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(Rule 68B-31, F.A.C.)
License Requirement: Recreational
saltwater fishing license (resident or non-resident), unless a recreational saltwater fishing license applies.
Bag limit: 5 gallons heads on per
person per day, maximum possession limit of 5 gallons per vessel at any time.
Size limit: None
Closed season: April and May closed
to Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, & Clay counties.
Closed areas: Contact your nearest
FWC Law Enforcement office for local restrictions
Allowable recreational nets for the harvest of shrimp:
• Landing or dip net with an opening no larger than 96 inches around the perimeter;
• Cast net with a stretched length (the distance from the horn at the center of
the net, with the net gathered and pulled taut, to the lead line) no greater than 14 feet;
• Push net - "Push net" means a mesh net or bag attached to the outer
edges of a triangular or rectangular rigid frame with a handle attached that is fished by being pushed across the
bottom by a person wading;
• One frame net ("Frame net" means a net in the form of an elongated
bag kept open by a rigid frame that is buoyed by floats and is not fished or dragged along the bottom), with an
opening no larger than 16 feet around the perimeter, if deployed from a vessel or from a structure other than an
operational bridge or causeway or catwalk attached to such bridge or causeway. (Frame nets shall not be considered
an allowable gear for persons harvesting shrimp pursuant to this rule in any waters of the Southeast Region in
Dade County); or
• A beach or haul seine with a mesh area no larger than 500 square feet, mesh
size no large than 2 inches stretched mesh, and may not be made of monofilament.
Trawls are not an allowable gear for the recreational harvest of any saltwater species in Florida, including shrimp.
Shrimp Trap Information (370.15, Florida Statutes):
(3) SHRIMP TRAPS.--
(a) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to take or attempt to
take shrimp by the use of any trap which:
1. Exceeds the following dimensions: 36 inches long (from rear of the heart to
the leading edge of the trap), by 24 inches wide (between the leading edges of the trap, or heart opening), by
12 inches high; or
2. Has external or unattached wings, weirs, or other devices intended to funnel
shrimp to the trap heart.
(b) This subsection shall not be construed to restrict the allowable shape or
configuration of any shrimp trap so long as the trap, together with all of its parts, conforms to the specifications
of paragraph (a).
(c) Any shrimp trap which conforms to the specifications of paragraph (a) shall
not be considered a pound net.
(d) The user of any trap shall affix his or her name and address securely to each
trap. Any such trap not having proper identification is subject to confiscation by the commission. No person, firm,
or corporation shall have more than four traps in use at any time. The commission shall have the authority to inspect
such traps when being used in or on the waters of the state.
(e) The presence of unattended shrimp traps on or attached to beaches, causeways,
seawalls, bridges, or any other structures open for use by the public is hereby declared to be a nuisance. Any
such trap which is not attended by the person whose name is affixed to the trap is subject to confiscation by the
commission.
Baiting Information (68B-31.007 Florida Administrative Code):
(3) Baiting - A person harvesting shrimp pursuant to this rule may use a cast
net in conjunction with nonmetal poles to bait shrimp if such use is in compliance with the following restrictions.
(a) No more than 5 poles shall be set at any one time by any person.
(b) Each pole may not exceed one inch in diameter.
(c) Poles shall be driven into the bottom, set no closer than 10 yards apart,
and the distance between the first and last pole shall not exceed 50 yards.
(d) Poles shall only be set, fished, and retrieved during daylight hours. The
term “daylight hours” means the period beginning 1/2 hour before official sunrise and continuing through 1/2 hour
after official sunset, each day. All poles shall be removed each day by 1/2 hour after official sunset.
(e) Each pole shall be marked with white reflective tape.
(f) No pole shall be set within 50 yards of any dock, pier, public boat landing
or ramp, seawall, jetty, or bridge.
(g) Poles shall be tended at all times. The term “tend” means that the harvester
is within 100 yards of the nearest pole at all times.
Information Provided By The
Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission
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