Florida's snook harvest season closes May 1 in many regions. (Shutterstock image)
May 01, 2025
By Florida Sportsman
The recreational harvest of snook in the Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor and Southwest management regions closes May 1, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said. The season will reopen Sept.1 in in the Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay; Oct. 1 in the Charlotte Harbor and Southwest areas. This includes federal and state waters. Here’s a look:
Panhandle Open season: March 1-April 30 and Sept. 1-Nov. 30 Closed season: Dec. 1-end of February and May 1-Aug. 31 Bag limit: One fish per person per day Slot limit: 28–33 inches total length Boundaries: The western boundary is at the Florida-Alabama border and the region extends to the eastern coastal boundary at 84°20.800ꞌ west longitude in Franklin County near Alligator Point. The management region extends inland, as shown on the map, and into adjacent federal waters. Does not include all waters of the Ochlockonee Bay, the Ochlockonee River and its tributaries. Big Bend Open season: March 1-April 30 and Sept. 1-Nov. 30 Closed season: Dec. 1-end of February and May 1-Aug. 31 Bag limit: One fish per person per day Slot limit: 28–33 inches total length Boundaries: The western coastal boundary is at 84°20.800ꞌ west longitude in Franklin County near Alligator Point. The region extends east and south to Fred Howard Park, near the border of Pasco and Pinellas counties. Includes all waters of the Ochlockonee, Withlacoochee, and Anclote rivers and their tributaries. The management region extends inland, as shown on the map, and into adjacent federal waters. Tampa Bay Open season: March 1-April 30 and Sept. 1-Nov. 30 Closed season: Dec. 1-end of February and May 1-Aug. 31 Bag limit: One fish per person per day Slot limit: 28–33 inches total length Boundaries: The northern coastal boundary is at Fred Howard Park, near the border of Pasco and Pinellas counties and the region extends south to State Road 64 in Manatee County. The management region extends inland, as shown on the map, and into adjacent federal waters. Includes all waters of the Alafia, Braden, Manatee and Hillsborough rivers and their tributaries. Does not include the waters of Palma Sola Bay and all waters of the Anclote River and its tributaries. Sarasota Bay Open season: March 1-April 30 and Sept. 1-Nov. 30 Closed season: Dec. 1-end of February and May 1-Aug. 31 Bag limit: One fish per person per day Slot limit: 28–33 inches total length Boundaries: The northern coastal boundary is at State Road 64 in Manatee County and the region extends south to 27°04.727’ north latitude, near the Venice Municipal Airport. Includes all waters of Palma Sola Bay, Phillippi Creek, Cow Pen Slough Canal and Curry Creek. Does not include the waters of the Braden and Manatee rivers. The management region extends inland, as shown on the map, and into adjacent federal waters. Charlotte Harbor Open season: March 1-April 30 and Oct. 1-Nov. 30 Closed season: Dec. 1-end of February and May 1-Sept. 30 Bag limit: One fish per person per day Slot limit: 28–33 inches total length Boundaries: The northern coastal boundary is at 27°04.727’ north latitude, near the Venice Municipal Airport, and the region extends south to 26°15.227’ north latitude, near Vanderbilt Beach Road in Collier County. The management region extends inland, as shown on the map, and into adjacent federal waters. Includes all waters of the Caloosahatchee, Myakka and Peace rivers and their tributaries. Does not include Lake Okeechobee. Southwest Open season: March 1-April 30 and Oct. 1-Nov. 30 Closed season: Dec. 1-end of February and May 1-Sept. 30 Bag limit: One fish per person per day Slot limit: 28–33 inches total length Boundaries: The northern boundary is at 26°15.227’ north latitude, near Vanderbilt Beach Road in Collier County, and the region extends through the Florida Keys to the Monroe/Miami-Dade county line. The management region extends inland, as shown on the map, and into adjacent federal waters. Includes all waters of Everglades National Park. For more information on recreational snook regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Snook . This webpage includes the snook annual reviews, which provide summaries of key findings from the annual evaluation of management metrics for each region.
Florida's snook fishing regions. Gulf Amberjack Harvest Closed Recreational harvest of Gulf greater amberjack remains closed May 1-31, the FWC said. Last year, the FWC issued an executive order that modified the greater amberjack 2024-25 open recreational season in Gulf state waters. The harvest closure is consistent with the closures in Gulf federal waters and is meant to reduce harvest and improve the stock. The season will remain closed from June 1 to July 31, as previously scheduled under the current season closure. For current recreational amberjack regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations,” “Reef Fish” and “Amberjack.”
