Florida’s annual spiny lobster mini season is underway, with the two-day recreational sport season beginning Wednesday before the regular season opens next week.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the 2026 recreational sport season runs Wednesday through Thursday, giving recreational harvesters an opportunity to catch spiny lobster ahead of the regular season, which begins Aug. 6 and continues through March 31, 2027.
Before heading onto the water, the FWC reminded participants that they must have a valid Florida saltwater fishing license, a spiny lobster permit, and be familiar with the state’s lobster harvesting regulations.
Local 10 News was in Key Biscayne early Wednesday to speak with some of the boaters who headed out just after midnight to catch their hauls.
“It was good, man,” Christian Gonzalez said. “I mean, they were running through the flats pretty good. We were able to limit it out in less than an hour, so it was pretty decent. I mean, pretty good night overall.”
Lobsters often hide in reefs, under rock ledges.
Some folks told Local 10 News that it seems there are less lobsters under the sea this year, but they still pulled a decent haul.
“The waves weren’t bad at all, the weather’s nice, it’s kind of smooth, but like I said, there’s not a lot of lobsters right now,” one boater identified only as Jayden said.
The annual event is a time-honored tradition and family event for many people, young and old.
“(In) 15 minutes, we got our first limit, and then probably within the next 30 minutes, we got our other two limits,” a man named David said.
Bag limits vary by location
During the two-day sport season, recreational harvesters are limited to:
- 6 lobsters per person, per day in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park waters.
- 12 lobsters per person, per day in all other Florida waters.
The FWC said bag limits apply only to properly licensed individuals, or those exempt from licensing, who are actively harvesting. People who are not harvesting cannot be counted toward another person’s daily limit.
Harvest rules
State wildlife officials also reminded lobster hunters to follow several key regulations during the season.
Harvesters may only keep lobsters with a carapace measuring more than 3 inches, and the measurement must be taken while the lobster is still in the water. A measuring device must be carried at all times.
Egg-bearing female lobsters may not be harvested, and lobsters must remain whole. Removing the tail from the body while on the water is prohibited.
The FWC also said it is illegal to use any device that punctures, penetrates or crushes a lobster’s shell.
Bonus lobster available for Lionfish Challenge participants
Participants in the 2026 Lionfish Challenge may qualify to harvest one additional lobster per day during the sport season.
To qualify, recreational participants must harvest and report at least 25 lionfish, while commercial participants must harvest 50 pounds or more of lionfish. Eligible harvesters must carry their 2026 FWC-issued Lionfish Challenge coin while lobstering.
Boating and diving safety
The FWC is urging boaters and divers to put safety first.
Officials recommend wearing a life jacket whenever a boat is underway and remind operators that boating under the influence of alcohol is illegal.
Divers must remain within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag in open water and within 100 feet when diving near an inlet or navigation channel. Boaters approaching a divers-down flag are required to slow to idle speed within those distances.
For those using bully nets during the sport season, the FWC is also asking harvesters to be courteous by directing lights toward the water, avoiding shining lights at homes or people, and keeping noise to a minimum.
For more information about Florida’s spiny lobster regulations, click here.
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