Florida stone crab rules: season, claw size and trap registration
Stone crab rules in Florida: the recreational season in state waters runs October 15 through May 1. Only claws may be taken, with a 2 7/8 inch minimum, never from egg-bearing crabs. You may use up to 5 traps, each registered free to you if you are 16 or older, even if license-exempt.
Quick answer
- Status
- Opens Oct 15, 2026; runs through May 1 (closed May 2)
- Size
- Claw at least 2 7/8"; claws only
- Bag limit
- 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less
- Permits
- Free recreational stone crab trap registration (16+, including license-exempt); saltwater license unless exempt
- Traps
- Max 5 per person, registered to you
Stone crab rules at a glance
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Season (state waters) | Oct 15 – May 1 |
| Pre-season trap placement | Up to 10 days before opening; no tending until opening day |
| Claw minimum | 2 7/8 inches |
| Bag | 1 gal claws/person or 2 gal/vessel (lesser) |
| Egg-bearing crabs | No harvest |
| Legal gear | Stone crab trap (max 5), dip or landing net |
| Illegal gear | Spears, grains, grabs, hooks or anything that punctures or crushes the crab |
| Trap max size | 24×24×24 in (8 cu ft) |
| Throat | 5½ × 3½ in (5½ × 3⅛ in in Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade); round throats max 5 in diameter and banned in those three counties |
| Degradable panel | 5½ × 3½ in, cypress or untreated pine slat ≤ ¾ in thick |
| Escape rings | Wire traps: 3 rings, 2⅜ in; plastic/wood traps: one 2 3/16 in ring |
| Buoy | ≥ 6 in with an "R" ≥ 2 in tall (not needed for dock traps) |
Don't get ticketed: checklist
- Register your traps (free) and mark each with your "S" number, full name and address.
- Use only your own 5 registered traps.
- Pull traps by hand and only in daylight. A vessel rigged with a trap puller is treated as commercial.
- Never place traps in marked navigation channels.
- Measure claws: 2 7/8" minimum. Release egg-bearing crabs.
- Stay within 1 gallon per person / 2 per vessel.
Permit steps
- Log in to GoOutdoorsFlorida.com (or create an account).
- Add the "Recreational Stone Crab Trap Registration" (no cost) to your fishing license account.
- Note your unique registration number (starts with S).
- Permanently and legibly mark it, with your full name and address, on every trap.
- Under 16? No registration needed, but traps still need your name and address.
Frequently asked questions
When does Florida stone crab season open?
October 15. The recreational season in state waters runs October 15 through May 1 and closes May 2.
Do I need to register my stone crab traps?
Yes, if you are 16 or older, even if you are normally exempt from a fishing license. The registration is free and online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Your registration number starts with "S" and must be on every trap with your full name and address.
How many stone crab traps can I use?
Up to 5 traps per person, and only traps registered to you.
What is the stone crab claw size limit?
2 7/8 inches. Only claws may be harvested, and you may not take claws from egg-bearing crabs.
How many stone crab claws can I keep?
1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less.
Can I put my traps out before October 15?
Yes, up to 10 days before the season opens, but you cannot tend them until the season starts.
Can I take both claws?
Yes, if both are legal size. FWC notes that leaving one claw helps the crab feed and regrow the other.
Official sources
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