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Spotted Seatrout regulations in Florida

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Spotted Seatrout
Is it a keeper? A spotted seatrout is a keeper today if it measures under 19 inches, with a daily limit of 3.

Spotted Seatrout size limit, season and daily limit

WhereSeasonSize limitDaily limit
Northeast regionOpen year-roundunder 19 inches3 per person per day
Indian River Lagoon regionJanuary 1 – October 31under 19 inches2 per person per day
Southeast regionOpen year-round15–19 inch slot3 per person per day
Southwest regionOpen year-round15–19 inch slot3 per person per day
Charlotte Harbor regionOpen year-round15–19 inch slot3 per person per day
Sarasota Bay regionOpen year-round15–19 inch slot3 per person per day
Tampa Bay regionOpen year-round15–19 inch slot3 per person per day
Big Bend regionOpen year-round15–19 inch slot5 per person per day
Panhandle regionMarch 1 – January 3115–19 inch slot3 per person per day

Exact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wording

Season
Open year-round
Size
May not possess fish larger than 19 inches total length
Limit
Three fish per person per day
Northeast — as printed
“Northeast Region: Open year-round; May not possess fish larger than 19 inches total length; Three fish per person per day”
Indian River Lagoon — as printed
“Indian River Lagoon Region: Open Jan. 1 – Oct. 31 (closed November 1 – December 31); May not possess fish larger than 19 inches total length; Two fish per person per day”
Southeast — as printed
“Southeast Region: Open year-round; Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length; one fish over 19 inches per person/vessel; Three fish per person per day”
Southwest — as printed
“Southwest Region: Open year-round; Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length; one fish over 19 inches per person/vessel; Three fish per person per day”
Charlotte Harbor — as printed
“Charlotte Harbor Region: Open year-round; Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length; one fish over 19 inches per person/vessel; Three fish per person per day”
Sarasota Bay — as printed
“Sarasota Bay Region: Open year-round; Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length; one fish over 19 inches per person/vessel; Three fish per person per day”
Tampa Bay — as printed
“Tampa Bay Region: Open year-round; Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length; one fish over 19 inches per person/vessel; Three fish per person per day”
Big Bend — as printed
“Big Bend Region: Open year-round; Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length; one fish over 19 inches per person/vessel; Five fish per person per day”
Panhandle — as printed
“Panhandle Region: Open March 1 – Jan. 31 (closed February); Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length; one fish over 19 inches per person/vessel; Three fish per person per day”

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

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About the spotted seatrout

Cynoscion nebulosus

Species of fish

Spotted seatrout, also known as speckled trout, is a common estuarine fish found in the southern United States along coasts of Gulf of Mexico and the coastal Atlantic Ocean from Maryland to Florida. While most of these fish are caught on shallow, grassy flats, spotted seatrout reside in virtually any inshore waters, from the surf of outside islands to far up coastal rivers, where they often come for shelter during cold weather. Contrary to its name, the spotted seatrout is not a member of the trout family (Salmonidae), but of the drum family (Sciaenidae). It is popular for commercial and especially recreational fishing in coastal waters of the southeastern United States. Adults reach 19–37 inches in length and 3–17 pounds in weight.

Read more about Cynoscion nebulosus on Wikipedia →

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 Spotted Seatrout in Florida?

under 19 inches in Florida state waters.

How many Spotted Seatrout can you keep per day in Florida?

3 per person per day.

When is Spotted Seatrout season in Florida?

Open year-round.

Is my Spotted Seatrout a keeper today?

A spotted seatrout is a keeper today if it measures under 19 inches, with a daily limit of 3.