2026 regulation year
Florida Spotted seatrout 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Cynoscion nebulosus
Last updated
Spotted seatrout (specks) are a flats-and-grass-bed staple across all Florida coasts. Effective April 1, 2026, FWC replaced the old zone scheme with a nine-region 'holistic' management approach (Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast, Indian River Lagoon, Northeast). Every region shares a 15–19 in slot; the daily bag is three fish in most regions, five in the Big Bend, and two in the Indian River Lagoon. A single fish over 19 in may be kept per vessel (per person if shore-fishing) — except in the Indian River Lagoon and Northeast regions, which allow no over-slot fish.
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Season
Open year-round in most regions. The Panhandle region is closed in February; the Indian River Lagoon region is closed Nov 1 – Dec 31. (New nine-region rule effective April 1, 2026.)
– Panhandle
Open; the Panhandle closes for the month of February
– Panhandle
Reopens Mar 1 after the February closure
– Indian River Lagoon
Closed Nov 1 – Dec 31
– Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast
Open year-round
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 3 / day in most regions; 5 / day in the Big Bend; 2 / day in the Indian River Lagoon
- Possession
- No separate possession limit — the per-person daily bag governs
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 15–19 in slot; one fish over 19 in per vessel (per person from shore), not allowed in the Indian River Lagoon or Northeast regions
- Slot
- 15–19 in; one over-slot fish per vessel (excluded in Indian River Lagoon & Northeast)
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line only — no spearing, no commercial nets in sport zones
- Circle hooks recommended with natural bait
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Florida waters:
Apalachicola Bay (Panhandle region)
3 / day, 15–19 in slot; the Panhandle region is closed for the month of February
Indian River Lagoon region (incl. Mosquito Lagoon & Banana River)
2 / day, 15–19 in slot, no over-slot fish; closed Nov 1 – Dec 31
Big Bend (Steinhatchee, Crystal River, Homosassa)
5 / day, 15–19 in slot, one over 19 in per vessel
Tampa Bay
3 / day, 15–19 in slot, one over 19 in per vessel
Florida Bay (Everglades NP, Southwest region)
3 / day, 15–19 in slot; park-specific rules layer on top of the state slot
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.
The spotted seatrout rules on this page are sourced from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's official spotted seatrout regulation page.
Visit official Florida fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
Spotted seatrout closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's emergency-order feed — check it before any Florida trip during the active season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is spotted seatrout season in Florida?
- Open year-round in most regions. The Panhandle region is closed in February; the Indian River Lagoon region is closed Nov 1 – Dec 31. (New nine-region rule effective April 1, 2026.) Those are the 2026 Florida dates; always confirm against Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
- What is the Florida bag limit for spotted seatrout?
- The Florida daily bag limit for spotted seatrout is 3 / day in most regions; 5 / day in the Big Bend; 2 / day in the Indian River Lagoon. The possession limit is No separate possession limit — the per-person daily bag governs. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
- What size spotted seatrout can you keep in Florida?
- The Florida size rule for spotted seatrout is 15–19 in slot; one fish over 19 in per vessel (per person from shore), not allowed in the Indian River Lagoon or Northeast regions. Slot limit: 15–19 in; one over-slot fish per vessel (excluded in Indian River Lagoon & Northeast).
- Do you need a license to fish for spotted seatrout in Florida?
- Yes. Florida requires a valid fishing license to fish for spotted seatrout, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Florida license — compare resident and non-resident Florida fees on the state regulations page below.
- Are there gear restrictions for spotted seatrout in Florida?
- Yes. In Florida, spotted seatrout fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line only — no spearing, no commercial nets in sport zones; Circle hooks recommended with natural bait.
- Do specific Florida waters have different spotted seatrout rules?
- Yes. 5 named Florida waters carry rules that override the statewide spotted seatrout regulation, including Apalachicola Bay (Panhandle region), Indian River Lagoon region (incl. Mosquito Lagoon & Banana River), Big Bend (Steinhatchee, Crystal River, Homosassa), and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.