Season board · as of Oct 24, 2026 (Central)
Regs last checked: Oct 24, 2026. Status is worked out from the official dates on that day. When FWC or NOAA changes a season mid-year, we update it, but always tap the source link before you keep a fish. If we couldn't verify a date, we say "check FWC" instead of guessing.
| Species | Waters | Status today | Next 7 days | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Snapper | Private boats, Gulf state + federal waters | Open through Oct 25, 2026 | Open Sat 10/24–Sun 10/25, Fri 10/30 | FWC FWC |
| Red Snapper | Federally permitted for-hire boats | Open through Oct 25, 2026 | Open Sat 10/24–Sun 10/25 | NOAA |
| Gag & Red Grouper | Gag, Gulf state + federal waters | Closed Oct. 1, 2026 for the rest of 2026. 2027 dates aren't posted yet: check FWC. | Closed all week | FWC NOAA |
| Gag & Red Grouper | Red grouper, Gulf state waters | Open year-round | Open all 7 days | FWC |
| Gag & Red Grouper | Red grouper, Gulf federal waters | Open (partial closure starts Feb 1, 2027) | Open all 7 days | FWC |
| Gray Triggerfish | Gulf state + federal waters | Open through Dec 31, 2026 | Open all 7 days | FWC Gulf Council |
| Greater Amberjack | Gulf state + federal waters | Closed since Oct. 14, 2026. No reopening posted: check FWC. | Closed all week | FWC NOAA |
| King Mackerel | Gulf state waters | Open year-round | Open all 7 days | FWC |
| King Mackerel | Gulf federal waters | Open year-round | Open all 7 days | Gulf Council NOAA |
| Cobia | Gulf state waters | Open: no closed season listed | Open all 7 days | FWC |
| Cobia | Gulf federal waters | Open year-round | Open all 7 days | Gulf Council NOAA |
| Redfish (Red Drum) | Panhandle Region (state waters) | Open year-round | Open all 7 days | FWC |
| Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout) | Panhandle Region (inland, state + adjacent federal) | Open through Jan 31, 2027 | Open all 7 days | FWC |
| Flounder | Gulf state + federal waters | Closed. Next open day: Dec 1, 2026 | Closed all week | FWC |
| Florida Pompano | Gulf state + federal waters | Open year-round | Open all 7 days | FWC |
| Spanish Mackerel | Gulf state waters | Open year-round | Open all 7 days | FWC |
| Spanish Mackerel | Gulf federal waters | Open year-round | Open all 7 days | Gulf Council NOAA |
| Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish) | Gulf state waters | Open: no closed season listed | Open all 7 days | FWC |
| Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish) | Gulf federal waters | Check NOAA before you keep one | — | NOAA |
"Gulf state waters" means shore to 9 nautical miles off Florida's Gulf coast; federal waters are beyond that. Federally permitted for-hire boats follow federal rules. Private boats fishing for snapper, grouper, amberjack or triggerfish also need the free State Reef Fish Angler designation.
Open now: quick links
License basics
A Florida saltwater license is required to land saltwater fish in Florida, whether you caught them in state or federal waters. FWC's listed prices: resident annual $17.00, resident five-year $79.00, non-resident annual $47.00, non-resident 3-day $17.00, non-resident 7-day $30.00. Florida residents can get a no-cost shoreline-only license (it's not valid from a boat). You don't need your own license on a for-hire boat with a valid charter license, or on a pier with a valid saltwater pier license (FWC exemptions). FWC license page · prices checked Oct 24, 2026.
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