Key West Fishing Regulations 2026: License, Size, Limits

Fishing in Florida requires following strict regulations. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) enforces these rules to protect our reefs and fish populations. Know them, follow them, and fish responsibly. Violations are expensive and serious.

Fishing License Requirements

Who needs a license? Anyone 16+ who fishes in Florida waters (salt or fresh) needs a valid fishing license.

Exceptions:

• Charter boat anglers (licensed captain covers you)
• Private boat with Florida resident under 16
• Military on active duty (special exemption)

License types for 2026:

• 3-day tourist license: $17
• 7-day tourist license: $30
• Annual resident license: $47
• Annual non-resident license: $67

Buy licenses online at license.gooutdoorsflorida.com or at local tackle shops. Instant digital licenses available.

Captain Dane's Charters: License Included

Common Fish Species: Size Limits 2026

Species	Min Size	Bag Limit	Notes
Red Grouper	20"	3 per day	Closed June 1–Aug 31
Nassau Grouper	20"	Protected	No harvest allowed
Yellowtail Snapper	10"	10 per day	Shallow reef staple
Mutton Snapper	16"	5 per day	Deep reef species
King Mackerel	24"	3 per day	Highly regulated
Mahi-Mahi	20"	10 per day	Open water species
Cobia	33"	1 per day	Premium eating
Tarpon	77"–8'1"	Catch & Release	Protected, no harvest
Permit	24"	Protected	No harvest; catch/release only
Bonefish	Minimum: 8"	Protected in most areas	Catch & release strongly encouraged

Spearfishing Regulations

Who can spearfish? Florida residents only (non-residents need special exemption). Spearfishing is restricted to saltwater.

Spearfishing rules:

• No nighttime spearfishing (1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise)
• No power heads or explosives (pole spear or gun only)
• Protected species cannot be speared (see below)
• Size/bag limits same as fishing (follow the table above)
• Dive flag required (red & white 12"x12")
• No spearfishing in marine reserves or protected areas

Protected Species (NO HARVEST)

Never spear, hook, or keep these fish—it's illegal:

• Tarpon (all sizes)
• Permit (all sizes)
• Nassau Grouper
• Goliath Grouper
• Snook
• Spotted eagle ray
• Sea turtles (all species)
• Billfish (marlin, sailfish)

Violations on protected species result in hefty fines ($500–5,000+) and possible jail time.

Seasonal Closures 2026

Grouper Closure: June 1 – August 31 (no grouper fishing)

King Mackerel Closure: March 1 – April 30 in Atlantic (varies by zone; check FWC)

Other Seasonal Restrictions: Various snapper closures by species and area. Check FWC calendar monthly.

Measuring Your Fish Correctly

FWC has strict rules on how to measure fish:

• Measure from tip of nose to end of tail (fork length for some species)
• Mouth closed, fish on flat surface
• Use a marked measuring board
• If fish is even 1/4" under minimum, it's illegal to keep

Use a fish measuring board to be precise and legal. It's better to be conservative than face a violation.

Penalties & Enforcement

Fishing without license: $50–150

Undersized fish: $50–500 per fish

Bag limit violation: $250–1,000 per excess fish

Protected species violation: $500–5,000 + possible jail time

Spearfishing violation: $100–1,000

FWC officers patrol actively. It's not worth the risk or expense. Follow regulations 100%.

Captain Dane's Approach

I know the regulations inside out. My charter boats display current regulations, and I monitor bag limits for every guest. We measure every fish precisely. We release undersized fish immediately. We never keep protected species. And we teach our guests why these rules matter.

Sustainable fishing protects the reefs and fish populations for future generations. I've been fishing these waters for 20+ years, and I want them to thrive for the next 20 years.

Stay Updated: Check FWC Before Your Trip

Regulations change. Visit myflorida.com/fwc to download the current year's Fishing Rules Handbook. It's free and covers everything.

Subscribe to FWC alerts or check their website the week before your charter. New closures or regulations are announced regularly.

Questions? Ask Captain Dane

Call or email before your charter with any regulation questions. I'm happy to clarify what you can harvest, protected species, seasonal closures, or size limits. No question is dumb—better to ask than to break the law.