Can I Keep?Unregulated Species (default limits) Regulations in Florida (2026)
Recreational unregulated species (default limits) rules in Florida saltwater, as published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Last checked November 7, 2026.
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Recreational Unregulated Species (default limits) rules in Florida
- Where
- Statewide
- Bag limit
- Default Bag Limit for Unregulated Species: Two fish or 100 pounds per person, per day - whichever is more.; For smaller fish like white grunt, the limit is 100 pounds regardless of the number of fish it takes to reach that total weight.; For larger fish such as the southern stingray, if you harvest two fish that have a combined weight of 150 pounds, that is your limit for that species.; This bag limit does not apply to lionfish, which may be considered an unregulated species. Lionfish do not have a bag limit. Learn more about lionfish.
- Legal Gear: hook and line, spears, gigs, haul seines and cast nets (gear restrictions apply in certain locations)
- Illegal Gear: chemicals, explosives, electricity, bang sticks, fish traps, etc.
Quick answers
How many unregulated species (default limits) can I keep in Florida?
Default Bag Limit for Unregulated Species: Two fish or 100 pounds per person, per day - whichever is more.; For smaller fish like white grunt, the limit is 100 pounds regardless of the number of fish it takes to reach that total weight.; For larger fish such as the southern stingray, if you harvest two fish that have a combined weight of 150 pounds, that is your limit for that species.; This bag limit does not apply to lionfish, which may be considered an unregulated species. Lionfish do not have a bag limit. Learn more about lionfish..
More other species in Florida
- Angelfish (Family Pomacanthidae)
- Burrfish/Balloonfish/Porcupinefish
- Butterflyfish (Family Chaetodontidae)
- Conch, Queen (Strombus gigas)
- Corals, Soft (Subclass Octocorallia)
- Cowfish
- Crab, Horseshoe (Limulus polyphemus)
- Filefish/Triggerfish (Family Balistidae)
- Gobies (Family Gobiidae)
- Hamlets/Seabasses (Family Serranidae)
- Jawfish (Family Opistognathidae)
- Live Rock
- Marine Life
- Octopods (Order Octopoda)
- Parrotfish (Family Scaridae)
- Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus)
- Pufferfish
- Sea Biscuits/Sand Dollars (Order Clypeasteroida)
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.