Florida Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout) Rules
Copied from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on October 17, 2026.
Seatrout bag limits and seasons are set region by region.
Rules by FWC region
Panhandle region
| Bag limit | 3 fish per person per day |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 15 in |
| Maximum size | 19 in |
| Season | Closed in February (open Mar 1 to Jan 31) |
| Possession / vessel limit | Not separately listed by FWC (daily bag limit applies) |
Total length. Slot limit 15-19 in. May keep one fish over 19 in per vessel (per person if fishing from shore); it counts toward the bag limit.
Big Bend region
| Bag limit | 5 fish per person per day |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 15 in |
| Maximum size | 19 in |
| Season | Open year-round |
| Possession / vessel limit | Not separately listed by FWC (daily bag limit applies) |
Total length. Slot limit 15-19 in. May keep one fish over 19 in per vessel (per person if fishing from shore); it counts toward the bag limit.
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast regions
| Bag limit | 3 fish per person per day |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 15 in |
| Maximum size | 19 in |
| Season | Open year-round |
| Possession / vessel limit | Not separately listed by FWC (daily bag limit applies) |
Total length. Slot limit 15-19 in. May keep one fish over 19 in per vessel (per person if fishing from shore); it counts toward the bag limit.
Indian River Lagoon region
| Bag limit | 2 fish per person per day |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 15 in |
| Maximum size | 19 in |
| Season | Closed Nov 1 to Dec 31 (open Jan 1 to Oct 31) |
| Possession / vessel limit | Not separately listed by FWC (daily bag limit applies) |
Total length. Slot limit 15-19 in. Fish over 19 in may not be kept.
Northeast region
| Bag limit | 3 fish per person per day |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 15 in |
| Maximum size | 19 in |
| Season | Open year-round |
| Possession / vessel limit | Not separately listed by FWC (daily bag limit applies) |
Total length. Slot limit 15-19 in. Fish over 19 in may not be kept.
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/spotted-seatrout/. 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.