Can I Keep?King Mackerel Regulations in Florida (2026)
Recreational king mackerel 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: 24" fork length
Bag limit
Daily Bag Limit: 3 per harvester
Season
Season: Open year-round
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational King Mackerel rules in Florida
- Where
- Gulf State Waters and Monroe County
- Size limit
- Minimum Size Limit: 24" fork length
- Bag limit
- Daily Bag Limit: 3 per harvester
- Season
- Season: Open year-round
- Legal Gear: hook and line and spearing only
- Where
- Atlantic State Waters (excludes Monroe County)
- Size limit
- Minimum Size Limit: 24" fork length
- Bag limit
- Daily Bag Limit: 2 per harvester
- Season
- Season: Open year-round
- Legal Gear: hook and line and spearing only
Commercial rules
Show 5 commercial rules
- Where
- Atlantic: Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties
- Size limit
- Minimum size limit: 24 inches fork length
- Bag limit
- Federal Season 1: March 1 until the adjacent EEZ closes: 3,500-lb. vessel trip limit; Federal Season 2: October 1 until the adjacent EEZ closes: 3,500-lb. vessel trip limit
- Season
- Federal Season 1: March 1 until the adjacent EEZ closes: 3,500-lb. vessel trip limit; Federal Season 2: October 1 until the adjacent EEZ closes: 3,500-lb. vessel trip limit
- Commercial license requirements: Saltwater products license, a restricted species endorsement and a federal king mackerel permit.
- King mackerel are divided into two separate fisheries: the Atlantic fishery (north of Miami-Dade/Monroe County line) and the Gulf-Atlantic fishery (south and west of the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line). Commercial trip limits vary by fishery, zone/region and season.
- In both the Atlantic and Gulf-Atlantic fisheries, commercial harvesters must abide by federal king mackerel trip limits when fishing in state waters. Commercial harvest in state waters closes when harvest is closed in adjacent federal waters.
- SPL and RS
- Federal permit required for commercial harvest in federal waters and to exceed the recreational bag limit in state waters.
- Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
- Where
- Atlantic: Volusia County
- Size limit
- Minimum size limit: 24 inches fork length
- Bag limit
- Federal Season 1: March 1-31: 75 fish per vessel; April 1-Sept. 30 or until the adjacent EEZ closes: 3,500 lb. vessel trip limit; Federal Season 2: Oct. 1-end of February or until the adjacent EEZ closes: 100 fish per vessel
- Season
- Federal Season 1: March 1-31: 75 fish per vessel; April 1-Sept. 30 or until the adjacent EEZ closes: 3,500 lb. vessel trip limit; Federal Season 2: Oct. 1-end of February or until the adjacent EEZ closes: 100 fish per vessel
- Commercial license requirements: Saltwater products license, a restricted species endorsement and a federal king mackerel permit.
- King mackerel are divided into two separate fisheries: the Atlantic fishery (north of Miami-Dade/Monroe County line) and the Gulf-Atlantic fishery (south and west of the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line). Commercial trip limits vary by fishery, zone/region and season.
- In both the Atlantic and Gulf-Atlantic fisheries, commercial harvesters must abide by federal king mackerel trip limits when fishing in state waters. Commercial harvest in state waters closes when harvest is closed in adjacent federal waters.
- SPL and RS
- Federal permit required for commercial harvest in federal waters and to exceed the recreational bag limit in state waters.
- Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
- Where
- Atlantic: Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties
- Size limit
- Minimum size limit: 24 inches fork length
- Bag limit
- Federal Season 1: March 1-31 or until the adjacent EEZ closes: 75 fish per vessel; April 1-Sept. 30 or until the adjacent EEZ closes: 75 fish per vessel; Vessel trip limit will decrease to 50 fish if 75% of Season 1’s federal quota is caught; Federal Season 2: From Oct. 1-end of February or until the adjacent EEZ closes: 100 fish per vessel
- Season
- Federal Season 1: March 1-31 or until the adjacent EEZ closes: 75 fish per vessel; April 1-Sept. 30 or until the adjacent EEZ closes: 75 fish per vessel; Vessel trip limit will decrease to 50 fish if 75% of Season 1’s federal quota is caught; Federal Season 2: From Oct. 1-end of February or until the adjacent EEZ closes: 100 fish per vessel
- Commercial license requirements: Saltwater products license, a restricted species endorsement and a federal king mackerel permit.
- King mackerel are divided into two separate fisheries: the Atlantic fishery (north of Miami-Dade/Monroe County line) and the Gulf-Atlantic fishery (south and west of the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line). Commercial trip limits vary by fishery, zone/region and season.
- In both the Atlantic and Gulf-Atlantic fisheries, commercial harvesters must abide by federal king mackerel trip limits when fishing in state waters. Commercial harvest in state waters closes when harvest is closed in adjacent federal waters.
- SPL and RS
- Federal permit required for commercial harvest in federal waters and to exceed the recreational bag limit in state waters.
- Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
- Where
- Gulf: Monroe and Collier counties
- Size limit
- Minimum size limit: 24 inches fork length
- Bag limit
- July 1 until the adjacent EEZ closes: 1250-lb. vessel trip limit
- Season
- July 1 until the adjacent EEZ closes: 1250-lb. vessel trip limit
- Commercial license requirements: Saltwater products license, a restricted species endorsement and a federal king mackerel permit.
- King mackerel are divided into two separate fisheries: the Atlantic fishery (north of Miami-Dade/Monroe County line) and the Gulf-Atlantic fishery (south and west of the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line). Commercial trip limits vary by fishery, zone/region and season.
- In both the Atlantic and Gulf-Atlantic fisheries, commercial harvesters must abide by federal king mackerel trip limits when fishing in state waters. Commercial harvest in state waters closes when harvest is closed in adjacent federal waters.
- SPL and RS
- Federal permit required for commercial harvest in federal waters and to exceed the recreational bag limit in state waters.
- Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
- Where
- Gulf: All Gulf coast counties except Collier and Monroe
- Size limit
- Minimum size limit: 24 inches fork length
- Bag limit
- Oct. 1 until the adjacent EEZ closes: 1250-lb. vessel trip limit
- Season
- Oct. 1 until the adjacent EEZ closes: 1250-lb. vessel trip limit
- Commercial license requirements: Saltwater products license, a restricted species endorsement and a federal king mackerel permit.
- King mackerel are divided into two separate fisheries: the Atlantic fishery (north of Miami-Dade/Monroe County line) and the Gulf-Atlantic fishery (south and west of the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line). Commercial trip limits vary by fishery, zone/region and season.
- In both the Atlantic and Gulf-Atlantic fisheries, commercial harvesters must abide by federal king mackerel trip limits when fishing in state waters. Commercial harvest in state waters closes when harvest is closed in adjacent federal waters.
- SPL and RS
- Federal permit required for commercial harvest in federal waters and to exceed the recreational bag limit in state waters.
- Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Quick answers
What is the king mackerel size limit in Florida?
Minimum Size Limit: 24" fork length (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many king mackerel can I keep in Florida?
Daily Bag Limit: 3 per harvester (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is king mackerel season in Florida?
Season: Open year-round. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare King Mackerel limits in other states →
More offshore & pelagic in Florida
- Atlantic Bonito and Little Tunny
- Barracuda
- Blackfin Tuna
- Blue Marlin
- Bluefish
- Cobia
- Dolphinfish (Mahi-Mahi)
- 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.