Florida Redfish (Red Drum) Rules
Copied from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on October 17, 2026.
Redfish are one of Florida’s most popular inshore fish. Rules are set by region.
Rules by FWC region
Panhandle, Big Bend, Northeast regions
| Bag limit | 1 fish per person per day |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 18 in |
| Maximum size | 27 in |
| Season | Open year-round |
| Possession / vessel limit | Vessel limit: 4 fish |
Total length. Release any fish outside the 18-27 in slot. Hook and line or cast net only.
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast regions
| Bag limit | 1 fish per person per day |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 18 in |
| Maximum size | 27 in |
| Season | Open year-round |
| Possession / vessel limit | Vessel limit: 2 fish |
Total length. Release any fish outside the 18-27 in slot. Hook and line or cast net only.
Indian River Lagoon region
| Bag limit | Catch-and-release only (no harvest) |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | N/A |
| Maximum size | N/A |
| Season | Catch-and-release only |
| Possession / vessel limit | None (no harvest allowed) |
Indian River Lagoon region: all red drum must be released.
Which region am I in?
FWC draws these regions along the coast, and a few counties touch two of them (marked *). The official page has the exact boundaries and maps.
- Panhandle: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin*
- Big Bend: Franklin*, Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas*
- Tampa Bay: Pinellas*, Hillsborough, Manatee*
- Sarasota Bay: Manatee*, Sarasota*
- Charlotte Harbor: Sarasota*, Charlotte, Lee, Collier*
- Southwest: Collier*, Monroe
- Southeast: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach
- Indian River Lagoon: Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Brevard, Volusia*
- Northeast: Volusia*, Flagler, St. Johns, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, Clay
Check the source
Official page: https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/. Rules change, so always confirm on the official page before keeping a fish. Some waters (certain lakes, rivers, parks and Fish Management Areas) have their own rules.
Not sure what you caught? How to identify a fish from a photo. CatchCheck uses AI to identify fish from photos, and the ID can be wrong. Always confirm the species and the current rules with your state fish and wildlife agency before keeping any fish.