Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi): Florida size and bag

As of / last verified: October 14, 2026 against official sources · Source: FWC: Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi)

Dolphinfish limit in Florida: Gulf waters have no minimum size and a bag of 10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less. Atlantic waters are 20 inches fork length and 5 per person, and private boats are also capped at 30 per vessel. For-hire limits follow the customers aboard. Captain and crew may not keep a bag.

Quick answer

Gulf state: No minimum size. 10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less
Atlantic state size: 20" fork length
Atlantic private bag: 5 per person or 30 per vessel, whichever is less
Atlantic for-hire bag: 5 per person. Vessel limit is customers fishing times the bag limit
Captain and crew: Prohibited from retaining a bag limit

Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi): side view for identification — Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi). Credit: Brandi Noble, NOAA. Public domain

Measure in a straight line with the fish on its side; don't follow its curve. Atlantic dolphinfish are measured in fork length. Gulf state waters list no minimum size. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) limits

Waters	Size	Bag	Season
Gulf state waters	None	10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less	Not listed
Atlantic state waters, private recreational	20" fork length	5 per person, or 30 per vessel, whichever is less	Not listed
Atlantic state waters, for-hire recreational	20" fork length	5 per person. Vessel limit is the number of customers fishing multiplied by the bag limit	Not listed

Legal gear is hook and line and spearing. Captain and crew are prohibited from retaining a bag limit. FWC's dolphinfish page does not list a season.

How do you identify Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi)?

Also called mahi-mahi or dorado. Bright greenish-blue back with yellow sides, and the fish can flash purple, chartreuse and other colors.
One dark dorsal fin runs from above the eye almost to the tail. The body tapers sharply from head to tail, with irregular blue or golden blotches.
Adult males have a nearly vertical forehead. Females have a more sloping forehead.
Pompano dolphinfish have a square tooth patch on the tongue; dolphinfish have an oval one. FWC lists size up to 63 inches (88 pounds), common to 30 pounds. The state record is 81 lb, caught near Lantana.

Where and when to catch Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) in Florida?

Dolphinfish are offshore fish in warm water. Young live in floating sargassum. FWC calls them one of the fastest-growing fish and says they are thought to live no more than 5 years. They spawn in warm oceanic currents through much of the year and eat flying fish, squid and other small fish. Anglers troll weed lines. The FWC page does not list a closed season.

Regions

Frequently asked questions

What is the Gulf mahi-mahi limit?

In Gulf state waters there is no minimum size. The bag is 10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less.

What is the Atlantic mahi-mahi limit?

20 inches fork length. Private anglers: 5 per person or 30 per vessel, whichever is less. For-hire: 5 per person, and the vessel limit is the number of customers fishing times the bag limit.

Can the captain and crew keep dolphinfish?

No. FWC says captain and crew are prohibited from retaining a bag limit.

Does FWC list a dolphinfish season?

The recreational dolphinfish page does not list a season. It lists Gulf and Atlantic size and bag limits and the legal gear, which is hook and line and spearing.

Official sources

FWC: Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi)

Last verified: October 14, 2026.

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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.