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC freshwater rule that governs coastal rivers; Suwannee River system limited to 3 striped bass at 18 in min.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Striped Mullet

Mugil cephalus

Size
No size limit

Bag
50 per person (all mullet species combined)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Vessel limit 50 Sep 1-Jan 31, 100 Feb 1-Aug 31; local rules in Pinellas and Charlotte counties.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Summer Flounder

Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

Size
14 in TL min

Bag
5 per person (all flounder species combined)

Season
Closed Oct 15-Nov 30

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Size
47 in lower jaw fork length min

Bag
1 per person; max 4 per private vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

HMS permit required in federal waters; report landings to NOAA within 24 hours.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tarpon

Silver king Megalops atlanticus

Size
Catch-and-release only

Bag
Catch and release (one $50 tag per year for record pursuit only)

Season
Catch-and-release year-round

Put it back

Tarpon over 40 in must remain in the water; hook and line only.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tiger Grouper

Mycteroperca tigris

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within grouper aggregate (3 Atlantic / 4 Gulf)

Season
Open year-round

Open

All groupers count toward Florida's aggregate; State Reef Fish Angler designation required from private boats.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

FWC prohibited shark list.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tripletail

Lobotes surinamensis

Size
18 in TL min

Bag
2 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Hook and line only.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Unicorn Filefish

Unicorn leatherjacket Aluterus monoceros

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate

Season
Year-round

Open

Marine Life rule: hand-held nets, drop nets, barrier nets, and slurp guns only; 2-day possession limit of 40 (10 per species).
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Vermilion Snapper

Beeliner, B-liner Rhomboplites aurorubens

Size
10 in TL min

Bag
10 per person (not in snapper aggregate)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Wahoo

Ono Acanthocybium solandri

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Warsaw Grouper

Hyporthodus nigritus

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per vessel within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Weakfish

Gray trout, Squeteague Cynoscion regalis

Size
12 in TL min in NE management zone

Bag
1 per person in NE zone; 100 lb per person elsewhere

Season
Open year-round

Open

Zone rule applies FL-GA line to south end of Amelia Island (Nassau County); includes sand seatrout hybrids.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
White Marlin

Kajikia albida

Size
66 in lower jaw fork length min

Bag
1 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Landings must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
White Mullet

Mugil curema

Size
No size limit

Bag
50 per person (all mullet species combined)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Vessel limit 50 Sep 1-Jan 31, 100 Feb 1-Aug 31.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellow Jack

Caranx bartholomaei

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 fish or 100 lb per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Unregulated — the default limit applies.
FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Yellowedge Grouper

Hyporthodus flavolimbatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowfin Grouper

Fireback, Princess rockfish Mycteroperca venenosa

Size
20 in TL min

Bag
Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowmouth Grouper

Mycteroperca interstitialis

Size
20 in TL min

Bag
Up to 4 within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowtail Snapper

Ocyurus chrysurus

Size
12 in TL min

Bag
10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)

Season
Open year-round

Open

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Every other species

Florida default for unregulated saltwater species (e.g. ladyfish, crevalle jack, pinfish, white grunt, cero mackerel, bonito/little tunny, spadefish, sea catfishes, menhaden, most rays and stingrays).

Size: No size limit
Bag: 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day, whichever is greater
Season: Open year-round

FWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

A saltwater fishing license is required for Florida residents 16–64 and all non-residents 16 and older. Residents 65 and over and children under 16 are exempt; anyone fishing from a licensed charter, party boat or licensed pier is covered by that vessel's or pier's license.
Florida residents fishing from shore or a structure fixed to shore need the free shoreline saltwater license unless they hold a regular saltwater license or another exemption.
The free State Reef Fish Angler designation is required for anglers 16 and older harvesting reef fish (snappers, groupers, amberjacks, triggerfish and others) from a private boat — including anglers 65+ who are otherwise license-exempt. It renews annually.
Snook and spiny lobster each need their own permit on top of the saltwater license.

Get a Florida license

Nearby waters: Florida (Atlantic) · Alabama · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about Florida (Gulf)

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Florida?

A saltwater fishing license is required for Florida residents 16–64 and all non-residents 16 and older. Residents 65 and over and children under 16 are exempt; anyone fishing from a licensed charter, party boat or licensed pier is covered by that vessel's or pier's license.

How far out do Florida (Gulf) state waters go?

9 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council sets the federal rules, and where Florida (Gulf) has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

What if a fish is not listed for Florida?

Florida sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day, whichever is greater. Season: Open year-round. Florida default for unregulated saltwater species (e.g. ladyfish, crevalle jack, pinfish, white grunt, cero mackerel, bonito/little tunny, spadefish, sea catfishes, menhaden, most rays and stingrays).

Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

How current are these Florida (Gulf) rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

Checked against 44 official pages

Florida (Gulf) saltwater rules

Florida (Gulf)
saltwater rules