Fishing Guides

Short, plain-language guides for anglers who want to know what they caught and whether they can keep it.

• How to Identify a Fish From a Photo: Body shape, mouth, fins, tail and markings, plus how to take a photo that gets a good ID.
• Fishing in a New State? 6 Things to Check Before You Keep a Fish: License, species rules, size, bag limits, seasons and special waters: a pre-trip checklist.
• Bag Limits, Slot Limits and Closed Seasons, Explained: Plain-English definitions of the limits that decide whether you can keep a fish.
• Redfish vs. Black Drum: How to Tell Them Apart: Chin whiskers, tail spots, color and body shape: the clues that separate these look-alikes.

Fishing in Florida? See the verified Florida rules.

Identify your catch