Every year divers lose their catch, face heavy fines, and get their licenses suspended because they didn't know the rules before getting in the water. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) enforces lobster regulations strictly during mini season — officers are on the water in force on July 29 and 30. Know the rules before you go.
2026 Florida Spiny Lobster Season Dates
- Mini Season (Sport Season): July 29–30, 2026 — starts at 12:01 AM July 29, ends midnight July 30
- Regular Season: August 6, 2026 through March 31, 2027
- Closed period: July 31 through August 5 — no harvest of any kind
License & Permit Requirements
- Florida recreational saltwater fishing license — required for anyone 16 and older harvesting lobster in Florida state or federal waters
- Spiny lobster permit — required in addition to your fishing license. Available at myfwc.com, licensed tackle shops, and Walmart sporting goods counters
- Exemptions: Florida residents fishing from land or a structure fixed to land, residents 65 and older, and children under 16 are exempt from license requirements
Bag Limits
- Monroe County and Biscayne National Park: 6 lobsters per person per day
- All other Florida waters: 12 lobsters per person per day
- Boat limit: Cannot exceed the combined per-person limit for the number of divers on board with licenses
Size Requirements
- Minimum carapace length: Greater than 3 inches — measured from between the eyes to the back edge of the carapace
- Must be measured in the water before placing in your catch bag
- Measuring device required — must be on your person in the water at all times during lobster season. A lobster gauge is the standard tool
- Tail length alternative: Tails must be greater than 5.5 inches if separated from the body — but note that removing tails in the water or on the boat before returning to port is illegal
What You Cannot Do
- No spearing: Spears, hooks, or any device that punctures the shell is prohibited for recreational harvest
- No egg-bearing females: Any lobster carrying eggs under the tail must be immediately released. Scraping eggs off a female to make it legal to keep is a serious violation
- No removing tails in the water or at sea: Lobsters must be kept whole until you return to port
- No harvest within 100 feet of a commercial trap — marked by a buoy with the trap certificate number
- No night diving during mini season: Harvest is prohibited between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise during the two-day sport season
- No diving within 300 feet of a residential shoreline during mini season
- No harvest in certain protected areas — specific zones within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary have additional restrictions. Check the sanctuary map before diving new spots
Dive Flag Requirements
- From a vessel: Minimum 20x24 inch red flag with white diagonal stripe displayed at the highest point on the boat
- From a float or inner tube: Minimum 12x12 inch flag on a pole at least 24 inches above the water
- Boats must stay 300 feet away from a displayed dive flag in open water, 100 feet in rivers, inlets, and navigation channels
- Divers must stay within 300 feet of their displayed dive flag
Legal Catching Methods
Florida law permits the following methods for recreational spiny lobster harvest:
- Bully net
- Hoop net
- Snare — loop or noose type that does not puncture the shell
- By hand
The LobsterStick snare cinches around the tail without puncturing the shell — fully compliant with FWC regulations.
Penalties for Violations
FWC takes lobster regulation violations seriously. Common penalties include:
- Undersized lobster: Civil penalty per undersized lobster, potential license suspension
- Over bag limit: Civil penalty per lobster over the limit
- No license or permit: Fine plus potential court appearance
- Harvesting egg-bearing female: Significant fine and potential criminal charges
- Harvesting in closed area or closed season: Criminal charges possible
Always Verify Current Regulations
Lobster regulations can change year to year. Always verify the most current rules directly at myfwc.com before mini season. This article is intended as a general guide — the FWC website is the official source and takes precedence over anything published here.
Get Your Gear Ready
Now that you know the rules, make sure you have the right gear. The LobsterStick by LobsterStix is a legal, FWC-compliant 2-in-1 lobster snare and tickle stick built for Florida spiny lobster season. Made in Miami, $35, ships fast. Mini season 2026 is July 29–30 — order yours now.