Florida Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ No person shall have in possession more than two days' bag limit of freshwater game fish.
- ⚠ Each angler is responsible for his or her own bag limit; it is illegal to transport more than two days' bag limit per licensed angler.
- ⚠ Nongame fishes have no bag or possession limits, except as noted in individual Fish Management Area regulations.
- ⚠ Methods: hook-and-line only for shad; check release/movement of fish rules before transporting live fish.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (Florida, largemouth, Suwannee, spotted, Choctaw, shoal) | 5 individually or in total, only 1 may be 16 in or longer | No minimum for Florida/largemouth; Suwannee, shoal, spotted, Choctaw min 12 in |
| Panfish (bluegill, redear, flier, longear, mud sunfish, warmouth, redbreast, etc.) | 50 individually or in total | |
| Crappie (speckled perch) | 25 | |
| Striped bass, white bass, sunshine bass | 20 combined, only 6 may be 24 in or longer | Suwannee River area: 3 (min 18 in); lower Ochlockonee: 3 (1 may be 24+) |
| Butterfly peacock bass | 2, only 1 may be 17 in or longer | |
| American eel | 25 per day | Min 9 in |
| Shad (Alabama, American, hickory) and blueback herring | 10 combined, hook-and-line only |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Chipola River and tributaries
- No person shall kill or possess shoal bass; any caught must be released immediately.
Wakulla River
- No person shall kill or possess Suwannee bass from the headsprings of Wakulla Springs downstream to the confluence with the St. Marks River.
St. Marys River and its tributaries
- 10 black bass, each must be 12 inches or greater in total length; two striped bass, sunshine bass or white bass, both of which must be at least 22 inches in total length; 30 crappie (speckled perch); 50 panfish (does not include crappie); 15 pickerel (chain, grass and redfin).
- Lake Talquin, Leon and Gadsden counties (including that portion of the Ochlockonee River lying between Lake Talquin and the railroad trestle that is located immediately below U.S. Highway 90, that portion of the Little River lying between Lake Talquin and County Road 268, that portion of the Rocky Comfort Creek lying between Lake Talquin and County Road 65-B, and that portion of Bear Creek lying between Lake Talquin and Bear Creek Road, those portions of Ocklawaha and Hammock creeks lying between Lake Talquin and State Road 267, those portions of Blount's, Freeman [Stoutamire], and Harvey and Polk creeks lying between Lake Talquin and State Road 20):
- Crappie less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately.
Silver Glen Springs in Lake and Marion counties and Salt Springs in Marion County
- Fishing is prohibited in and within 50 yards of the springs.
Rainbow Springs, Marion County
- Fishing is prohibited from the headwaters of Rainbow Springs to a point one mile downstream on Rainbow River within Marion County.
Wildcat Lake, Marion County (Ocala National Forest)
- Black bass must be released immediately.
- St. Johns River Water Management Area (Farm 13, including the Stick Marsh),
Indian River and Brevard counties
- Black bass must be released immediately.
- Fellsmere Water Management Area (commonly known as Headwaters Lake and Egan Lake), Indian River County:
- Black bass must be released immediately.
- Circle hooks required when fishing with natural bait greater than 3” in length.
S.N. Knight Tract, Indian River County (locally known as Kenansville Lake)
- Black bass must be released immediately.
Lake Okeechobee
- Crappie (speckled perch) less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately. Lake Okeechobee, for purposes of these rules, is defined as any point lakeward of a boundary line delineated by the following points:
- Intersection of St. Rd. 78 and U.S. 441
- U.S. 441 SE to St. Rd. 5 (“80”)
- St. Rd. 5 (“80”) to St. Rd. 25 (U.S. 27)
- St. Rd. 25 (U.S. 27) to St. Rd. 78
- St. Rd. 78 to U.S. 441
Including
- Harney Pond Canal (C-41) north of St. Rd. 78 to South Florida Water Mgmnt. District (SFWMD) structure S-71
- C-41-A Canal, southeast of S-84
- Indian Prairie Canal (C-40) north of St. Rd. 78 to SFWMD structure S-72
- All of Taylor Creek and Nubbin Slough in Okeechobee County
- C-38/Kissimmee River south of SFWMD structure S-65E to St. Rd. 78
- All of L-50 Canal in Glades County
- Fisheating Creek to U. S. 27
- All of Sportsman’s Canal (LD-3) in Glades County
Perdido River
- 10 black bass; 15 striped bass, white bass and sunshine bass (only 5 of which may be 22 inches or longer in total length); 30 crappie (speckled perch, all of which must by 9 inches or longer); 50 panfish (does not include crappie, possession limit is 50 fish total, regardless of species).
Lake Jackson (Walton County)
- 5 black bass (all of which must be 12 inches or greater in total length, only one of which may be longer than 22 inches in total length); 15 striped bass, white bass and sunshine bass (only 5 of which may be 22 inches or longer in total length); 30 crappie (speckled perch); 50 panfish (does not include crappie, possession limit is 50 fish total, regardless of species).
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- Copyright 1999 - 2026 State of Florida.
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Al Lopez Park Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Alligator Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Bethesda Pond
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Black bass must be released immediately. Clear Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Black bass must be released immediately. No bag limit for channel catfish. Lake Marian
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Black bass must be released immediately. Secret Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Caloosa Park Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Cast nets are prohibited. Hal-Scott Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
All Bear Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
All East Lake Tohopekaliga
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
All Lake Tarpon
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
All Plantation Heritage Park Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Bear Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Bobby Hicks Park Pond
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Clear Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Dover District Park Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Eagle Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
East Lake Tohopekaliga
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Edward Medard Park Reservoir
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Fox Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Freedom Lake Park
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Gadsden Park Pond
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Hal-Scott Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Huguenot Pond
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Hurricane Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Joe Budd Pond
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Juniper Bay Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Karick Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Koon Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Blue Cypress
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Crago
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Dias
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Griffin
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Istokpoga
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Ivanhoe
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Jackson
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Lawne
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Marian
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Okeeheelee
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Panasoffkee
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Parker
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Piney Z
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Santiago in Demetree Park
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Seminole
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Stone
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Tarpon
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Thonotosassa
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Underhill
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lake Victor
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lakes Hatchineha and Kissimmee
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lakes Lochloosa and Orange
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Lang Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Manatee Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Middle Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Montgomery Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Newnans Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Oceanway Pond
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Pellicer Pond
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Plantation Heritage Park Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Secret Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
South Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Starke Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Steven J. Wortham Park Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Suwannee Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Turkey Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Walsingham Park Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Watertown Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Webb Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
F.A.C. Lake Jackson
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
F.A.C. Lake Panasoffkee
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
F.A.C. Manatee Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Hillsborough County and posted at the park main entrance. Webb Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Mill Pond
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
No bag limit for channel catfish. Bobby Hicks Park Pond
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
No bag limit for channel catfish. Edward Medard Park Reservoir
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
No bag limit for channel catfish. Koon Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
No bag limit for channel catfish. Lake Griffin
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
No bag limit for channel catfish. Lake Piney Z
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Open to fishing Cast nets and minnow seines are prohibited. No bag limit for channel catfish. Turkey Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Open to fishing No airboats for fishing or frogging. No bag limit for channel catfish. South Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Open to fishing No airboats for fishing or frogging. Trotlines may be used. No bag limit for channel catfish. Lake Ivanhoe
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Open to fishing No bag limit for channel catfish. Fox Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Open to fishing. Taking of fish or wildlife with firearms is prohibited. No bag limit for channel catfish. Montgomery Lake
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Sunday through Thursday. No bag limit for channel catfish. Lake Parker
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Sunday through Thursday. No bag limit for channel catfish. Lake Seminole
- Fish Management Area: special bag limits and methods apply (stocked; see FWC FMA regulations for this water).
Seasons
Freshwater game fish seasons are open year-round in Florida except where noted for specific waters or species.
Licence Fees
Resident (16-64): freshwater license required; nonresident 16+: required. Fees per FWC; many Fish Management Area lakes stocked (channel catfish, bass, sunshine bass).
Edition: FWC Freshwater Fishing Regulations 2026 · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations)
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