SlotGaugeCheck a catchSpiny Lobster regulations in Florida
· Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season
Spiny Lobster size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida state waters (Atlantic & Gulf) | August 6 – March 31 | 3 inch minimum | 6 per person (regular season) |
Notes
- Two-day sport season: last consecutive Wednesday–Thursday of July (6 per person in Monroe County/Biscayne NP, 12 elsewhere). Land whole; carry a gauge.
Exact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wording
- Season
- Regular season Aug. 6-March 31; sport season last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July
- Size
- Carapace length must be larger than 3 inches, measured in the water
- Limit
- 6 per person (regular season); sport season 6 per person in Monroe County/Biscayne NP, 12 elsewhere
- statewide — as printed
- “Regular Season: Aug. 6-March 31; Minimum Size: Carapace length must be larger than 3 inches, measured in the water; Daily Bag Limit (Regular Season): 6 per person”
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the spiny lobster
Species of crustacean
Panulirus argus, the Caribbean spiny lobster, is a species of spiny lobster that lives on reefs and in mangrove swamps in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Read more about Panulirus argus on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, not Wikipedia.
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Spiny Lobster in Florida?
3 inch minimum in Florida state waters.
How many Spiny Lobster can you keep per day in Florida?
6 per person (regular season).
When is Spiny Lobster season in Florida?
August 6 – March 31.
Is my Spiny Lobster a keeper today?
A spiny lobster is a keeper today if it measures at least 3 inches, with a daily limit of 6.