Hogfish: Florida size, bag and season

As of / last verified: October 14, 2026 against official sources · Source: FWC: Hogfish

Hogfish limit in Florida: Gulf state waters are 14 inches fork length and 5 per harvester, open year-round. Atlantic waters, including the Keys south of Cape Sable, are 16 inches fork length and 1 per harvester, open May 1 through October 31. As of October 14, 2026, that Atlantic season closes on October 31.

Quick answer

Rules in flux: Atlantic season closes Oct 31.
Gulf state: 14" fork length, 5 per harvester, open year-round
Atlantic, including the Keys south of Cape Sable: 16" fork length, 1 per harvester, open May 1–Oct. 31
Gulf federal, north of Cape Sable: 14" minimum, 5 per person, open year-round
Atlantic federal: 16" minimum, 1 per person, open May 1–Oct. 31

Hogfish: side view for identification — Hogfish. Credit: Andrew David, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC Panama City; Lance Horn, UNCW/NURC - Phantom II ROV operator. Public domain

Measure in a straight line with the fish on its side; don't follow its curve. Hogfish are measured in fork length. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Hogfish limits

Waters	Size	Bag	Season
Gulf state waters	14" fork length	5 per harvester	Open year-round
Atlantic state waters, including state and federal waters south of Cape Sable and the Florida Keys	16" fork length	1 per harvester	Open May 1–Oct. 31
Gulf federal waters north of Cape Sable	14" minimum	5 per person	Open year-round
Atlantic federal waters	16" minimum	1 per person	Open May 1–Oct. 31

Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park. Legal gear is spears, gigs, hook and line, seine and cast net. Reef fish gear rules apply. In the Atlantic reef-fish fishery, FWC requires dehooking tools and, as of January 1, 2021, non-stainless steel hooks in all state waters, plus non-offset circle hooks north of 28° N. Private-boat anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation.

Rules in flux. Atlantic season closes Oct 31.

How do you identify Hogfish?

The first three dorsal spines are greatly elongated, and there is a black blotch near the end of the dorsal fin.
The body is deep and strongly compressed. Adults have a long snout. The tail has elongated upper and lower lobes.
Young fish are mottled with many colors that fade with age. Also called hog snapper.
FWC lists size up to 36 inches. The state record is 19 lb 8 oz, caught in Daytona Beach.

Where and when to catch Hogfish in Florida?

Young hogfish settle in shallow seagrass after a larval stage of about 26 days, then move to deeper rocky bottoms, ledges and offshore reefs. They start as females and can become males. Breeding can last from November to June, with peaks in March and April. The long snout is used to root for mollusks and crustaceans, so they are not often caught on hook and line. FWC says they are primarily harvested by spearfishing. The oldest female on record in the profile was 12 years and 64 cm (about 25 inches), and FWC says they may live as long as 23 years.

Regions

Related rules on this site

State Reef Fish Angler designation

Frequently asked questions

What is the Gulf hogfish limit?

In Gulf state waters, 14 inches fork length and 5 per harvester, open year-round. Gulf federal waters north of Cape Sable are the same: 14 inches, 5 per person, open year-round.

What is the Atlantic hogfish limit?

16 inches fork length and 1 per harvester, open May 1 through October 31. That Atlantic rule includes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable, including the Florida Keys.

Is hogfish open in the Keys in October?

The Keys are in the Atlantic rule on this page. The season is May 1 through October 31, so October 14, 2026 is still inside the published open season. It closes October 31.

What gear is legal?

Spears, gigs, hook and line, seine and cast net. Reef fish gear rules apply, including Atlantic dehooking tools and the hook rules north of 28° N.

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.