Spotted Seatrout
SW Florida Catch-and-Release Measures
Spotted seatrout is catch-and-release only in state and federal waters from the Hernando/Pasco county line south to Gordon Pass in Collier County through May 31, 2021.
This is a proactive change to conserve spotted seatrout impacted by the prolonged red tide in southwest Florida. While these species need additional time to recover, the red tide that was impacting southwest Florida has subsided.
These catch-and-release measures remain in effect through May 31, 2021, and are not replaced by the statewide regulations changes that went into effect Feb. 1, 2020.
Spotted Seatrout Management Zones
State and federal waters off Florida
- 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 Seatrout Management Zone
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
Bag limit: 3 per harvester
Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip
Slot limit: More than 15" and less than 19" total length
May possess one over 19 inches per vessel included in the bag limit
Seasons and other regulations
Closed February
Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net
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.
NOTE: Spotted seatrout remain catch-and-release in Pasco County, as well as waters south of Pasco County through Gordon Pass in Collier County, through May 31, 2021.
Limits
Bag limit: 5 per harvester
Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip
Slot limit: More than 15" and less than 19" total length
May possess one over 19 inches per vessel included in the bag limit
Seasons and other regulations
Open year-round
(except waters from the Hernando/Pasco county line south through Gordon Pass in Collier County, which are catch-and-release through May 31, 2021)
Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net
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 through Gordon Pass in Collier County through May 31, 2021.
Limits
Bag limit: 3 per harvester
Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip
Slot limit: More than 15" and less than 19" total length
May possess one over 19 inches per vessel included in the bag limit
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Seasons and other regulations
Open year-round
(except waters from the Hernando/Pasco county line south through Gordon Pass in Collier County, which are catch-and-release through May 31, 2021)
Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net
Area
Palm Beach through Volusia counties.
Limits
Bag limit: 2 per harvester
Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip
Slot limit: More than 15" and less than 19" total length
May possess one over 19 inches per vessel included in the bag limit
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Seasons and other regulations
Closed Nov. 1-Dec. 31
Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net
Area
Flagler through Nassau counties.
Limits
Bag limit: 5 per harvester
Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip
Slot limit: More than 15" and less than 19" total length
May possess one over 19 inches per vessel included in the bag limit
Seasons and other regulations
Open year-round
Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net