Can I Keep?Dolphinfish (Mahi-Mahi) Regulations in Florida (2026)
Recreational dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) rules in Florida saltwater, as published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Last checked November 7, 2026.
Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.
Size limit
Minimum Size Limit: None
Bag limit
Daily Bag Limit: 10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Dolphinfish (Mahi-Mahi) rules in Florida
- Where
- Gulf State Waters
- Size limit
- Minimum Size Limit: None
- Bag limit
- Daily Bag Limit: 10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less
- Legal Gear: hook and line, spearing
- Captain and crew are prohibited from retaining a bag limit
- Where
- Atlantic State Waters
- Size limit
- Minimum Size Limit: 20" fork length
- Bag limit
- Daily Private Recreational Bag limit: 5 fish per person, or 30 fish per vessel, whichever is less.; Daily For-hire Recreational Bag limit: 5 fish per person. Vessel limit is limited to the number of customers fishing multiplied by bag limit.
- Legal Gear: hook and line, spearing
- Captain and crew are prohibited from retaining a bag limit
Commercial rules
Show 2 commercial rules
- Where
- Gulf
- Size limit
- Size limit: 20 inches fork length
- Bag limit
- Trip/bag limit: No limit using spear or hook and line.; Gulf: Incidental bycatch using gear other than spearing and hook and line: 10 fish per person.
- Season
- Closed season: None
- Allowable gear: hook and line, longline gear (federal waters ONLY), and spearing.
- Size limit applies to purchase and sale of fish.
- Also known as Mahi.
- Licenses required: SPL and RS (federal permit required in Atlantic)
- To apply for a vessel, dealer or operator permit, interested parties should contact the Permits Office, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33702; or by phone at 727-824-5326.
- See 68B-41
- Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
- Where
- Atlantic
- Size limit
- Size limit: 20 inches fork length
- Bag limit
- Trip/bag limit: No limit using spear or hook and line.; Atlantic: Limited by federal permit.
- Season
- Closed season: None
- Allowable gear: hook and line, longline gear (federal waters ONLY), and spearing.
- Size limit applies to purchase and sale of fish.
- Also known as Mahi.
- Licenses required: SPL and RS (federal permit required in Atlantic)
- To apply for a vessel, dealer or operator permit, interested parties should contact the Permits Office, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33702; or by phone at 727-824-5326.
- See 68B-41
- Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Quick answers
What is the dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) size limit in Florida?
Minimum Size Limit: None (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) can I keep in Florida?
Daily Bag Limit: 10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
More offshore & pelagic in Florida
- Atlantic Bonito and Little Tunny
- Barracuda
- Blackfin Tuna
- Blue Marlin
- Bluefish
- Cobia
- King Mackerel
- Roundscale Spearfish
- Sailfish
- Sharks (harvestable species)
- Spanish Mackerel
- Swordfish
- Wahoo
- White Marlin
All Florida saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Most anglers need a Florida saltwater license or registry: get one here.