1. (1) Recreational Closed Seasons –

   1. (a) Panhandle Region – A person may not harvest or land a spotted seatrout from within or without Florida Waters of the Panhandle Region or possess a spotted seatrout in or on Florida Waters of the Panhandle Region beginning February 1 and continuing through the last day of February each year.
   2. (b) Indian River Lagoon Region – A person may not harvest or land a spotted seatrout from within or without Florida Waters of the Indian River Lagoon Region or possess a spotted seatrout in or on Florida Waters of the Indian River Lagoon Region beginning November 1 and continuing through December 31 each year.

   Except as provided in paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b), there is no closed season for the recreational harvest of spotted seatrout.

2. (2) Commercial Open Seasons – The harvest, landing, and possession of spotted seatrout for commercial purposes shall be limited each year to the period established in this subsection within the following identified regions:

   1. (a) Panhandle Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31.
   2. (b) Big Bend Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31.
   3. (c) Tampa Bay Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31.
   4. (d) Sarasota Bay Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31.
   5. (e) Charlotte Harbor Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31.
   6. (f) Southwest Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31.
   7. (g) Southeast Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31.
   8. (h) Indian River Lagoon Region – Beginning May 1 and continuing through September 30.
   9. (i) Northeast Region – Beginning June 1 and continuing through November 30.

3. (3) Commercial Closed Seasons – A commercial harvester may not harvest, possess, or land a spotted seatrout for commercial purposes from within or without Florida Waters of a region during the specified closed seasons for spotted seatrout for each region established in this subsection:

   1. (a) Panhandle Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year.
   2. (b) Big Bend Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year.
   3. (c) Tampa Bay Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year.
   4. (d) Sarasota Bay Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year.
   5. (e) Charlotte Harbor Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year.
   6. (f) Southwest Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year.
   7. (g) Southeast Region – Beginning November 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year.
   8. (h) Indian River Lagoon Region – Beginning October 1 and continuing through April 30 of the following year.
   9. (i) Northeast Region – Beginning December 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year.

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, Formerly 46-37.005, Amended 2-1-12, 9-1-13, 2-26-20, 4-1-26.