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Florida

88 species
🌊
Saltwater Fish
Sailfish
🐟
Freshwater Fish
Florida Bass
🦅
State Bird
Mockingbird
🌸
State Flower
Orange Blossom
🦌
State Mammal
Florida Panther

Florida Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Secondary: Oct, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 60-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: lakes, rivers, ponds
State freshwater fish; spring spawn peak

Spotted Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May
Secondary: Oct, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 60-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, streams
North/Panhandle Florida

Suwannee Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May, Jun
🌡️ Temp: 62-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers
⭐ Florida native; Suwannee & Ochlockonee rivers

Shoal Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun
🌡️ Temp: 62-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, rapids
Limited range; Apalachicola drainage

Peacock Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 72-88°F
🏞️ Habitat: canals, lakes
⭐ SE Florida canals; introduced exotic

Black Crappie

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
🌡️ Temp: 55-70°F
🏞️ Habitat: lakes, rivers
Prime cool-season fishing; "Speck"

Bluegill

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
🌡️ Temp: 65-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: ponds, lakes
Bedding cycles; year-round available

Redear Sunfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun
🌡️ Temp: 68-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: lakes, ponds
Shellcracker; spring beds

Warmouth

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 65-88°F
🏞️ Habitat: swamps, slow_rivers
Year-round; heavy cover

Redbreast Sunfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 60-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, streams
North Florida streams

Pumpkinseed

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul
🌡️ Temp: 65-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: ponds
Limited range; North Florida

Channel Catfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 70-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, lakes
Summer peak; statewide

Blue Catfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 70-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: large_rivers
Trophy potential; North FL

Flathead Catfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 72-88°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers
North Florida; live bait

Brown Bullhead

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Year-round; small

Yellow Bullhead

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Year-round; common

American Shad

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar
🌡️ Temp: 50-65°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers
Spring runs; St. Johns River

Sunshine Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: Sep, May
🌡️ Temp: 55-72°F
🏞️ Habitat: lakes, reservoirs
Hybrid Striped Bass; cooler-water preference; strongest winter/spring

Alligator Gar

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 65-88°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, coastal_rivers
Trophy fish; special regulations

Bowfin

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Living fossil; aggressive

Longnose Gar

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Common; brackish tolerant

Florida Gar

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Native; statewide

Chain Pickerel

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Year-round; North FL

American Eel

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Catadromous; coastal rivers

Golden Shiner

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Common baitfish

Common Carp

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; removal encouraged

Grass Carp

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; vegetation control

Snakehead

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🚨 INVASIVE - MUST be killed if caught; ILLEGAL to release alive, transport alive, or possess alive in Florida

Blue Tilapia

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; widespread in warm waters

Nile Tilapia

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; SE Florida

Armored Catfish

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; Plecos; aquarium releases

Goldfish

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; released pets

Snook

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 70-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, mangroves, passes
⭐ Florida icon; cold sensitive

Red Drum

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov
Secondary: Mar, Apr, May
🌡️ Temp: 60-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, flats, passes
Fall migration peak

Black Drum

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
🌡️ Temp: 55-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, oyster_beds
Winter-spring near structure

Spotted Seatrout

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
🌡️ Temp: 60-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, grass_flats
Cool-season prime; "Speckled Trout"

Tarpon

Regulated
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul
🌡️ Temp: 72-88°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, passes, backcountry
⭐ Silver King; mostly catch-and-release

Jack Crevalle

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 65-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, nearshore
Year-round; aggressive fighter

Ladyfish

Regulated
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 65-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, passes
Year-round; excellent bait

Tripletail

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 72-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, structure, flotsam
Summer; near floating structure

Sheepshead

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
🌡️ Temp: 55-70°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, piers, jetties
Winter peak; structure

Mangrove Snapper

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 70-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, mangroves, reefs
Year-round; Gray Snapper

Striped Mullet

Non-Game
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Year-round; excellent bait & food

Southern Flounder

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov
Secondary: Mar, Apr, May
🌡️ Temp: 55-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, passes
Fall migration peak; spring inshore return

Summer Flounder

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 60-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, offshore
More nearshore/offshore than southern flounder

Permit

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 72-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: flats, wrecks, reefs
Peak spring-summer; highly prized sportfish

Pompano

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 65-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: surf, inshore, beaches
Peak runs spring & fall; excellent table fare

Bonefish

Regulated
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Secondary: Nov
🌡️ Temp: 72-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: flats, backcountry
Tropical/subtropical preference; catch-and-release

Mahi-Mahi

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 75-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: offshore, weedlines
Dolphinfish; summer peak

King Mackerel

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 68-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, offshore
Summer migration; "Kingfish"

Spanish Mackerel

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 65-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, inshore
Extended season; fast action

Wahoo

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
🌡️ Temp: 68-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: offshore
Winter offshore; speed demon

Cobia

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May
🌡️ Temp: 70-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, inshore
Spring migration; "Ling"

Sailfish

Regulated
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
🌡️ Temp: 72-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: offshore
⭐ State saltwater fish; mostly catch-and-release

Blackfin Tuna

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 70-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: offshore
Year-round offshore SE FL

Yellowfin Tuna

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 72-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: offshore
Summer offshore; regional

Bluefish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 55-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, inlets, surf
Peak runs spring & fall; highly seasonal movements

Red Grouper

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
🌡️ Temp: 68-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, wrecks
Spring-summer; check FWC seasons

Gag Grouper

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul
🌡️ Temp: 68-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, wrecks
Spring peak; check FWC seasons

Black Grouper

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 72-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, wrecks
Summer; deep reefs

Red Snapper

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 70-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, wrecks
Summer; highly regulated

Lane Snapper

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 70-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, nearshore
Year-round; smaller snapper

Mutton Snapper

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 72-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, flats
Summer; excellent table fare

Yellowtail Snapper

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 70-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, offshore
Year-round; Keys favorite

Black Sea Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 60-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, wrecks
Spring-summer; nearshore

Greater Amberjack

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 68-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, wrecks
Spring-summer; powerful fighter

Hogfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 70-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, grass_flats
Year-round; excellent table fare

Gray Triggerfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Secondary: Apr, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 65-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, wrecks, hard_bottom
Winter: deeper water, reduced encounters

Atlantic Spadefish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Secondary: Mar, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 68-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: wrecks, pilings, buoys, nearshore_reefs
Winter: scattered, less predictable

Scamp Grouper

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 68-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, wrecks
Gulf & Atlantic reefs; winter: deeper structure

Great Barracuda

Awareness Only
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 70-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, passes, inshore_structure
⚠️ Year-round; peak visibility spring-fall; safety-awareness species

Goliath Grouper

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 70-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: reefs, wrecks, mangroves
🛡️ PROTECTED SPECIES - No harvest; catch-and-release only; peak visibility summer

Blacktip Shark

Awareness Only
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
⚠️ Safety awareness; common nearshore

Spinner Shark

Awareness Only
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
⚠️ Safety awareness; spinning jumps

Bull Shark

Awareness Only
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ CAUTION; freshwater tolerant; year-round

Bonnethead

Awareness Only
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Small shark; year-round inshore

Nurse Shark

Awareness Only
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Docile; year-round; reefs

Southern Stingray

Awareness Only
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Venomous barb; shuffle feet; year-round

Cownose Ray

Awareness Only
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
⚠️ Migrates in schools; spring-fall

Atlantic Stingray

Awareness Only
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Small ray; year-round

Minnows (group)

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 60-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: streams, rivers, lakes, springs
Essential forage base; group includes dozens of species

Shiners (group)

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 60-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds
Popular live bait; golden shiners widely used

Suckers (group)

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 55-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: streams, rivers
Bottom feeders; spawn in spring

Atlantic Menhaden (Pogies)

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 60-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: coastal, bays, estuaries
Critical forage for predatory fish; both coasts

Mullet (group)

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 65-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: coastal, bays, estuaries, beaches
Striped and white mullet; excellent bait and forage

Bay Anchovy

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 65-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: bays, estuaries
Abundant baitfish; critical forage base

Silversides

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 60-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: coastal, bays, surf
Small schooling fish; important prey for gamefish

Glass Minnows (group)

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 65-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: bays, inshore, docks, bridges
Translucent baitfish; popular for live bait and chum

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