Tampa Bay: fishing limits, piers and bridges
Quick answer
- Area
- Fred Howard Park (Pinellas) south to SR 64 in Manatee County, including Hillsborough County.
- Key limits
- See the table below (verified against FWC)
- Piers listed
- 2
- Permits
- Saltwater license unless exempt or covered by a pier; snook permit for snook
Tampa Bay limits by species
| Species | FWC region/zone | Season | Size | Bag / person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted seatrout | Tampa Bay Region | Year-round | 15–19" (1 over-slot per vessel) | 3 |
| Snook | Tampa Bay Region | Mar 1–Apr 30; Sep 1–Nov 30 | 28–33" | 1 (+ snook permit) |
| Redfish | Tampa Bay Region | Year-round | 18–27" | 1 (2 per vessel) |
| Flounder | Statewide | Closed Oct 15–Nov 30 | 14" min | 5 |
Piers & bridges in Tampa Bay
Related rules
Don't get ticketed: checklist
- Confirm exactly which FWC region you are in. Boundaries follow specific landmarks and coordinates.
- Bring your license unless the pier says it is covered or you are exempt.
- Snook: carry the snook permit, even for catch-and-release.
- Shore shark fishing (including piers and bridges) needs the free Shore-based Shark Fishing permit.
Permit steps
- Buy a saltwater license (unless exempt) at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
- Add the snook permit if targeting snook.
- Check the pier page for hours, fees and closures.
Frequently asked questions
What fishing regions apply in Tampa Bay?
Fred Howard Park (Pinellas) south to SR 64 in Manatee County, including Hillsborough County.
Is flounder season open in Tampa Bay?
Flounder is closed statewide every year from October 15 through November 30, and reopens December 1. Minimum size is 14 inches and the bag limit is 5.
Do piers in Tampa Bay cover my fishing license?
It depends on the pier. Some include a license in the entry fee and others do not. Each pier page below says what the official operator states.
Official sources
- FWC: Spotted Seatrout
- FWC: Snook
- FWC: Red Drum
- FWC: Flounder
- FWC: Permit & pompano
- FWC: Weakfish
- FWC: Snappers
- FWC: Stone crab
Related guides
- Spotted seatrout regions 2026
- Snook season: Gulf vs. Atlantic
- Snook permit for catch-and-release
- Redfish limits by region
- Flounder season & size
- Sharks you can keep from shore
- Is chumming legal?
- Stone crab rules
- Blue crab rules
- Seniors 65+ & State Reef Fish Angler
- Permit vs. pompano
- Seatrout vs. weakfish
- Mutton vs. lane vs. mangrove
- Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
- Venice Fishing Pier
- Fort De Soto Park Gulf & Bay Piers
- Naples Pier
- All piers & bridges
Disclaimer: This page is a plain-English summary for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules, seasons and boundaries can change at short notice, including by emergency order. Always check the current regulations on MyFWC.com before you fish.