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Snook season 2026: Gulf vs. Atlantic, and the Venice line

As of / last verified: against official sources · Source: FWC: Snook regulations (regions, seasons, slots)

Snook season in Florida: Atlantic regions are open February 1–May 31 and September 1–December 14. Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay open March 1–April 30 and September 1–November 30; Charlotte Harbor and Southwest open October 1 in fall. The slot is 28–33 inches Gulf, 28–32 Atlantic, one per day.

Quick answer

Status (Oct 14, 2026)
Open in all 9 regions
Size
Gulf 28–33"; Atlantic 28–32" (total length)
Bag limit
1 per person per day
Permits
Saltwater license + $10 snook permit (required even for catch-and-release)
Fall closing
Gulf: Dec 1. Atlantic: Dec 15

Florida manages snook in nine regions: six on the Gulf side and three on the Atlantic side. Each coast has its own slot and season dates. On the Gulf, there is a further split at Venice.

Common snook: side view for identification
Common snook. Photo: Bob Care, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary/NOAA. Public domain
Total length vs fork lengthTotal length runs from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the squeezed tail. Fork length runs from the tip of the snout to the center of the tail fork.How FWC measures fishTOTAL LENGTH: mouth closed → tip of squeezed tailFORK LENGTH: snout → center of tail forkTL species include: red drum, snook, spotted seatrout, weakfish, snappers, groupers, flounder, sheepsheadFL species include: pompano, permit, Spanish & king mackerel, cobia, amberjacks, hogfish, dolphin
Measure in a straight line with the fish on its side; don't follow its curve. Snook use total length: 28–33 in Gulf, 28–32 in Atlantic. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Snook seasons by region

RegionCoastOpen seasonsSlotBag
PanhandleGulfMar 1–Apr 30; Sep 1–Nov 3028–33"1
Big BendGulfMar 1–Apr 30; Sep 1–Nov 3028–33"1
Tampa BayGulfMar 1–Apr 30; Sep 1–Nov 3028–33"1
Sarasota BayGulfMar 1–Apr 30; Sep 1–Nov 3028–33"1
Charlotte HarborGulfMar 1–Apr 30; Oct 1–Nov 3028–33"1
SouthwestGulfMar 1–Apr 30; Oct 1–Nov 3028–33"1
SoutheastAtlanticFeb 1–May 31; Sep 1–Dec 1428–32"1
Indian River LagoonAtlanticFeb 1–May 31; Sep 1–Dec 1428–32"1
NortheastAtlanticFeb 1–May 31; Sep 1–Dec 1428–32"1

Open dates are derived from FWC's closed-season dates for each region.

The Venice line explained

The boundary between the Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor regions is 27°04.727′ North latitude, near the Venice Municipal Airport. The same line separates those two regions for spotted seatrout. In fall, snook harvest reopens September 1 north of the line and October 1 south of it. Both sides close again on December 1. The Charlotte Harbor Region runs south to 26°15.227′N, near Vanderbilt Beach Road in Collier County. It includes the Caloosahatchee, Myakka and Peace rivers.

Don't get ticketed: checklist

Permit steps

  1. Buy a saltwater license (unless exempt) at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or a license agent.
  2. Add the snook permit: $10 a year, or $50 for 5 years for residents.
  3. Check your region's season. Permit sales are final.

Frequently asked questions

When is snook season on Florida's Gulf coast?

Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay are open March 1–April 30 and September 1–November 30. Charlotte Harbor and Southwest are open March 1–April 30 and October 1–November 30.

When is snook season on Florida's Atlantic coast?

Northeast, Indian River Lagoon and Southeast are open February 1–May 31 and September 1–December 14.

What is the snook slot limit?

28–33 inches total length in the six Gulf regions and 28–32 inches in the three Atlantic regions. The bag limit is one per person per day everywhere.

What is the Venice line for snook?

It is 27°04.727′ North latitude, near the Venice Municipal Airport. North of it (Sarasota Bay Region) the fall season opens September 1; south of it (Charlotte Harbor Region) it opens October 1.

Do I need a permit to fish for snook?

Yes, a $10 snook permit plus a saltwater fishing license, including for catch-and-release.

Official sources

Last verified: October 14, 2026.

Related guides

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.