Florida Fishing Regulations - Siesta Key Florida Vacation & Accommodations Guide

Florida has 53,927 square miles of land and 5,983 square miles of water. There is more than 34 million acres of public and private land including 5.8 million acres of wildlife management areas. Florida also has 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline (8,426 "detailed" miles) with almost 1,700 named rivers, streams and creeks travelling 10,550 miles. There is approximately 12,000 miles of fishable rivers, streams and canals and an overall total of 51,858 miles of flowing water, including minor tributaries and creeks. There are also 7,700 lakes greater than 10 acres, covering 3 million total acres.

Florida has oveer 200 native species of freshwater fish, and more than 500 native species of saltwater fish.

Florida Fishing Regulations
Region: Florida Type of Water: Saltwater
Amberjack, Greater
Season No closed season	Creel Limit 1 per person per day	Length 28" to fork of tail
Special Conditions: Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (heads & tails intact).
Amberjack, Lesser
Season No closed season	Creel Limit 5 aggregate of lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish	Length 14" minimum / 22" maximum
Special Conditions: Measurements are to fork of tail. Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (heads & tails intact).
Banded Rudderfish
Season No closed season	Creel Limit 5 aggregate of lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish	Length 14" minimum / 22" maximum
Special Conditions: Measurements are to fork of tail. Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (heads & tails intact).
Black Drum
Season No closed season	Creel Limit 5 per person per day	Length 14" minumum / 24" maximum
Special Conditions: May possess one over 24". Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (heads & tails intact).
Bluefish
Season No closed season	Creel Limit 10 per person per day	Length 12" to fork
Special Conditions: Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (heads & tails intact).
Bonefish
Season No closed season	Creel Limit 1 per person per day	Length 18" minimum
Special Conditions: Measured as total length.
Cobia (Ling)
Season No closed season	Creel Limit 2 per person per day	Length 33" to fork
Special Conditions: Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (heads & tails intact).
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Season No closed season	Creel Limit 10 per person per day	Length No size restriction
Special Conditions:
Flounder
Season No closed season	Creel Limit 10 per person per day	Length 12" minimum
Special Conditions: May be harvested by spearing. Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (heads & tails intact).
Grouper - Black & Gag
Season No closed season	Creel Limit See special conditions	Length See special conditions
Special Conditions: 24" minimum length in Atlantic & Monroe County. 20" minimum length in the Gulf. 2 per person per day in Atlantic & Monroe County. 5 per person per day in the Gulf. Included in Grouper aggregate bag limits. Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (heads & tails intact). From February 15 to March 15 each year, sale is prohibited of all gag, black and red grouper harvested from federal waters in the eastern Gulf.

Sources: Florida Handbook 30th Biennial Edition, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Fla. Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Orlando Area Guide | Sarasota Area Guide | Tampa Area Guide