Florida Fishing

We encourage everyone to Get Outdoors Florida! and enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature in our wonderfully diverse state.

Thanks to the stewardship of generations who lived here before us, opportunities are boundless. Managing Florida’s fish and wildlife requires talent, drive, wisdom, commitment and countless other qualities in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2,000 employees. It also takes public input and the best available science.

Click here to view the most recent Saltwater Fishing Regulations.
Click here to view the most recent Freshwater Fishing Regulations.

Click here to get your fishing license online.

TYPES OF FISH CAUGHT IN LOCAL WATERS

BLUE MARLIN
Average Weight: 150 pounds Season: Winter through May Bait: whole Spanish mackerel mullet, or dolphin
World’s Record: 1,282 pounds
Food Value: Fair

DOLPHIN
Average Weight: 1 ½-8 pounds up to 60 pounds
Season: Summer
Bait: Feather jigs, ballyhoo or strip bait
World’s Record: 85 pounds
Food Value: Excellent

SAILFISH
Average Weight: 40 pounds
Season: Winter
Bait: Ballyhoo live and strip bait
World’s Record: 128 pounds
Food Value: Poor

FALSE ALBACORE (LITTLE TUNNY)
Average Weight: 8-15 pounds
Season: Year-round
Bait: Small spoons, feathers and trolling lures
Local Record: 21 pounds 12 ounces
Food Value: Poor

WAHOO
Average Weight: 45-80 pounds
Season: Year-round
Bait: Deep trolling lures
World’s Record: 149 pounds
Food Value: Excellent

MULLET
Average Weight: 1-3 pounds
Season: Year-round
Bait: Net or Snaghook
Food Value: Poor

LADYFISH
Average Weight: 1-3 pounds
Bait: Plugs or small spoons inside river or inlet
Local Record: 6 pounds 13 ounces
Food Value: Poor

COMMON SALTWATER CATFISH
Average Weight: 1-3 pounds
Season: Year-round
Bait: Shrimp or any cut bait
Food Value: Poor

GAFFTOPSAIL CATFISH
Average weight: 4-8 pounds
Season: Year-round
Bait: Shrimp or any lure
Local Record: 9 pounds 6 ounces
Food Value: Good

SHEEPSHEAD
Average weight: 2-10 lbs.
Season: Year-round
Bait: Clams, fiddler crabs, live shrimp off bridges
World’s record: 21 lbs. 4 oz.
Food value: Good

SEA TROUT
Average weight: 1 1/2-10 lbs.
Season: Fall thru Spring
Bait: Live bait, trout touts, and mirrolures
World’s record: 19 lbs. 2 oz.
Food value: Excellent

SNAPPER FAMILY
Commonly caught here: Mutton, red, California, yellowtail and mangrove
Average weight: 1/2 – 10 lbs.
Season: Year-round
Bait: Squid, feather jigs, mullet, and live or cut shrimp
Local record: (red) 59 lbs.
Food Value: Excellent