Home › Look-alike species

Spotted seatrout vs. weakfish: identification and limits

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

Quick answer

Fastest ID
Spots on dorsal fin and tail = spotted seatrout; no spots on those fins = weakfish
Seatrout limit
15–19" slot; 2–5/day by region
Weakfish limit
Weakfish Mgmt Zone (Nassau Co.): 12" min, 1/day. Elsewhere: no min, 100 lb/person
Permits
Saltwater license unless exempt
Spotted seatrout: side view for identification
Spotted seatrout: spots on dorsal fin and tail. Illustration: Duane Raver/USFWS. Public domain
Weakfish: side view for identification
Weakfish: wavy speckles, clear fins. Illustration: NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center. 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. Both use total length. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Side-by-side

FeatureSpotted seatroutWeakfish
SpotsDistinct round black spots on backSmall irregular dark spots in wavy lines on upper sides
Spots on dorsal fin & tail?YesNo
Fin colorn/aPelvic and anal fins yellowish
Tonguen/aTip black
TeethPair of large canines at tip of upper jawPair of large canines at tip of upper jaw
Range in FLEvery major estuaryAtlantic coast; most genetically pure weakfish in Nassau County
Size limit15–19" TL slot (statewide)12" TL min in Weakfish Mgmt Zone; none elsewhere
Bag3 in most regions; Big Bend 5; Indian River Lagoon 21 in Weakfish Mgmt Zone; 100 lb elsewhere
GearHook and line; cast netHook and line; cast net

FWC's weakfish rules also apply to sand seatrout and weakfish/sand seatrout hybrids.

Don't get ticketed: checklist

Permit steps

  1. Have a saltwater license (unless exempt).
  2. Know your seatrout region before keeping fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you tell spotted seatrout from weakfish?

Check the fins. Spotted seatrout have bold round black spots that run onto the dorsal fins and tail. Weakfish have small irregular dark spots in wavy lines on the upper sides that do not carry onto those fins. Weakfish also have yellowish pelvic and anal fins and a black-tipped tongue.

What are the weakfish limits in Florida?

Inside the Weakfish Management Zone in Nassau County: 12 inches total length minimum, 1 per person. In other state waters there is no minimum size and the bag is 100 pounds per person. These rules also cover sand seatrout and weakfish/sand seatrout hybrids.

Where is the Weakfish Management Zone?

State waters from the Florida–Georgia line to the southern tip of Amelia Island, plus the inland waters of Nassau County and the St. Marys River and tributaries east of Highway 17, north of SR 200A and north of the Shave Bridge on the Amelia River.

What are the spotted seatrout limits?

A 15–19 inch slot statewide, with bag limits of 2 to 5 depending on the region. See our 2026 seatrout regions page.

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.