Snook Regulations

Current State/Federal Snook Regulations - Florida

• Slot Limit (Atlantic) : 28" to 32"
  
• Slot Limit (Gulf of Mexico, Monroe County, Everglades Nat Park.) : 28" to 33"
• Bag limit: 1 per person – Statewide
• Closed Season (2010) : Jan 16 - Aug 31
• Snook Stamp : Licensed anglers must possess permit (cost $2.00 permit) in order to keep a snook

Shoreline Anglers Need to buy a License

Florida's resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore will need to buy a $7.50 (plus administrative and handling fees) shoreline fishing license by Aug. 1, unless they have a regular resident saltwater fishing license.The new license applies only to Florida resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore. Resident anglers may prefer to purchase the regular recreational saltwater license that covers them, no matter where they fish for saltwater species in Florida.

Florida has always required nonresidents to have a license when fishing from shore, and they will still need to purchase a regular nonresident saltwater fishing license.

The new shoreline saltwater fishing license for residents went on sale July 15. It provides all of the same exemptions as a regular license, including senior citizens, children, disabled people who meet certain qualifications, active-duty military personnel while home on leave, and anglers who fish from a licensed pier.

In addition, the shoreline license requirement includes two new exemptions:

• anglers drawing food stamps, temporary cash assistance or Medicaid; and
• anglers fishing in their home counties who use cane poles or other gear that does not depend on mechanical retrieval.
  

At the request of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Legislature passed the new license requirement to head off a federal license requirement that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2010, and will have a $15-$25 fee beginning in 2011. Florida's new shoreline license exempts this state's anglers from the federal license requirement.

History of Snook Regs in Florida

• 1947 - Snook haul seines made illegal in Lee County. [p]1951 - Snook haul seines made illegal in Collier County. [p]1953 - Minimum size set at 18 inches fork length.
• 1947 - Snook haul seines made illegal in Lee County.
• 1951 - Snook haul seines made illegal in Collier County.
• 1953 - Minimum size set at 18 inches fork length.
• 1957 - Snook made illegal to buy or sell.Capture by hook and line only. Bag limit set at four snook per day, eight snook possession limit.
• 1981 - Bag limit reduced to two snook per day, two snook possession limit. No snook less than 26 inches fork length may be taken in June or July during 1982-1986.
• 1982 - June & July of 1982 closed to snook possession.
• 1983 - January and February 1983-1986, closed to snook possession. June and July 1983-1986 closed to snook possession.
• 1985 - January, February, June and July closed permanently to snook possession. August 1985-1986 closed to snook possession. Minimum size increased to 24 inches total length. Only one snook may be greater than 34 inches total length.
• 1987 - All species in the genus Centropomus covered by the regulations. August is closed permanently to snook possession. - All snook to be landed whole. Use of treble hooks prohibited with natural baits.
• 1994 - Closed winter season changed to December 15th through January 31st.
• 1999 - Slot limit is set at 26 inches minimum / 34 inches maximum total length.
• 2002 - Possession limit reduced to one snook and May closed to snook possession on West Coast of Florida only. East Coast of Florida not changed.
• 2006 - Minimum size increased to 27 inches total length. 34 inches maxiumum total length not changed. Total length defined as the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side
• 2007 - Slot and bag limit, and open seasons, reduced per above
• 2010 - Next stock assessment!