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Florida Saltwater Fishing Limits

Recreational Size and Creel Limits for Florida State Waters
 

Florida's coastal waters are home to thousands of marine species with the majority of these species having no specific regulations regarding bag limits, size limits, gear restriction or closed seasons. These species are often referred to as "unregulated species," although the name can be a bit misleading. Florida state law provides that for any marine species not having specific regulations, harvesting more than 100 pounds or two fish (whichever is the greater amount) constitutes a commercial quantity and requires a commercial license. This means the recreational harvest limit for any unregulated species is 100 pounds or two organisms if the combined weight of the two organisms exceeds 100 pounds. 

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PROHIBITED SPECIES

It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell or exchange the following species:

Goliath Grouper (Jewfish), Nassau Grouper, Sawfish, Atlantic Angel Shark, Basking Shark, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark, Bigeye Thrasher Shark, Bignose Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Caribbean Sharpnose Shark, Dusky Shark, Galapagos Shark, Lemon Shark, Longfin Mako Shark, Narrowtooth Shark, Night Shark, Silky Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Sandbar Shark, Sevengill Shark, Sixgill Shark, Smalltail Shark, Spiny Dogfish Shark, Whale Shark, White Shark, Tiger Shark, Scalloped, Smoth, and Great hammerhead Shark., Manta Ray, Devil Ray, Spotted Eagle Ray, Longbill Spearfish, Mediterranean Spearfish, Sturgeon, Queen Conch, Calico Scallop, Black Coral, Stony, Hard and Fire Corals, Sea Fans, Bahama Starfish, and Longspine Urchin. Harvest live rock in state waters is prohibited. Puffer fish harvest is prohibited Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin Counties. 

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For more information and to see if there are any changes, please visit www.myfwc.com or call 850-487-0554

Source: www.myfwc.com

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To see an image of the fish, all you have to do is hover on the area or click on the section. 

Snapper are managed differently in the Gulf versus the Atlantic and in state versus federal waters.

Gulf state waters are from shore to 9 nautical miles.

Atlantic state waters are from shore to 3 nautical miles.

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