The recreational harvest season for snook will open on September 1 in Florida’s east coast management regions (Southeast, Indian River Lagoon, and Northeast) and most west coast regions (Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, and Sarasota Bay).
The season will remain open through November 30 in the Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, and Sarasota Bay regions, and through December 14 in the Southeast, Indian River Lagoon, and Northeast regions. This includes all state and inland waters within each management zone.
Read: Florida Gulf Coast Fishing Report – August 30, 2024
These regional management zones are part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) holistic approach to managing one of the state’s most popular inshore fisheries.
The FWC uses seven metrics to evaluate the fishery by region, allowing for a more responsive approach to local concerns.
For more information about snook regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Snook.
Regional Snook Harvest Seasons and Regulations:
Panhandle
- Open Season: March 1 – April 30 and September 1 – November 30.
- Closed Season: December 1 – end of February and May 1 – August 31.
- Bag Limit: One fish per person per day.
- Slot Limit: 28–33 inches total length.
- Boundaries: From the Florida-Alabama border to the eastern boundary at 84°20.800′ west longitude in Franklin County, near Alligator Point.
Big Bend
- Open Season: March 1 – April 30 and September 1 – November 30.
- Closed Season: December 1 – end of February and May 1 – August 31.
- Bag Limit: One fish per person per day.
- Slot Limit: 28–33 inches total length.
- Boundaries: From 84°20.800′ west longitude in Franklin County to Fred Howard Park, near the Pasco and Pinellas county line.
Read: NHC Atlantic Hurricane Season Update: Two Potential Systems Monitored
Tampa Bay
- Open Season: March 1 – April 30 and September 1 – November 30.
- Closed Season: December 1 – end of February and May 1 – August 31.
- Bag Limit: One fish per person per day.
- Slot Limit: 28–33 inches total length.
- Boundaries: From Fred Howard Park to State Road 64 in Manatee County.
Sarasota Bay
- Open Season: March 1 – April 30 and September 1 – November 30.
- Closed Season: December 1 – end of February and May 1 – August 31.
- Bag Limit: One fish per person per day.
- Slot Limit: 28–33 inches total length.
- Boundaries: From State Road 64 in Manatee County to 27°04.727′ north latitude near Venice Municipal Airport.
Southeast
- Open Season: February 1 – May 31 and September 1 – December 14.
- Closed Season: December 15 – January 31 and June 1 – August 31.
- Bag Limit: One fish per person per day.
- Slot Limit: 28–32 inches total length.
- Boundaries: From the Martin-Palm Beach county line to the Miami-Dade/Monroe county line.
Indian River Lagoon
- Open Season: February 1 – May 31 and September 1 – December 14.
- Closed Season: December 15 – January 31 and June 1 – August 31.
- Bag Limit: One fish per person per day.
- Slot Limit: 28–32 inches total length.
- Boundaries: From Lytle Avenue/South Causeway in New Smyrna Beach to the Martin-Palm Beach county line.
Northeast
- Open Season: February 1 – May 31 and September 1 – December 14.
- Closed Season: December 15 – January 31 and June 1 – August 31.
- Bag Limit: One fish per person per day.
- Slot Limit: 28–32 inches total length.
- Boundaries: From the Florida-Georgia border to Lytle Avenue/South Causeway in New Smyrna Beach.
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