Spotted Seatrout
Spotted Seatrout Management Zones
Regulations extend into federal waters.
- Western Panhandle: Escambia County through the portions of Gulf County west of longitude 85 degrees, 13.76 minutes but NOT including Indian Pass/Indian Lagoon.
- Big Bend: Remaining portion of Gulf County plus Indian Lagoon, and Franklin County through Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line.
- South: Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line through Broward County.
- Central East: Palm Beach through Volusia counties.
- Northeast: Flagler through Nassau counties.
Western Panhandle-Big Bend Spotted Seatrout Management Zone Boundary
Regulations
Area
Escambia County through the portions of Gulf County west of longitude 85 degrees, 13.76 minutes but NOT including Indian Pass/Indian Lagoon.
Limits
Slot limit: 15-24 inches
Daily harvest limit:
50 fish per person per day or per vessel, whichever is less
Commercial vessel limit of 100 when two or more licensed fishermen are aboard
Seasons
Open Season: June 1-Oct. 31
*NOTE: 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.
Area
Remaining portion of Gulf County plus Indian Lagoon, and Franklin County through Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line.
Limits
Slot limit: 15-24 inches
Daily harvest limit:
50 fish per person per day or per vessel, whichever is less
Commercial vessel limit of 100 when two or more licensed fishermen are aboard
Seasons and other regulations
Open Season: June 1-Oct. 31
*NOTE: 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.
Area
Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line through Broward County.
Limits
Slot limit: 15-24 inches
Daily harvest limit:
50 fish per person per day or per vessel, whichever is less
Commercial vessel limit of 100 when two or more licensed fishermen are aboard
Seasons
Open Season: June 1-Oct. 31
*NOTE: 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.
Area
Palm Beach through Volusia counties.
Limits
Slot limit: 15-24 inches
Daily harvest limit:
50 fish per person per day or per vessel, whichever is less
Commercial vessel limit of 100 when two or more licensed fishermen are aboard
Seasons
Open Season: May 1-Sept. 30
*NOTE: 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.
Area
Flagler through Nassau counties.
Limits
Slot limit: 15-24 inches
Daily harvest limit:
50 fish per person per day or per vessel, whichever is less
Commercial vessel limit of 100 when two or more licensed fishermen are aboard
Seasons
Open Season: June 1-Nov. 30
*NOTE: 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)
Gear Requirements:
hook and line, cast net
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles