Peacock Bass

Peacock Bass Fishing in Florida

The butterfly peacock is a nonnative fish that FWC introduced into the large coastal canals of southeast Florida in 1984. FWC says low water temperatures and intolerance of saltwater keep it from becoming abundant outside coastal Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Florida rules from FWC, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 9.11 lb Broward County · October 8, 2021 · Felipe Prieto

From FWC Florida Freshwater State Records, checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeFlorida record 9.11 pounds
Where it livesWarm, slow canals, ponds, lakes and rock pits in southeast Florida
What it eatsAlmost entirely fish

FWC put them into southeast Florida's coastal canals in 1984.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Statewide: when you can keep one

Florida fresh waters. FWC says the fish does not become abundant outside coastal Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

  • All anglersNo closed seasonFWC describes Florida's freshwater fisheries as having no closed seasons.
Only one of the two may be 17 inches or longer in total length.Size limit
2 per dayDaily limit. FWC notes that special bag and length limits apply to some lakes, rivers and fish management areas.

Gear rules

A game fish, so pole and line or rod and reel only, and it may not be filleted, nor the head or tail fin removed, until you have finished fishing for the day.

Questions about peacock bass

How many peacock bass can I keep?

Two a day, only one of which may be 17 inches or longer.

Where can I catch them?

FWC introduced them into the large coastal canals of southeast Florida in 1984. Low water temperatures and intolerance of saltwater keep them from becoming abundant outside coastal Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Does FWC want them released?

FWC encourages anglers to release them, especially fish longer than 14 inches, because of their value controlling nonnative forage fish. That is guidance, not law. The two-fish limit still applies.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, statewide bag and length limits and FWC, butterfly peacock profile and FWC, methods of taking freshwater fish and FWC, freshwater fishing in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.