Spotted Seatrout Regulations in Florida (2026)

Recreational spotted seatrout 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

Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length

Bag limit

Bag limit: Three fish per person per day

Season

Closed season: February; Open season: March 1 – Jan. 31

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Spotted Seatrout rules in Florida

Where: Panhandle Region
Size limit: Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length
Bag limit: Bag limit: Three fish per person per day
Season: Closed season: February; Open season: March 1 – Jan. 31

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited
The western boundary is located at the Florida-Alabama border, and the region extends to the eastern coastal boundary at 84°20.800ꞌ West Longitude in Franklin County near Alligator Point. Includes all inland waters of the counties named and highlighted in yellow. Does not include Ochlockonee Bay or the Ochlockonee River and its tributaries.
May possess one fish over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one fish over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit while on a for-hire trip

Official source

Where: Big Bend Region
Size limit: Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length
Bag limit: Bag limit: Five fish per person per day
Season: Season: Open year-round

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited
All Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico lying east of 84°20.800ꞌ West Longitude in Franklin County and north of a line running due east and due west from the westernmost point of Fred Howard Park Causeway (28°09.350’N, 82°48.398’W). Includes all waters of Pinellas County north of 28°09.350’ North Latitude and all waters of the counties highlighted in yellow, as well as Ochlockonee Bay and the Ochlockonee, Withlacoochee, and Anclote rivers and their tributaries.
May possess one fish over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one fish over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit while on a for-hire trip

Official source

Where: Tampa Bay Region
Size limit: Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length
Bag limit: Bag limit: Three fish per person per day
Season: Season: Open year-round

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited
All Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the westernmost point of Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County and north of the western terminus of State Road 64 in Manatee County, all waters of Manatee County north of State Road 64, and all waters of Hillsborough County. Includes the Alafia, Braden, Manatee, and Hillsborough rivers. Does not include Palma Sola Bay or the Anclote River and its tributaries.
May possess one fish over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one fish over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit while on a for-hire trip

Official source

Where: Sarasota Bay Region
Size limit: Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length
Bag limit: Bag limit: Three fish per person per day
Season: Season: Open year-round

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited
All Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the Tampa Bay Region and north of 27°04.727’ North Latitude in Sarasota County, all waters of Manatee County south of State Road 64 and west of 82°22.500’ West Longitude, and all waters of Sarasota County west of 82°22.500’ West Longitude and north of 27°04.727’ North Latitude. Includes Palma Sola Bay, Phillippi Creek, Cow Pen Slough Canal, and Curry Creek. Does not include the Braden or Manatee rivers.
May possess one fish over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one fish over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit while on a for-hire trip

Official source

Where: Charlotte Harbor Region
Size limit: Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length
Bag limit: Bag limit: Three fish per person per day
Season: Season: Open year-round

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited
All Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the Sarasota Bay Region and north of a line extending due west from a point located at 26°15.227’N, 81°49.412’W in Collier County, all waters of Collier County north of 26°15.227’ North Latitude, all waters of Manatee and Sarasota counties east and south of the Sarasota Bay Region, all waters of the counties highlighted in yellow, including all waters and tributaries of the Caloosahatchee, Myakka, and Peace rivers, excluding all waters of Lake Okeechobee.
May possess one fish over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one fish over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit while on a for-hire trip

Official source

Where: Southwest Region
Size limit: Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length
Bag limit: Bag limit: Three fish per person per day
Season: Season: Open year-round

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited
All Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the Charlotte Harbor Region and all Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the Southeast Region, all waters of Collier County south of 26°15.227’ North Latitude, all waters of Monroe County, and all waters of Everglades National Park.
May possess one fish over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one fish over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit while on a for-hire trip

Official source

Where: Southeast Region
Size limit: Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length
Bag limit: Bag limit: Three fish per person per day
Season: Season: Open year-round

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited
All Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the Martin-Palm Beach county line and north of the Miami-Dade/Monroe county line, including all waters of the counties highlighted in yellow, including all waters of the Loxahatchee River and its tributaries, Hillsboro Canal, Miami Canal, North New River Canal, and West Palm Beach Canal, excluding all waters of Lake Okeechobee and all waters of Everglades National Park.
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
May possess one fish over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one fish over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit while on a for-hire trip

Official source

Where: Indian River Lagoon Region
Size limit: Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length; May not possess fish larger than 19 inches total length
Bag limit: Bag limit: Two fish per person per day
Season: Closed season: November 1 – December 31; Open season: Jan. 1 – Oct. 31

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited
All Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of a line extending due east from a point located at 29°01.755’N, 80°54.160’W in Volusia County and north of the Martin-Palm Beach county line, all waters of the counties highlighted in yellow, all inside waters of Volusia County south of Lytle Avenue/South Causeway (State Road A1A), all waters of Volusia County south of State Road 44 and east of I-95, including all waters of the Kissimmee River, Cypress Lake, Lake Hatchineha, Lake Kissimmee, and Lake Okeechobee, excluding all waters of the Loxahatchee River and its tributaries and all
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit while on a for-hire trip

Official source

Where: Northeast Region
Size limit: Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length; May not possess fish larger than 19 inches total length
Bag limit: Bag limit: Three fish per person per day
Season: Season: Open year-round

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited
All Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the Florida-Georgia border and north of the Indian River Lagoon Region, all waters of the counties highlighted in yellow, all waters of Volusia County north and west of the Indian River Lagoon Region, including all waters of the St. Johns River and its tributaries, excluding all waters of the Withlacoochee River, Kissimmee River, Cypress Lake, Lake Hatchineha, and Lake Kissimmee.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit while on a for-hire trip

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 9 commercial rules

Where: Panhandle Region
Size limit: Slot limit: 15-24 inches total length
Bag limit: Daily harvest limit: 50 fish if only one SPL holder on board; 100 fish if 2 or more SPL holders on board
Season: Open season: June 1 – Oct. 31; Closed season: Nov. 1 – May 31

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited; may not possess a spotted seatrout aboard a vessel with a gill net or entangling net on board
*Sale and possession of seatrout inventory is allowed for 30 days after the season closes. After 30 days following a regional closure, no spotted seatrout may be possessed in a closed region.
License requirements: Saltwater Product License (SPL), Restricted Species Endorsement (RS)
SPL and RS
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait or any snatch hook.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Allowable gear: cast net or hook and line. Spearing prohibited.
Simultaneous possession of gill nets and seatrout is prohibited.
Towing extra vessel to exceed bag limit is prohibited.
Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes.

Official source

Where: Big Bend Region
Size limit: Slot limit: 15-24 inches total length
Bag limit: Daily harvest limit: 50 fish if only one SPL holder on board; 100 fish if 2 or more SPL holders on board
Season: Open season: June 1 – Oct. 31; Closed season: Nov. 1 – May 31

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited; may not possess a spotted seatrout aboard a vessel with a gill net or entangling net on board
*Sale and possession of seatrout inventory is allowed for 30 days after the season closes. After 30 days following a regional closure, no spotted seatrout may be possessed in a closed region.
License requirements: Saltwater Product License (SPL), Restricted Species Endorsement (RS)
SPL and RS
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait or any snatch hook.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Allowable gear: cast net or hook and line. Spearing prohibited.
Simultaneous possession of gill nets and seatrout is prohibited.
Towing extra vessel to exceed bag limit is prohibited.
Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes.

Official source

Where: Tampa Bay Region
Size limit: Slot limit: 15-24 inches total length
Bag limit: Daily harvest limit: 50 fish if only one SPL holder on board; 100 fish if 2 or more SPL holders on board
Season: Open season: June 1 – Oct. 31; Closed season: Nov. 1 – May 31

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited; may not possess a spotted seatrout aboard a vessel with a gill net or entangling net on board
*Sale and possession of seatrout inventory is allowed for 30 days after the season closes. After 30 days following a regional closure, no spotted seatrout may be possessed in a closed region.
License requirements: Saltwater Product License (SPL), Restricted Species Endorsement (RS)
SPL and RS
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait or any snatch hook.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Allowable gear: cast net or hook and line. Spearing prohibited.
Simultaneous possession of gill nets and seatrout is prohibited.
Towing extra vessel to exceed bag limit is prohibited.
Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes.

Official source

Where: Sarasota Bay Region
Size limit: Slot limit: 15-24 inches total length
Bag limit: Daily harvest limit: 50 fish if only one SPL holder on board; 100 fish if 2 or more SPL holders on board
Season: Open season: June 1 – Oct. 31; Closed season: Nov. 1 – May 31

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited; may not possess a spotted seatrout aboard a vessel with a gill net or entangling net on board
*Sale and possession of seatrout inventory is allowed for 30 days after the season closes. After 30 days following a regional closure, no spotted seatrout may be possessed in a closed region.
License requirements: Saltwater Product License (SPL), Restricted Species Endorsement (RS)
SPL and RS
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait or any snatch hook.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Allowable gear: cast net or hook and line. Spearing prohibited.
Simultaneous possession of gill nets and seatrout is prohibited.
Towing extra vessel to exceed bag limit is prohibited.
Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes.

Official source

Where: Charlotte Harbor Region
Size limit: Slot limit: 15-24 inches total length
Bag limit: Daily harvest limit: 50 fish if only one SPL holder on board; 100 fish if 2 or more SPL holders on board
Season: Open season: June 1 – Oct. 31; Closed season: Nov. 1 – May 31

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited; may not possess a spotted seatrout aboard a vessel with a gill net or entangling net on board
*Sale and possession of seatrout inventory is allowed for 30 days after the season closes. After 30 days following a regional closure, no spotted seatrout may be possessed in a closed region.
License requirements: Saltwater Product License (SPL), Restricted Species Endorsement (RS)
SPL and RS
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait or any snatch hook.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Allowable gear: cast net or hook and line. Spearing prohibited.
Simultaneous possession of gill nets and seatrout is prohibited.
Towing extra vessel to exceed bag limit is prohibited.
Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes.

Official source

Where: Southwest Region
Size limit: Slot limit: 15-24 inches total length
Bag limit: Daily harvest limit: 50 fish if only one SPL holder on board; 100 fish if 2 or more SPL holders on board
Season: Open season: June 1 – Oct. 31; Closed season: Nov. 1 – May 31

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited; may not possess a spotted seatrout aboard a vessel with a gill net or entangling net on board
*Sale and possession of seatrout inventory is allowed for 30 days after the season closes. After 30 days following a regional closure, no spotted seatrout may be possessed in a closed region.
License requirements: Saltwater Product License (SPL), Restricted Species Endorsement (RS)
SPL and RS
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait or any snatch hook.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Allowable gear: cast net or hook and line. Spearing prohibited.
Simultaneous possession of gill nets and seatrout is prohibited.
Towing extra vessel to exceed bag limit is prohibited.
Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes.

Official source

Where: Southeast Region
Size limit: Slot limit: 15-24 inches total length
Bag limit: Daily harvest limit: 50 fish if only one SPL holder on board; 100 fish if 2 or more SPL holders on board
Season: Open season: June 1 – Oct. 31; Closed season: Nov. 1 – May 31

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited; may not possess a spotted seatrout aboard a vessel with a gill net or entangling net on board
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
*Sale and possession of seatrout inventory is allowed for 30 days after the season closes. After 30 days following a regional closure, no spotted seatrout may be possessed in a closed region.
License requirements: Saltwater Product License (SPL), Restricted Species Endorsement (RS)
SPL and RS
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait or any snatch hook.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Allowable gear: cast net or hook and line. Spearing prohibited.
Simultaneous possession of gill nets and seatrout is prohibited.
Towing extra vessel to exceed bag limit is prohibited.
Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes.

Official source

Where: Indian River Lagoon Region
Size limit: Slot limit: 15-24 inches total length
Bag limit: Daily harvest limit: 50 fish if only one SPL holder on board; 100 fish if 2 or more SPL holders on board
Season: Open season: May 1 – Sept. 30; Closed season: Oct. 1 – April 30

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited; may not possess a spotted seatrout aboard a vessel with a gill net or entangling net on board
*Sale and possession of seatrout inventory is allowed for 30 days after the season closes. After 30 days following a regional closure, no spotted seatrout may be possessed in a closed region.
License requirements: Saltwater Product License (SPL), Restricted Species Endorsement (RS)
SPL and RS
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait or any snatch hook.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Allowable gear: cast net or hook and line. Spearing prohibited.
Simultaneous possession of gill nets and seatrout is prohibited.
Towing extra vessel to exceed bag limit is prohibited.
Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes.

Official source

Where: Northeast Region
Size limit: Slot limit: 15-24 inches total length
Bag limit: Daily harvest limit: 50 fish if only one SPL holder on board; 100 fish if 2 or more SPL holders on board
Season: Open season: April 1 – Nov. 30; Closed season: Dec. 1 – May 31

Allowable gear: Hook and line; cast net
Prohibited gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited; may not possess a spotted seatrout aboard a vessel with a gill net or entangling net on board
*Sale and possession of seatrout inventory is allowed for 30 days after the season closes. After 30 days following a regional closure, no spotted seatrout may be possessed in a closed region.
License requirements: Saltwater Product License (SPL), Restricted Species Endorsement (RS)
SPL and RS
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait or any snatch hook.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (head & tail intact).
Allowable gear: cast net or hook and line. Spearing prohibited.
Simultaneous possession of gill nets and seatrout is prohibited.
Towing extra vessel to exceed bag limit is prohibited.
Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes.
FWC lists an open season and a closed season for this region that do not complement each other; seasons follow the stated open season.

Official source

Quick answers

What is the spotted seatrout size limit in Florida?

Slot limit: Not less than 15” or more than 19” total length (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

How many spotted seatrout can I keep in Florida?

Bag limit: Three fish per person per day (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is spotted seatrout season in Florida?

Closed season: February; Open season: March 1 – Jan. 31. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Spotted Seatrout limits in other states →

More inshore in Florida

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.