Florida Fishing Regulations: Bag Limits, Size Limits and Seasons

These are the statewide daily bag limits and length limits Florida anglers work under, taken from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) guide for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Statewide means the default: most states, Florida included, override these on specific lakes, rivers and coastal zones, so treat this page as the baseline and the official guide as the rule for the water you are standing on.

Florida freshwater fishing is open year-round with no closed season. On the coast, several species have seasonal closures: flounder harvest closes October 15 through November 30, snook has closed seasons that differ by region, and Gulf red snapper only opens for announced state-water days. You will still need the Florida fishing license, which runs $17 for residents and $47 for non-residents; the Florida fishing license page covers short-term options, exemptions and where to buy.

AgencyFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Regulation yearJuly 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Free fishingFreshwater: first weekend in April, second weekend in June, first Saturday in September and the Saturday after Thanksgiving (April 4-5, June 13-14, September 5 and November 28 in 2026). Saltwater: first weekend in June, first Saturday in September and the Saturday after Thanksgiving (June 6-7, September 5 and November 28 in 2026).
Official regulation guide License cost

Limits last verified 2026-09-16.

Florida freshwater bag and length limits

Statewide freshwater limits. Water-specific exceptions in the official guide take precedence.
Species Daily bag Length
Black bass (largemouth, Florida, Suwannee, shoal, spotted, Choctaw)Suwannee, shoal, spotted and Choctaw bass carry a 12 in. minimum. 5 combined Only 1 may be 16 in. or longer
Butterfly peacock bass 2 Only 1 may be 17 in. or longer
Striped, white and sunshine bassSuwannee River and lower Ochlockonee River have their own limits. 20 combined Only 6 may be 24 in. or longer
Black crappie (speckled perch) 25 None
Panfish (bluegill, redear, warmouth, redbreast and others) 50 combined None
Channel catfish and other catfish No limit None
Shad and blueback herringHook and line only. 10 combined None
American eel 25 9 in. minimum

Florida saltwater limits

Headline coastal species. Federal waters and species with quotas can close mid-season; check the official saltwater guide before a trip.
Species Daily bag Length
Red drum (redfish)Nine management regions. Catch-and-release only in the Indian River Lagoon region. 1 18-27 in. slot
Spotted seatroutRegional rules and closed months took effect April 1, 2026. One over-slot fish per vessel in many regions. 3 to 5 by region 15-19 in. slot in most regions
SnookSnook permit required. Closed seasons differ between Gulf and Atlantic regions. 1 28-32 or 28-33 in. slot by region
FlounderClosed October 15 through November 30. 5 14 in. minimum

Saltwater source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission saltwater regulations.

How to read a bag limit

A daily bag limit is the number of that species one angler may keep in a day, and in most states also the number you may have in possession on the water. Where a row says "combined", the number is shared across every species named in it. A minimum length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched; a slot means fish inside the range must go back. When a lake has its own rule in the official guide, that rule replaces the statewide one for that water only.

Related: the Florida fishing license page for the fee and where to buy, non-resident fishing license fees across states, and fishing regulations for every state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bass limit in Florida?

Statewide, Florida allows 5 combined black bass (largemouth, florida, suwannee, shoal, spotted, choctaw) per day, with a length rule of only 1 may be 16 in. or longer. Suwannee, shoal, spotted and Choctaw bass carry a 12 in. minimum. Individual lakes often carry a different slot or minimum, so check the water-specific exceptions in the official guide.

How many crappie can you keep in Florida?

The statewide daily limit is 25, size rule none.

What is the catfish limit in Florida?

Channel catfish and other catfish: no limit per day, none.

Is there a closed season for fishing in Florida?

Florida freshwater fishing is open year-round with no closed season. On the coast, several species have seasonal closures: flounder harvest closes October 15 through November 30, snook has closed seasons that differ by region, and Gulf red snapper only opens for announced state-water days.

When can you fish without a license in Florida?

Freshwater: first weekend in April, second weekend in June, first Saturday in September and the Saturday after Thanksgiving (April 4-5, June 13-14, September 5 and November 28 in 2026). Saltwater: first weekend in June, first Saturday in September and the Saturday after Thanksgiving (June 6-7, September 5 and November 28 in 2026).

Do I need a license to fish in Florida?

Yes for most adults. The annual Florida fishing license costs $17 for residents and $47 for non-residents. Freshwater annual shown; saltwater annual is the same price ($17 resident / $47 non-resident). Freshwater/saltwater combo is $32.50 resident. A 50¢ vendor issuance fee may apply; online handling fees are extra. Resident shoreline-only saltwater is no-cost. See the Florida fishing license page for short-term options and where to buy.

Where do these Florida limits come from?

Every figure on this page was read from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulation guide for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 and last checked on 2026-09-16. The guide, not this page, is the legal document. Use the official source link above before you keep a fish.