Mullet Regulations in Florida (2026)

Where

Statewide

Size limit

The minimum size limit for striped mullet is 11 inches (fork length), with an allowance for a quantity of undersized mullet not to exceed 10 percent of the total weight of all striped mullet possessed. Fork length is measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail.

Bag limit

Striped Mullet Only — Pinellas County (Tampa Bay): Oct 1 - Jan. 31 - 5 mullet per person or per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive.; Striped Mullet Only — Manatee County: Nov. 1 - Jan. 31 - 50 mullet per person per day or per vessel, whichever is more restrictive.

Season

Striped Mullet Only — Statewide: Harvest is prohibited seaward of the 3-mile line (Gulf and Atlantic) and seaward of the Everglades National Park line in Florida Bay; Striped Mullet Only — Charlotte County: Peace River upstream of a line from Mangrove Point running northwesterly through the northeastern most point of Locust Point to the shoreline in the body of water known as Myakka Cutoff. Coral Creek upstream of its mouth on Gasparilla Sound.; Striped Mullet Only — Punta Gorda: Nov. 1 thru the end of February, closed nightly 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Possession is prohibited during the nightly closure.; Silver Mullet Only — Atlantic: During February, commercial harvest prohibited.; Silver Mullet Only — Statewide: Weekend Closure - July 1 - Jan. 31 commercial harvest prohibited 12:01 a.m. Sat. morning to 12:01 a.m. Mon. morning. Mullet harvested under the recreational bag limit during the weekend closure may not be sold or purchased.; Silver Mullet Only — Statewide: Harvest is prohibited seaward of the 3-mile line (Gulf and Atlantic) and seaward of the Everglades National Park line in Florida Bay; Silver Mullet Only — Statewide: * Refer to official area descriptions in the Mullet Rule 68B-39, F.A.C.

• The use of any gear other than cast nets (no more than 14 feet long, and no more than two per vessel), beach or haul seines (no larger than 500 square feet, and no more than two may be fished per vessel), hook and line gear; and by spearing is prohibited. Spearfishing is prohibited in fresh water. Simultaneous possession of any mullet species in excess of the recreational bag limit and any gill or entangling net is prohibited. This prohibition applies to mullet and gill nets in separate vessels or vehicles that are operated in coordination with one another, including towed vessels. Sale of mullet harvested with illegal gear is prohibited.
• Striped (black) and silver (white, fantail, or redeye) mullet are designated as "Restricted Species."
• * Refer to official area descriptions in the Mullet Rule 68B-39, F.A.C.
• Also known as white, fantail or redeye.
• License requirements: SPL and RS
• Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
• Also known as black mullet.
• Licenses required: SPL and RS

Official source