Snook

Snook Fishing in Florida

Snook live inshore in coastal waters, including mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds, beaches and around structure. FWC allows hook and line only, lists a snook permit and a recreational fishing license as the license requirements, and sets closed seasons in every region.

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

  • 45.75 lb Sebastian · August 23, 2015 · Heather Lynn Connors

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to 48 inches and 50 pounds
Where it livesMangrove shorelines, seagrass, beaches and around structure
What it eatsFish and large crustaceans

FWC says snook begin life as males, and between 18 and 22 inches long some become females.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • FWC says the snook rules apply in all inland, state and adjacent federal waters.
  • The slot differs by coast: 28 to 33 inches total length in the Gulf regions, 28 to 32 inches total length in the Atlantic regions.
  • Before buying a snook permit, FWC says to check current regulations in the area you plan to fish. All sales are final, with no refund even if snook is closed to harvest.
  • During the closed seasons you may not keep any snook you catch; FWC says to release out-of-season snook.

Panhandle (Gulf): when you can keep one

Florida-Alabama border east into Franklin County.

  • All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons.
28 to 33 inches total lengthSize limit
1 per person per dayDaily limit. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Big Bend (Gulf): when you can keep one

Near Alligator Point in Franklin County east and south to Fred Howard Park, near the Pasco and Pinellas county border.

  • All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons.
28 to 33 inches total lengthSize limit
1 per person per dayDaily limit. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Tampa Bay (Gulf): when you can keep one

Fred Howard Park south to State Road 64 in Manatee County.

  • All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons.
28 to 33 inches total lengthSize limit
1 per person per dayDaily limit. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Sarasota Bay (Gulf): when you can keep one

State Road 64 south to near Venice.

  • All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons.
28 to 33 inches total lengthSize limit
1 per person per dayDaily limit. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Charlotte Harbor (Gulf): when you can keep one

Near Venice south to near Vanderbilt Beach Road in Collier County.

  • All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to September 30FWC closed seasons. The summer closure runs a month longer here than in the northern Gulf regions.
28 to 33 inches total lengthSize limit
1 per person per dayDaily limit. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Southwest (Gulf): when you can keep one

Near Vanderbilt Beach Road through the Florida Keys to the Monroe and Miami-Dade line, including Everglades National Park.

  • All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to September 30FWC closed seasons. The summer closure runs a month longer here than in the northern Gulf regions.
28 to 33 inches total lengthSize limit
1 per person per dayDaily limit. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Southeast (Atlantic): when you can keep one

Martin and Palm Beach county line south to the Miami-Dade and Monroe county line. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.

  • All anglersHarvest closed December 15 to January 31, and June 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons for the Atlantic regions.
28 to 32 inches total lengthSize limit
1 per person per dayDaily limit. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Indian River Lagoon (Atlantic): when you can keep one

New Smyrna Beach south to the Martin and Palm Beach county line, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River.

  • All anglersHarvest closed December 15 to January 31, and June 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons for the Atlantic regions.
28 to 32 inches total lengthSize limit
1 per person per dayDaily limit. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Northeast (Atlantic): when you can keep one

Florida-Georgia border south to New Smyrna Beach, including the St. Johns River.

  • All anglersHarvest closed December 15 to January 31, and June 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons for the Atlantic regions.
28 to 32 inches total lengthSize limit
1 per person per dayDaily limit. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Gear rules

Hook and line only. Fish must stay whole until landed ashore, and no commercial harvest or sale of snook is allowed.

Questions about snook

Do I need a snook permit?

Yes. FWC lists a snook permit and a recreational fishing license as the license requirements for snook.

Is the slot the same on both coasts?

No. The Gulf regions use 28 to 33 inches total length; the Atlantic regions use 28 to 32 inches.

How many can I keep?

One per person per day in every region. The captain and crew cannot keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Can I still book a snook trip when harvest is closed?

Release it. FWC says do not keep any snook during the closed seasons, and to release out-of-season snook.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, snook regulations and FWC, snook profile and FWC, a sketch of the common snook in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.