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.
NOTE: Spotted seatrout is catch-and-release in all waters from the Hernando/Pasco county line south through Gordon Pass in Collier County through May 31, 2021.
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
South of State Road 64 in Manatee County (including Palma Sola Bay but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River) through Gordon Pass in Collier County
- Spotted seatrout harvest has a three-fish bag limit and a six-fish vessel limit.
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.
South of State Road 64 in Manatee County (including Palma Sola Bay but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River) through Gordon Pass in Collier County
- Spotted seatrout harvest will resume June 1, 2021, with a three-fish daily bag limit and a six-fish vessel limit.
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