Lobstering Rules in the Florida Keys

The tropical waters of the Florida Keys teem with spiny lobster, an eight-legged crustacean with spiny antennae. Spiny lobsters, also called Florida spiny lobsters, vary in color from white to dark red-orange with long antennae positioned over their eyes to scare off predators. Know all the rules and regulations before you embark on a lobster fishing adventure in the Sunshine State.

  1. Seasons

    • There are two lobster seasons statewide: the two-day sport season and the regular lobster season. The two-day sport season, also called the mini lobster season, occurs annually on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. This allows recreational harvesters to catch lobsters before the commercial lobster anglers place their traps in the water. The regular lobster season lasts for eight months, starting from Aug. 6 through March 31.

    License and Permit

    • You must have a saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit to harvest spiny lobsters in Florida, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Anglers ages 16 and older can purchase a recreational license online at myfwc.com or via telephone by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website requires a credit card and a valid Florida driver license or identification card for all purchases online and via telephone. Resident and nonresident licenses are available.

    Bag and Size Limits

    • Help sustain the lobster population by adhering to the catch and size limits. Make sure that all lobsters have a carapace length greater than 3 inches before taking them. Always bring your measuring device and measure all lobsters in the water. During the mini lobster sport season, the bag limit is six per person per day for Biscayne National Park and Monroe County. The bag limit is 12 per person per day for the rest of the state. During the regular spiny lobster season, the bag limit is six per person per day.

    Prohibited Areas

    • Check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or FWC to make sure that you are harvesting lobsters in legal areas of the Keys. FWC prohibits catching lobsters in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Sombrero Key, Key Largo Dry Rocks, Looe Key, Rock Key and Sand Key. Steer clear of any coral reef when looking for lobster. FWC prohibits harvesting any lobster from or within any coral formation or patch reef.