Florida’s Regular Lobster Season is August 6, 2024 through March 31, 2025. Divers descend on the waters off Florida in search of the Caribbean spiny lobster, the smooth tail spiny lobster and the spotted spiny lobster. Limits are carefully set and monitored, and licenses are required, so make sure you check for all governing regulations.
Unless exempt, a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are required to harvest spiny lobster.
Minimum Size Limit: Carapace length must be larger than 3 inches, measured in the water. Possession and use of a measuring device required at all times.
Daily Bag Limit of 6 per person for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park; 12 per person for rest of Florida
Lobster must be landed in whole condition. Separating the tail from the body is prohibited in state waters.
Prohibited Areas: Harvest of lobster is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during the sport season. At all times, harvest of lobster is prohibited in Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, no-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, in the Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Lobster Sanctuary, and in the five Coral Reef Protection Areas in Biscayne National Park.
