Tarpon 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)
• Mosquito LagoonAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Alligator HarborAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Apalachicola BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• 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
• Rocky BayouAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Rookery BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Saint Andrew BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Saint Joseph BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Terra Ceia BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Big LagoonAgency 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
• Cedar KeysAgency list: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Choctawhatchee BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Escambia BayAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Joe's BayouAgency 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
• Matanzas InletAgency list: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Ponce de Leon 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

• Tarpon have a dark blue-green or greenish-black back that turns bright silver on the sides.[1]
  What the source says

  “Back is dark blue-green or greenish-black, becoming bright silver on the sides”

• The last ray of the single dorsal fin extends into a long filament; the scales are very large and the large mouth points upward.[1]
  What the source says

  “One dorsal fin; last ray of dorsal fin extended into a long filament Very large scales Mouth large and points upward”

More on identifying tarpon

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): tarpon is a catch-and-release only fishery. One tarpon tag per person per year may be bought only when pursuing a Florida state or world record.[2]
  What the source says

  “Daily Bag Limit: Tarpon is a catch-and-release only fishery. One tarpon tag per person per year may be purchased when in pursuit of a Florida state or world record. Vessel, transport and shipment limited to one fish.”

• Florida (FWC rule): tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water unless you are pursuing a state or world record with a tarpon tag. Keep the fish, especially its gills, in as much water as is safely possible.[2]
  What the source says

  “Minimum Size Limit: None. Tarpon over 40 inches MUST remain in the water unless in pursuit of a state or world record using a tarpon tag. Keep tarpon, especially the gills, in as much water as is safely possible.”

• Belize: tarpon fall under the catch-and-release fishing law that also covers bonefish and permit (as stated by the Belize City Council).[3]
  What the source says

  “the catch and release fishing law which pertains to bonefish, tarpon and permit fish. These 3 species have been protected since 2008”

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 tarpon waters
• Florida Keys, Florida2 tarpon waters
• Titusville & Mosquito Lagoon, Florida2 tarpon waters
• Homosassa & the Nature Coast, Florida1 tarpon 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. Tarpon | FWC (species profile) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, read Oct 24, 2026.
2. Tarpon | 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.