Bonefish in Florida

Florida waters

Most fished first. A species missing from an agency list does not mean it is absent; this page lists only waters whose list names it (at least 5 are needed for a page).

• Florida Keys flatsAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Biscayne BayAgency list: National Park Service (Biscayne National Park)
• Pine Island SoundAgency list: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Hillsboro InletAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Tarpon BayAgency list: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Identification

• Bonefish are silvery with a bluish or greenish back, a slender, rounded body and a long snout that overhangs the lower jaw.[1]
  What the source says

  “Silvery color with a bluish or greenish back Slender, round body Snout long and overhanging lower jaw”

• Look for dark streaks on the upper half of the body, faint cross-bands down to the lateral line, and black-shaded tips on the dorsal and tail fins.[1]
  What the source says

  “Dark streaks on upper half of body and faint cross-bands extending down to lateral line Extremities of dorsal and caudal fins are shaded with black”

• Ladyfish look similar, but a ladyfish's mouth sits at the very front of the head.[1]
  What the source says

  “Similar Species: Ladyfish, E. saurus (mouth terminal, at the very front of head)”

More on identifying bonefish

Status, protections and rules

As each agency stated them on the date read; a rule applies only where its agency says so. Check the current regulations for the water before you fish.

• Florida (FWC rule): bonefish are a catch-and-release only fishery. Commissioners approved the measure in June 2013 and it took effect on September 1, 2013.[2]
  What the source says

  “June 2013: FWC Commissioners approved measures to make bonefish a catch-and-release only fishery. This includes the elimination of a tournament exemption permit. This exemption allowed tournament anglers with the proper permit to temporarily possess bonefish for transport to a tournament scale. This change went into effect Sept. 1, 2013.”

• Belize: a catch-and-release fishing law covers bonefish, tarpon and permit, which have been protected there since 2008 (as stated by the Belize City Council).[3]
  What the source says

  “The Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute in partnership with the Belize City Council recently installed a sign at Conchshell Bay Fishmarket to remind fishermen of the catch and release fishing law which pertains to bonefish, tarpon and permit fish. These 3 species have been protected since 2008”

• Belize: in 2009 the government enacted two sport fishing regulations to protect sport fishing species. One is run by the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, the other by the Fisheries Department.[4]
  What the source says

  “In 2009, the Government of Belize enacted two sport fishing regulation to protect sport fishing species. These are: (i) Coastal Zone Management Authority ( Sport Fishing) Regulations, implemented by CZMAI and (ii) Fisheries ( Species Designation Protection) Regulations, implemented by the Fisheries Department.”

Destination hubs

Hubs that list one of these waters, or that a water page is near: each has guides, shops, licences and trip planning for the area.

• Boca Grande & Charlotte Harbor, Florida2 bonefish waters
• Florida Keys, Florida2 bonefish waters

Sources

Every fact on this page is our paraphrase of the page cited beside it, read on the date shown. Rules and seasons change: check the agency's current regulations before you fish.

1. Bonefish | FWC (species profile) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, read Oct 24, 2026.
2. Bonefish | FWC (recreational regulations) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, read Oct 24, 2026.
3. Sign Installation For Catch and Release Fishing Law Belize City Council, read Oct 24, 2026.
4. Sport Fishing In Belize (brochure) Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (Belize), read Oct 24, 2026.