King mackerel are divided into two separate fisheries: the Atlantic fishery and the Gulf-Atlantic fishery. Bag limits vary by fishery, region, and season.
The boundaries between the Atlantic and Gulf-Atlantic fisheries shift between the summer and winter seasons. During the summer season (April 1 - Oct. 31), the Atlantic Fishery includes all Atlantic and Monroe County waters and the Gulf-Atlantic fishery includes all Gulf waters north of the Collier/Monroe County line.
During the winter season (Nov. 1 - March 31), the Atlantic fishery includes only Atlantic waters north of the Volusia/Flagler County line and the Gulf-Atlantic Fishery includes all Atlantic waters south of the Volusia/Flagler County line and all Gulf waters east of the Alabama/ Florida border.
In both the Atlantic and Gulf-Atlantic fisheries, the trip limit for the commercial harvest of king mackerel in state waters is reduced or closed in response to federal trip limit reductions and closures.
King mackerel must be at least 24 inches in fork length to be harvested and a saltwater products license, a restricted species endorsement and a federal king mackerel permit must be held to harvest king mackerel commercially. Colored areas in the vessel/trip limits chart correspond to colored area in the maps.
King Mackerel Vessel/Trip Limits:
Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler Counties
From April 1 until the EEZ closes: 3,500 lbs. daily vessel limit applies
From the date of the EEZ closure through March 31: Recreational limit
Volusia County
From April 1 until the EEZ closes: 3,500 lbs. daily vessel limit
From the date of the EEZ closure through Oct. 31: Recreational limit
From Nov. 1 until the EEZ closes: 50 fish daily vessel limit
From the date of the EEZ closure through March 31: Commercial harvesting prohibited
Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami/Dade Counties
From April 1 until the EEZ closes: 75 fish daily vessel limit
From the date of the EEZ closure through Oct. 31: Recreational limit
From Nov. 1 unil the EEZ closes: 50 fish daily vessel limit
From the date of the EEZ closure through March 31: Commercial harvest prohibited
Monroe County
From April 1 until the EEZ closes: 1250 lbs. daily vessel limit
From the date of the EEZ closure through Oct. 31: Recreational limit
From Nov. 1 until the EEZ bag limit is reduced: 1250 lbs. daily vessel limit
From the date of the bag limit reduction until the EEZ closes: 500 lbs. daily vessel limit
From EEZ closure through March 31: Commercial harvest prohibited
All Gulf coast counties except Monroe County
From July 1 until the vessel limit is reduced to 500 lbs.: 1250 lbs. daily vessel limit
From the date of the vessel limit reduction until the EEZ closes: 500 lb. daily vessel limit
From the date of the EEZ closure through June 30: Commercial harvest prohibited
Persons with Disabilities