Special bag and length limits apply to some
lakes, rivers and Fish Management Areas. Other fishes
considered to be nongame fishes have no bag or possession
limits, except as noted in individual Fish Management Area
regulations. (Note: Total length is the maximum length of the
fish, with the mouth closed and the tail fin pinched together. The
best way to obtain this length is to push the fish's snout up
against a vertical surface with the mouth closed and the fish
laying along a tape measure, then pinch the tail fin closed and
determine the total length. Do NOT pull a flexible tape measure
along the curve of the fish. See illustrated instructions.)
Possession limit is two days' bag limit. It is
illegal to transport or possess more than two days' bag limit of
fish per licensed angler without a commercial license. Exceptions
are fish legally acquired from aquaculturists (fish farmers) for
use in aquaria, for brood stock, pond stocking or properly marked
for the market. No native freshwater fish or their eggs may be
taken or possessed except as permitted by these rules nor shall
anyone wantonly or willfully waste the same.
5 Black bass (largemouth,
Suwannee, spotted, and shoal bass,
individually or in total), only one of which may be 22 inches or
longer in total length. (See Map for
zones).
- In south Florida: only one bass may be 14 inches in total
length or longer. (See Map for
zones).
- South and east of the Suwannee River: black bass less than 14
inches in total length must be released immediately. (See Map for
zones).
- In the Suwannee River, areas north and west of the Suwannee
River, and in any tributary river, creek or stream of the Suwannee
River: black bass less than 12 inches in total length must be
released immediately. (See Map for
zones).
50 Panfish including bluegill,
redear sunfish (shellcracker), flier, longear sunfish, mud sunfish,
shadow bass, spotted sunfish (stumpknockers), warmouth and
redbreast sunfish, individually or in total.
25 Black Crappie (speckled
perch).
20 Striped bass, white bass, and sunshine bass (individually or
in total), of which only 6 may be 24 inches or longer in total
length.
- In the Suwannee River, areas north and west of the
Suwannee River, and in any tributary, creek or stream of the
Suwannee River: the bag limit for striped bass is 3,
each of which must be at least 18 inches in total length (20 fish
combined bag limit).
2 Butterfly peacock bass, only one
of which may be 17 inches or longer in total length.
(NOTE: It is illegal to possess
grass carp or alligator gar without a permit.)
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Triploid grass carp (Ctenopharygodon
idella) are used for aquatic vegetation control and may
not be stocked or harvested without a permit. They grow to over 40
pounds.
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Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) are
found only in the panhandle rivers and grow to more than 120
pounds. Their gator like snout is distinct. Due to limited numbers,
harvest is restricted.
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The species of sturgeon found in Florida - Gulf
sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser
brevirostrum) - are protected both federally and in the state of
Florida. No person shall take, possess or sell any sturgeon or
parts thereof, or their nests or eggs, except as allowed by
specific federal or state permit or authorization. People who
inadvertently catch one have to immediately release it alive back
to the water.
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