Sheepshead regulations in Florida

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A sheepshead is a keeper today if it measures at least 12 inches, with a daily limit of 8.

Sheepshead size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Florida state waters (Atlantic & Gulf)	Open year-round	12 inch minimum	8 per person; 50 per vessel per trip in March–April

Exact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 12" total length
Limit: 8 per person; vessel limit 50 per trip during March and April
statewide — as printed: “Minimum Size Limit: 12" total length; Daily Bag Limit: 8 per person; Vessel Limit: 50 per trip during March and April; Season: Open year-round”

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

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About the sheepshead

List of common names used to refer to fish

Common names of fish can refer to a single species; to an entire group of species, such as a genus or family; or to multiple unrelated species or groups. Ambiguous common names are accompanied by their possible meanings. Scientific names for individual species and higher taxa are included in parentheses.

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

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Sheepshead in Florida?

12 inch minimum in Florida state waters.

How many Sheepshead can you keep per day in Florida?

8 per person; 50 per vessel per trip in March–April.

When is Sheepshead season in Florida?

Open year-round.

Is my Sheepshead a keeper today?

A sheepshead is a keeper today if it measures at least 12 inches, with a daily limit of 8.