1. (1) Recreational Minimum and Maximum Size Limits –

   1. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (1)(b), a recreational harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land a spotted seatrout that does not meet the specified size limits established in this paragraph for each region:

      1. Panhandle Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 19 inches in total length.

      2. Big Bend Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 19 inches in total length.

      3. Tampa Bay Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 19 inches in total length.

      4. Sarasota Bay Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 19 inches in total length.

      5. Charlotte Harbor Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 19 inches in total length.

      6. Southwest Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 19 inches in total length.

      7. Southeast Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 19 inches in total length.

      8. Indian River Lagoon Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 19 inches in total length.

      9. Northeast Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 19 inches in total length.

   2. (b) Except as provided in paragraph (1)(c), a recreational harvester may harvest or possess, within or without Florida Waters, and land per day no more than one spotted seatrout per person or per vessel, whichever is less, that is greater than the size limits established in paragraph (1)(a) for each region specified in this paragraph. This provision will not be construed to authorize harvest or possession of spotted seatrout of any size in excess of the applicable bag limits.

      1. Panhandle Region.

      2. Big Bend Region.

      3. Tampa Bay Region.

      4. Sarasota Bay Region.

      5. Charlotte Harbor Region.

      6. Southwest Region.

      7. Southeast Region.

   3. (c) A recreational harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters, or land any spotted seatrout greater than the size limits established in paragraph (1)(a) for each region specified in this paragraph:

      1. Indian River Lagoon Region.

      2. Northeast Region.

2. (2) Commercial Minimum and Maximum Size Limits – A commercial harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land a spotted seatrout that does not meet the specified size limits established in this subsection.

   1. (a) Panhandle Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 24 inches in total length.
   2. (b) Big Bend Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 24 inches in total length.
   3. (c) Tampa Bay Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 24 inches in total length.
   4. (d) Sarasota Bay Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 24 inches in total length.
   5. (e) Charlotte Harbor Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 24 inches in total length.
   6. (f) Southwest Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 24 inches in total length.
   7. (g) Southeast Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 24 inches in total length.
   8. (h) Indian River Lagoon Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 24 inches in total length.
   9. (i) Northeast Region – No less than 15 inches or greater than 24 inches in total length.
3. (3) Landed in Whole Condition Requirement – A person harvesting spotted seatrout within or without Florida Waters shall land each spotted seatrout in whole condition. A person may not possess within or without Florida Waters a spotted seatrout that has been beheaded, sliced, divided, filleted, ground, skinned, scaled, or deboned. This provision will not be construed to prohibit evisceration (gutting) of a spotted seatrout, or removal of gills from a spotted seatrout.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 11-1-89, Amended 1-1-96, 8-1-96, Formerly 46-37.003, Amended 7-1-00, 2-1-12, 9-1-13, 2-26-20, 4-1-26, 5-27-26.