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Florida

Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater Fishing

Crustaceans & Mollusks

« Spearing Prohibited

p Must remain in whole condition (removal of gills and guts allowed).

u Measured as total length. Total length is the straight line distance from the most forward part of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together while the fish is lying on its side.

n State regulations apply in federal waters.

l Additional gear rules apply, please see: MyFWC.com

T Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook (any hook with two or more points and a common shaft) in conjunction with live or dead natural bait.

X State Reef Fish Angler designation required when fishing for select reef fish species from a private vessel in the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean.

Issued: January 2024
New regulations are highlighted in red
(please visit: MyFWC.com/Fishing/Saltwater/Recreational for the most current regulations)

If no season information is provided, the species is open year-round.

Bay Scallops – l

Season:

  • Bay Scallops
    Gulf County: Aug. 16–Sept. 24
  • Franklin-NW Taylor County: July 1–Sept. 24
  • Dixie and remaining Taylor County: June 15–Labor Day
  • Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties: July 1–Sept. 24
  • Pasco County: July 1–Aug. 6

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • 2 gallons whole or 1 pint meat per harvester; no more than 10 gallons whole, or ½ gallon meat per vessel anytime
  • Dixie and remaining Taylor County: From June 15–30, one gallon whole/one cup meat per person or five gallons whole/two pints meat per vessel, whichever is less

Remarks

  • Harvest allowed only in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico from the Pinellas - Pasco county line, to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County. Direct transit through closed areas permitted.

Spiny Lobster – «p

Spiny Lobster

Minimum Size Limit:

  • Carapace must be greater than 3" measured in the water

Seasons:

  • Sport Season open July 24–25, 2024
  • Regular Season opens Aug. 6 through March 31

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • Sport Season: 6 per harvester per day in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, 12 in all other harvest areas.
  • Regular Season: 6 per harvester in all areas

Remarks

  • Recreational trapping prohibited. Spiny lobster permit required when license required. Harvest of egg-bearing females prohibited.

Crab, Stone – « n

Crab, Stone

Minimum Size Limits:

  • 2 7/8" claw

Closed Season:

  • May 2–Oct. 14

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • 1 gal. claws per harvester or 2 gal. per vessel, whichever is less

Remarks

  • 5 traps maximum. Visit MyFWC.com for statewide trap construction requirements and specific requirements that apply in Miami-Dade, Monroe and Collier. Illegal to possess whole crab. Harvest of egg-bearing crabs prohibited. See how to properly de-claw on our website. New trap registration requirements, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com to register.

Oysters

Oysters

Minimum Size Limit:

  • 3"

Closed Season:

  • June, July, Aug. in Dixie, Wakulla, Levy counties.
  • July, Aug., Sept. in all other areas except Apalachicola Bay which has open areas year-round.
  • Apalachicola Bay: Closed

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • 2 bags per harvester or vessel except
    Apalachicola Bay

Remarks

  • Harvest from approved shellfish areas during daylight hours only.
  • Go to FloridaAquaculture.com to determine the Open or Closed status of shellfish harvesting areas.
  • May not harvest half hour after official sunset until half hour before official sunrise.
  • 1 Bag = 60 lbs. or two 5 gal. buckets (whole in shell)
  • Harvest prohibited in any harvest area that is in the Closed status as determined by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
  • Bay County: Harvest and possession prohibited in West Bay Estuarine Habitat Restoration Project Zone

Shrimp – p

Closed Season:

  • Shrimp
    April & May closed in Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler & Clay counties

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • 5 gallons heads on per harvester or vessel, whichever is less

Remarks

  • Visit: MyFWC.com/Fishing and select "Saltwater", "Regulations" and "Shrimp" for additional regulations specific to Dade, Nassau and Duval
  • See 68B-31 F.A.C for more information on areas closed to shrimping

Clams (Hard) – l

Clams (Hard)

Minimum Size Limits:

  • 1" thick across hinge

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • One 5 gal. bucket per harvester or 2 per vessel (whole in shell)

Remarks

  • Illegal to harvest from closed areas.
  • Go to www.FloridaAquaculture.com for allowable harvesting areas.
  • May not harvest half hour after official sunset until half hour before official sunrise.

Crab, Blue – «

Crab, Blue

Closed Season:

  • Regional trap closures apply. Visit MyFWC.com for 2024 trap closure dates and locations.

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • 10 gallons whole per harvester

Remarks

  • 5 traps maximum. Trap requirements apply. Harvest of egg-bearing crabs prohibited. New trap registration requirements, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com to register.