Florida Snook Rules
Copied from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on October 17, 2026.
Snook have a slot limit, a permit requirement and closed seasons that differ by coast.
Rules by FWC region
Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay regions
| Bag limit | 1 fish per person per day |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 28 in |
| Maximum size | 33 in |
| Season | Closed Dec 1 to end of Feb and May 1 to Aug 31 (open the rest of the year) |
| Possession / vessel limit | Not separately listed by FWC (daily bag limit applies) |
Total length. Release any fish outside the 28-33 in slot. Snook permit and fishing license required; hook and line only.
Charlotte Harbor, Southwest regions
| Bag limit | 1 fish per person per day |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 28 in |
| Maximum size | 33 in |
| Season | Closed Dec 1 to end of Feb and May 1 to Sep 30 (open the rest of the year) |
| Possession / vessel limit | Not separately listed by FWC (daily bag limit applies) |
Total length. Release any fish outside the 28-33 in slot. Snook permit and fishing license required; hook and line only.
Southeast, Indian River Lagoon, Northeast regions
| Bag limit | 1 fish per person per day |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 28 in |
| Maximum size | 32 in |
| Season | Closed Dec 15 to Jan 31 and Jun 1 to Aug 31 (open the rest of the year) |
| Possession / vessel limit | Not separately listed by FWC (daily bag limit applies) |
Total length. Release any fish outside the 28-32 in slot. Snook permit and fishing license required; hook and line only.
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/snook/. 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.