Lobster Mini Season

The two-day spiny lobster sport season takes place the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July. The State of Florida allows divers to hunt for spiny lobsters prior to the commercial season. This 48-hour event represents 25 percent of the total annual recreational fishing in Florida. This yearit is on July 30th and July 31st beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday and ends at 12 a.m. on Thursday. Regular lobster season is August 6 through March 31.

Florida Lobstering Guide offers great tips and techniques for catching these tasty critters! 

Get Ready, Set, Hunt!

Get your boat and diving gear ready! South Florida is a popular lobster harvesting destination. Be prepared! If you plan to harvest spiny lobsters, you must have a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit.

Restrictions apply:

• Possession and use of a measuring device is required at all times.

• Minimum carapace size limit is 3”, measured in the water.

• Spiny lobsters must be landed in whole condition.

• Spiny lobster limits on water: 12 per person per day.

• Spiny lobster limits on land: 12 per person on day one and 24 per person on day two (Six bag limit per person per day for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park).

• Spiny lobster harvesting is prohibited at John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park only during the sport season.

• Night diving is prohibited in Monroe County only during the sport season.

• All lobster hunting is prohibited at Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park and the no-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
   

More information about Florida regulations for spiny lobster harvesting can be found here.

Permits and fishing licenses may be purchased online or at a service center (excluding Lantana and Palm Beach Gardens locations).