Dolphin regulations in Florida

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A dolphin is a keeper today if it measures at least 20 inches, with a daily limit of 5.

Dolphin size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Atlantic state waters	Open year-round	20 inch minimum	5 per person or 30 per vessel
Gulf state waters	Open year-round	No size limit	10 per person or 60 per vessel

Exact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: None
Limit: 10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less
Gulf — as printed: “Gulf State Waters: Minimum Size Limit: None; Daily Bag Limit: 10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less”
Atlantic — as printed: “Atlantic State Waters: Minimum Size Limit: 20" fork length; Daily Private Recreational Bag limit: 5 fish per person, or 30 fish per vessel, whichever is less”

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).

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About the dolphin

Species of fish

The mahi-mahi, common dolphinfish, dolphinfish, dolphin or dorado is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide. It is one of two members of the family Coryphaenidae, the other being the pompano dolphinfish. These fish are most commonly found in the waters around the Gulf of Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and the Indian Ocean. In Italy it is called corifena, lampuga or pesce capone, and has even given its name to the caponata though eggplant has now taken the place of the fish.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, not Wikipedia.

All 52 Florida species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Dolphin in Florida?

20 inch minimum in Florida state waters.

How many Dolphin can you keep per day in Florida?

5 per person or 30 per vessel.

When is Dolphin season in Florida?

Open year-round.

Is my Dolphin a keeper today?

A dolphin is a keeper today if it measures at least 20 inches, with a daily limit of 5.