Lionfish Regulations in Florida (2026)

Where

Statewide

Size limit

Minimum Size Limit: None

Bag limit

Daily Bag Limit: Unlimited

Season

Harvest Season: Open year-round

• Legal Gear: hook and line, spear, hand-held nets and any otherwise legal harvest gear.
• These regulations apply in Gulf and Atlantic state and federal waters
• A recreational fishing license is not required for recreational fishers targeting lionfish while using a pole spear, a Hawaiian Sling, a handheld net or any spearing device that is specifically designed and marketed exclusively for lionfish.
• A recreational fishing license (unless exempt) is required for all other methods of harvesting lionfish including hook and line.
• The sale of commercially harvested lionfish requires a Saltwater Products License.
• Interested in selling lionfish? Check out this list of Florida Wholesale Dealers interested in purchasing lionfish. Complete the form to be added to our list.
• Within 100 yards of a public swimming beach, any commercial or public fishing pier, or any part of a bridge from which public fishing is allowed.
• Within 100 feet of any part of a jetty that is above the surface of the sea - except for the last 500 yards of a jetty that extends more than 1,500 yards from the shoreline.
• In Monroe County from Long Key north to the Miami-Dade County line.
• In any body of water under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks (Florida Park Service). Possession of spearfishing equipment is prohibited in these areas, unless it is unloaded and properly stored.
• Harvest by hand-held nets is allowed in all of these situations.
• Divers using rebreathers are permitted to spear and remove lionfish.

Official source