The Florida Spiny Lobster season in South Florida has two parts: a two-day mini-season followed by the regular season. The 2025 mini-season, a two-day recreational sport season, ran from July 30th to 31st, 2025. The regular commercial and recreational season begins on August 6th and continues through March 31, 2026.
Mini-Season Details:
Dates: The two-day mini-season is always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July, according to the City of Marathon Florida.
Recreational Harvest: During mini-season, recreational harvesters can collect lobsters.
Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is 6 lobsters per person in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, and 12 per person for the rest of Florida.
License and Permit: A recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit are required.
Size Limit: The lobster’s carapace (the hard upper shell) must be larger than 3 inches when measured in the water.
Harvesting Prohibitions: Harvesting is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Regular Season Details:
Dates: The regular season runs from August 6th to March 31st.
Commercial and Recreational: Both commercial and recreational fishermen can harvest lobsters during this period.
Traps: Commercial fishermen can use traps, but they must be removed from the water by April 10th each year.
Regulations: There are specific regulations for trap placement, daylight hours only, and other restrictions.
Harvesting Prohibitions: Harvesting is prohibited in designated areas of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Important Reminders: Always check for the most up-to-date regulations and any specific rules for your area on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
Be mindful of the environment and release any undersized or egg-bearing females (berried) unharmed.
Practice safe boating and diving habits.
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Season Dates
Mini‑Season (“Sport Season”): 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 31, 2025 ([The Florida Keys & Key West][1])
Regular Season: August 6, 2025, through March 31, 2026 ([The Florida Keys & Key West][1])
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Bag & Possession Limits
Monroe County & Biscayne National Park (including the Keys):
6 lobsters per person per day ([FWC][2])
Rest of South Florida (e.g., Miami‑Dade outside Keys):
12 lobsters per person per day during mini-season; same during regular season outside Keys ([The Florida Keys & Key West][1], [NBC 6 South Florida][3])
Off‑water possession:
On mini‑season day 1: equal to daily bag limit; on day 2: up to double (in Monroe County) if transported by car after the second day ([FWC][2], [Marathon, Florida][4])
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Size & Gear Rules
Minimum size: Carapace must exceed 3 inches in length, measured in the water; a measuring device is required for each diver ([FWC][2])
Hold lobsters whole: Removing tail from carapace while on the water is prohibited. Tails separated after landing must be ≥ 5.5 inches if harvested in state waters ([keyssao.org][5])
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Prohibitions & Local Ordinances
Harvesting of egg-bearing (berried) lobsters is strictly forbidden at all times ([FWC][2])
Night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during mini-season (defined as from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise) ([keyssao.org][5])
Harvest prohibited in protected zones:
Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park
No-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Lobster Sanctuary
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (during sport season in Keys) ([The Florida Keys & Key West][1], [FWC][2])
Local nearshore rules in unincorporated Monroe County and municipalities (e.g. Key West, Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Layton):
No snorkeling or diving within 300 ft of residential/commercial shorelines, canals, or marinas during mini‑season and early regular season (days vary by municipality: e.g. 3 days before, first 5–10 days of regular season) ([The Florida Keys & Key West][1])
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Dive Flag & Safety Requirements
A divers-down flag is required. Divers must remain within:
300 feet of the flag in open water,
100 feet in inlet or navigation channels.
Boat operators must maintain idle speed within those distances ([FWC][6])
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Licensing & Permissions
A valid Florida recreational saltwater fishing license plus a lobster permit/endorsement is required to legally take lobster ([keyssao.org][5])
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Enforcement & Penalties
Violating lobstering regulations may result in serious penalties, including fines (e.g. up to \$500 per violation), jail time, or both. Infractions include collecting undersized lobsters, taking berried females, exceeding bag limits, or diving illegally ([keyssao.org][5]).
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Summary Table
| Rule Category | Details |
| ———————— | ——————————
| Mini‑Season Dates | July 30–31, 2025 |
| Regular Season Dates | August 6, 2025 – March 31, 2026 |
| Daily Bag Limit | 6 per diver (Keys/Monroe & Biscayne NP); 12 outside those areas |
| Size Limit | Carapace > 3 inches (measured in water) |
| Night Diving | Prohibited in Keys during mini‑season |
| Harvest Prohibited | Egg-bearing lobsters, coral park areas, national park sanctuaries |
| Local Nearshore Ban | No diving/snorkeling within 300 ft of residential/commercial shoreline |
| Licenses Required | Saltwater fishing license + Lobster permit |
| Violations | Fines and possible jail time |
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South Florida also includes Miami‑Dade and Broward Counties where lake local limits (12 lobsters/day outside Keys vs. 6 in Monroe) and protected area rules vary. Always check the FWC’s official resources or Fish Rules app for the most up-to-date regulations in your area. Let me know if you’d like detailed rules for Miami‑Dade or a specific municipality!
[1]: https://fla-keys.com/news/
[2]: https://myfwc.com/fishing/
[3]: https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/
[4]: https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/
[5]: https://www.keyssao.org/185/
[6]: https://myfwc.com/news/all-
