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Permit: Florida size, bag and season

As of / last verified: against official sources · Source: FWC: Permit

Permit limit in Florida: outside the Special Permit Zone, slot 11 to 22 inches fork length, one over 22 inches allowed, bag 2, no more than 2 over 22 inches per vessel, open year-round. Inside the zone: 22 inch minimum, bag 1, vessel limit 2, closed April 1–July 31.

Quick answer

Outside the SPZ
11–22" fork-length slot; 1 fish over 22" allowed in the bag; 2 per harvester; no more than 2 over 22" per vessel; open year-round
Special Permit Zone
22" fork length minimum; 1 per harvester; no more than 2 per vessel; closed April 1–July 31
SPZ boundary
South of 25°40' N at Cape Florida, Biscayne Bay south of the Rickenbacker Causeway, and south of 25°09' N off Cape Sable
Gear
State waters: hook and line only. Federal waters: hook and line and spearing
Permit: side view for identification
Permit. Credit: NOAA Fisheries (SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory, Brandi Noble collection). 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. Permit are measured in fork length. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Permit limits

WatersSizeBagSeason
Special Permit Zone, state and adjacent federal waters22" fork length minimum1 per harvester. No more than 2 per vesselClosed April 1–July 31
All other state and federal waters outside the SPZNot less than 11" or more than 22" fork length; may possess 1 over 22" in the per-person bag2 per harvester. No more than 2 over 22" per vesselOpen year-round

The Special Permit Zone is state and adjacent federal waters south of a line due east from Cape Florida at 25°40' North, waters of Biscayne Bay south of the Rickenbacker Causeway, and south of a line just south of Cape Sable running due west at 25°09' North. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park. Multiple hooks with natural bait, and snatching, are prohibited.

How do you identify Permit?

Look-alikes

Where and when to catch Permit in Florida?

Permit are found offshore near structure and inshore over grass flats, sand and channels. Spawning is mainly in early summer and again in fall. A plate at the back of the mouth crushes clams and crabs; they also eat small fish. FWC says anglers cast live crabs to schools, and that permit also take shrimp, clams and occasionally small fish. The Keys and south Florida fall in the Special Permit Zone, so the 22-inch minimum and the April 1 through July 31 closure apply there.

Regions

Related rules on this site

Frequently asked questions

What is the permit limit outside the Special Permit Zone?

A slot of not less than 11 inches or more than 22 inches fork length. You may keep 1 fish over 22 inches in the per-person bag. The bag is 2 per harvester, with no more than 2 fish over 22 inches per vessel. Open year-round.

What is the permit limit in the Special Permit Zone?

22 inches fork length minimum, 1 per harvester, and no more than 2 per vessel. Closed April 1 through July 31.

Where is the Special Permit Zone?

State and adjacent federal waters south of 25°40' North at Cape Florida, Biscayne Bay south of the Rickenbacker Causeway, and south of 25°09' North off Cape Sable.

What gear is legal for permit?

Hook and line only in state waters. Hook and line and spearing in federal waters. Multiple hooks with live or dead natural bait, and snatching, are prohibited.

Official sources

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.