2026 regulation year
Florida Redfish (red drum) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Sciaenops ocellatus
Last updated
Redfish are Florida's most heavily-managed inshore species. The statewide rule is a slot-based, low-bag take with several catch-and-release zones (most of the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon). Always check the zone map before retaining.
Season
Open year-round Year-round open with zone-based catch-and-release overlays.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 1 / day in most zones; 0 / day in catch-and-release zones
- Possession
- 2 in possession (most zones); 0 (catch-and-release zones)
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 18–27 in slot
- Slot
- 18–27 in
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line only — no snagging, no spearing
- Circle hooks required when fishing with natural bait in some zones
- No multi-hook bait rigs targeting redfish
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Florida waters:
Mosquito Lagoon
Catch-and-release only — no harvest year-round
Indian River Lagoon (NE zone)
Catch-and-release only
Apalachicola Bay
Zone-specific bag and slot; verify FWC zone map before fishing
Charlotte Harbor
Slot enforced; recovery still in progress post-red-tide
Official source
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission publishes the authoritative 2026 Floridafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.