Spiny lobster sport season begins tomorrow

The 2026 Florida spiny lobster season kicks off with the two-day recreational sport season on July 29-30, followed by the spiny lobster regular season beginning Aug. 6 continuing through March 31, 2027.

Before heading out, be sure you have a valid Florida saltwater fishing license, spiny lobster permit, and are familiar with current lobster harvest regulations.

During the two-day spiny lobster sport season:

• Recreational harvesters may take up to six lobsters per person per day in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park waters.
• In all other Florida waters, recreational harvesters may take up to 12 lobsters per person per day.

Harvesters must follow these requirements:

• Lobsters must have a carapace length larger than 3 inches, measured in the water, and a measuring device must be carried at all times.
• Egg-bearing female lobsters may not be harvested.
• Lobsters must remain whole; separating tails from the body is prohibited.
• It is unlawful to use devices that puncture, penetrate, or crush the lobster shell.

Bag limits apply only to properly licensed individuals or those exempt from licensing who are actively harvesting. Non-harvesters may not be counted toward another person’s limit.

If you're bully netting this season, please be respectful of waterfront residents by keeping lights directed toward the water, avoiding shining them at homes or people, and minimizing noise whenever possible.

For more information on spiny lobster regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations,” “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish” and “Lobster.”

If you're participating in the 2026 Lionfish Challenge, you may be eligible to harvest one additional lobster per day during the two-day sport season. To qualify, recreational participants must harvest and report at least 25 lionfish, while commercial participants must harvest at least 50 pounds of lionfish. Be sure to carry your 2026 FWC issued challenge coin with you while lobstering to keep your additional lobster. Check out the Lionfish challenge MyFWC.com/LionfishChallenge.

Safety should always come first. Wear a life jacket while your boat is underway, never operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol, and always follow divers-down flag regulations. Divers must stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed flag in open water and within 100 feet when diving near an inlet or navigation channel. Boaters approaching a divers-down flag must slow to idle speed within those distances.

Don’t forget to get your license and spiny lobster permit at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. 

Visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on” Boating Regulations” and then “Divers-down Warning Devices.”