Guide · FWC limits
Is this fish legal to keep in Florida?
Updated October 5, 2026
To know whether you can keep a fish in Florida, check four things: the species, its length measured the way FWC requires, whether the season is open in your region, and the bag limit. Newbreeds checks species and length against FWC's Gulf limits as you log a catch and tells you keeper or release, with a link to FWC to confirm.
Check it in four steps
- Identify the species. Limits are set per species, and look-alikes such as gag and black grouper have different rules.
- Measure it the right way. Most Florida limits use total length: from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the tail, with the tail squeezed together. Some species, including cobia, king mackerel and pompano, use fork length: from the tip of the closed mouth to the fork of the tail.
- Check the season for your region. Snook, redfish and spotted seatrout have regional rules, and snook harvest is closed for much of the year.
- Check the bag and vessel limit. Some limits are per person and some per boat, and grouper and snapper share aggregate limits.
Quick chart: popular Gulf species
| Species | Size | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snook | 28–33" slot (total length) | 1 per harvester | Open Mar.–Apr. and Sept.–Nov. (Tampa Bay/Panhandle/Big Bend/Southwest regions) |
| Redfish | 18–27" slot (total length) | 1 per harvester, not to exceed 2 per vessel (Tampa Bay/Sarasota/Charlotte Harbor/SW/SE regions) | Open year-round |
| Spotted Seatrout | 15–19" slot (total length) | 3 per harvester (Tampa Bay and most Gulf regions) | Open year-round |
| Mangrove Snapper | 10" minimum (total length) | 5 per harvester | Open year-round |
| Flounder | 14" minimum (total length) | 5 per harvester | Closed Oct. 15–Nov. 30 |
| Cobia | 36" minimum (fork length) | 1 per harvester, not to exceed 2 per vessel | Open year-round |
| Gag Grouper | 24" minimum (total length) | 2 per harvester (within the 4-fish Gulf grouper aggregate) | Check MyFWC.com for the current-year Gulf season dates |
| Red Snapper | 16" minimum (total length) | 2 per harvester | Check MyFWC.com for the current-year Gulf season dates |
Every regulated species is in our full Florida Gulf chart.
Not legal advice. These are Florida's Gulf-zone limits (Tampa Bay region where FWC sets regional rules), checked against FWC on July 1, 2026. Limits change by region, gear and date — confirm on MyFWC.com before you keep a fish.
Check it as you log
In Newbreeds, pick the species and enter the length when you log a catch, and it tells you keeper or release against FWC's limits, with a link to FWC to confirm. It's an advisory check, not legal advice.
Other tools
- MyFWC.com: the official source for every Florida limit.
- Fish Rules: a regulations app that shows limits by location.
- Fish|Hunt FL: FWC's app for your fishing license.
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Questions
How do I measure a fish for Florida size limits?
Most Florida limits use total length: from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the tail, with the tail squeezed together. Some species, including cobia, king mackerel and pompano, use fork length: from the tip of the closed mouth to the fork of the tail.
What is the snook size limit in Florida?
In Florida's Gulf waters, including Tampa Bay, snook must be within the 28–33" slot (total length) to keep, with a bag limit of 1 per harvester. Season: Open Mar.–Apr. and Sept.–Nov. (Tampa Bay/Panhandle/Big Bend/Southwest regions).
What is the redfish slot limit in Florida?
In Florida's Gulf waters, redfish must be within the 18–27" slot (total length) to keep. Bag limit: 1 per harvester, not to exceed 2 per vessel (Tampa Bay/Sarasota/Charlotte Harbor/SW/SE regions).
Is there an app that tells me if a fish is legal to keep in Florida?
Yes. Newbreeds checks your fish's species and length against FWC's Gulf limits when you log it and tells you keeper or release, with a link to FWC to confirm. Fish Rules is a regulations-only alternative.