Size, bag and season for recreational spotted seatrout in Florida (Atlantic) waters, as published by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Also on the agency page: Atlantic-coast regions differ: Northeast (FL-GA line south to IRL region, incl. St. Johns River): 15–19", 3/day, no fish >19", year-round. Indian River Lagoon (south of 29°01.755'N in Volusia to Martin-Palm Beach line): 15–19", 2/day, no fish >19", CLOSED Nov 1–Dec 31 (open Jan 1–Oct 31). Southeast (Martin-Palm Beach line to Miami-Dade/Monroe line): 15–19", 3/day, one fish >19" per vessel (or per shore angler) within bag, year-round. Rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters.
This rule has area, mode or permit conditions that do not fit in a summary. Read the agency page before you keep a fish.
Stale: this row was last checked Oct 10, 2026, past our 30-day limit. Treat it as history and go to the agency page.
Rules change in season, sometimes by emergency notice. This page summarizes the agency page on the date shown. If this summary and the agency page disagree, the agency page controls.
Seatrout rules often combine a slot or minimum with a one-fish allowance over a set length. A hard winter cold snap can bring an emergency closure with little notice.
Florida (Atlantic) rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Spotted seatrout are managed by the states through ASMFC. The fishery is almost entirely in estuaries and nearshore state waters. ASMFC · spotted seatrout ↗
Rules for the same fish change at the state line. If you run across it or land in the next state, those rules apply.
| State | Size | Bag | Status as of Oct 13, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 14" total length minimum | 10 per person per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Georgia | 14" total length minimum | 15 per person per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 15"–19" total length (slot) | Northeast Region: 3 per person per day; no fish over 19" | Openas of Oct 13 · Open in part from Nov 1 |
All 7 states for spotted seatrout →
Attributed operator claims, not verified catches. The full Bite Wire →
Captain Roger Bump's October 1 forecast for northeast Florida described redfish on shallow flats and creek systems, taking live shrimp under popping corks and weedless soft plastics. Flounder were moving to grass lines and dock structure as October cooling began, with speckled trout on topwater near grass edges.
