Snook 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)
• Ten Thousand IslandsAgency list: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Boca Ciega BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Charlotte HarborAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Cockroach BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Lemon BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Matlacha PassAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Pine Island SoundAgency list: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Rookery BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Terra Ceia BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Bishop HarborAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Boca Grande PassAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Fort Island Gulf BeachAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Fort Pierce InletAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Hillsboro InletAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• John's PassAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Jupiter InletAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Lake WorthAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Longboat PassAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Sebastian InletAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Tampa BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Tarpon BayAgency list: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Venice InletAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Identification

• Snook have a large mouth with a protruding lower jaw reaching below the rear of the eye, a sloping forehead, and a high, divided dorsal fin.[1]
  What the source says

  “Large mouth with a protruding lower jaw Jaw reaches below the rear portion of the eye Sloping forehead High dorsal fin that is divided”

• Look for a black lateral line that runs onto the tail, and yellow pelvic fins.[1]
  What the source says

  “Black lateral line extends onto tail Pelvic fin yellow in color”

• Common snook reach up to 48 inches (50 pounds) and grow much larger than Florida's other snook species.[1]
  What the source says

  “Similar Species: Other snook species Size: Up to 48 inches (50 pounds); grow much larger than other snook species”

More on identifying snook

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, Gulf regions such as Big Bend, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay): closed December 1 to the end of February and May 1 to August 31; 28- to 33-inch slot; one fish per person per day.[2]
  What the source says

  “Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31 Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 33” total length Bag Limit: One fish per person per day”

• Florida (FWC rule, Atlantic regions such as Indian River Lagoon and Northeast): closed December 15 to January 31 and June 1 to August 31; 28- to 32-inch slot; one fish per person per day.[2]
  What the source says

  “Closed Season: December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31 Slot Limit: Not less than 28” or more than 32” total length Bag Limit: One fish per person per day”

• Florida (FWC rule): commercial harvest or sale of snook is not allowed, gear is hook and line only, and anglers need a snook permit plus a recreational fishing license.[2]
  What the source says

  “No commercial harvest or sale of snook is permitted. Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore. When on a for-hire trip, captain and crew may not retain a bag limit. Allowable Gear: Hook and line only License Requirements: Snook permit and recreational fishing license.”

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, Florida7 snook waters
• Florida Keys, Florida2 snook waters
• Homosassa & the Nature Coast, Florida1 snook water

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. Snook | FWC (species profile) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, read Oct 24, 2026.
2. Snook | FWC (recreational regulations) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, read Oct 24, 2026.