Shrimp regulations in Florida

Shrimp · Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Shrimp has no size limit today, with 5 gallons heads-on per person per day, 5 gallons per vessel.

Shrimp size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Florida state waters	Open year-round	No size limit	5 gallons heads-on per person per day, 5 gallons per vessel
Big Bend region	Open year-round	No size limit	2 gallons heads-on per person, 5 gallons per vessel
Northeast region (inside waters)	June 1 – March 31	No size limit	5 gallons heads-on per person per day, 5 gallons per vessel

Notes

Cast nets (14 ft stretched max), dip nets, frame nets, up to 4 traps; two nets per vessel. Recreational saltwater license required unless exempt.

Exact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wording

Season: Open year-round except: NE inside waters (Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, Clay) closed Apr 1 – May 31; part of Apalachicola Bay closed Mar 1 – May 31 and Sep 15 – Dec 31
Size: None
Limit: 5 gallons heads-on per person per day, 5 gallons per vessel (Big Bend: 2 gallons per person, 5 per vessel)
Florida state waters — as printed: “Bag limit: 5 gallons (heads on) per harvester or 5 gallons (heads on) per vessel; no more than 5 gallons (heads on) per vessel at any time regardless of the number of persons onboard. Big Bend Region: 2 gallons (heads on) per person or 5 gallons (heads on) per vessel.”

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

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About the shrimp

Species of crustacean

Litopenaeus setiferus is a species of prawn found along the Atlantic coast of North America and in the Gulf of Mexico. It was the subject of the earliest shrimp fishery in the United States.

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 Shrimp in Florida?

No size limit in Florida state waters.

How many Shrimp can you keep per day in Florida?

5 gallons heads-on per person per day, 5 gallons per vessel.

When is Shrimp season in Florida?

Open year-round.

Is my Shrimp a keeper today?

Shrimp has no size limit today, with 5 gallons heads-on per person per day, 5 gallons per vessel.