Spotted seatrout: Florida size, bag and season

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

Spotted seatrout limit in Florida: the slot is 15 to 19 inches total length. The bag is 3 per person in most regions, 5 in the Big Bend and 2 in the Indian River Lagoon. The Lagoon closes November 1 through December 31. The Panhandle closes in February. Northeast and Lagoon anglers may not keep a fish over 19 inches.

Quick answer

Rules in flux: Indian River Lagoon region closes Nov 1 (per rules text).
Slot: Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length
Bag: 3 per day in most regions; Big Bend 5; Indian River Lagoon 2
Over 19": One per vessel, or per person from shore, except Northeast and Indian River Lagoon, where none are allowed
Indian River Lagoon: Closed November 1 – December 31
Panhandle: Closed in February; open March 1 – Jan. 31

Spotted seatrout: side view for identification — Spotted seatrout. Illustration: Duane Raver/USFWS. Public domain

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

Spotted seatrout limits

Waters	Size	Bag	Season
Panhandle	Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length	Three fish per person per day. One fish over 19" per vessel, or per person from shore, included in the bag	Closed in February. Open March 1 – Jan. 31
Big Bend	Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length	Five fish per person per day. One fish over 19" per vessel, or per person from shore, included in the bag	Open year-round
Tampa Bay	Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length	Three fish per person per day. One fish over 19" per vessel, or per person from shore, included in the bag	Open year-round
Sarasota Bay	Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length	Three fish per person per day. One fish over 19" per vessel, or per person from shore, included in the bag	Open year-round
Charlotte Harbor	Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length	Three fish per person per day. One fish over 19" per vessel, or per person from shore, included in the bag	Open year-round
Southwest	Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length	Three fish per person per day. One fish over 19" per vessel, or per person from shore, included in the bag	Open year-round
Southeast	Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length	Three fish per person per day. One fish over 19" per vessel, or per person from shore, included in the bag	Open year-round
Indian River Lagoon	Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length. May not possess a fish larger than 19" total length	Two fish per person per day	Closed November 1 – December 31. Open Jan. 1 – Oct. 31
Northeast	Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length. May not possess a fish larger than 19" total length	Three fish per person per day	Open year-round

Regulations apply in all inland, state and adjacent federal waters. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park. Fish must remain whole until landed. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Rules in flux. Indian River Lagoon region closes Nov 1 (per rules text).

How do you identify Spotted seatrout?

Also called speckled trout. Dark gray or green back fading to a silvery or white belly.
Several black spots on the back extend onto the dorsal fins and the tail.
A pair of large canine teeth at the tip of the upper jaw. No barbels on the lower jaw.
FWC lists size up to 39 inches (17 pounds), common to 14 inches. The state record is 17 lb 7 oz, caught near Fort Pierce.

Look-alikes

Spotted seatrout vs. weakfish. Seatrout spots run onto the dorsal fin and tail. Weakfish have wavy lines that do not.

Where and when to catch Spotted seatrout in Florida?

Spotted seatrout use coastal waters over sand bottoms or seagrass beds, and FWC says they can be targeted in every major estuary. They spawn inshore from March through November and move into deeper, still water in colder months. They eat baitfish, mullet, shrimp and crabs. FWC describes free-lining live shrimp or small pinfish or pigfish near the bottom, or drifting those baits over grass with a float. Soft-bodied jigs, topwater poppers and spoons are also listed. Trout are delicate, so release unwanted fish promptly.

Regions

Related rules on this site

Frequently asked questions

What is the spotted seatrout size limit?

Not less than 15 inches or more than 19 inches total length in every region.

Can you keep a seatrout over 19 inches?

In most regions, one fish over 19 inches per vessel, or one per person if you are fishing from shore, included in the bag. In the Northeast and Indian River Lagoon regions you may not possess a fish larger than 19 inches total length.

What is the seatrout bag limit?

Five fish per person per day in the Big Bend, two in the Indian River Lagoon, and three in the other regions.

When is spotted seatrout closed?

The Panhandle is closed in February and open March 1 through January 31. The Indian River Lagoon is closed November 1 through December 31 and open January 1 through October 31. Other regions are open year-round.

How do you tell a spotted seatrout from a weakfish?

Seatrout have black spots that extend onto the dorsal fins and tail. FWC says weakfish have irregular wavy lines instead of those spots.

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.