Q. When is mini season?
Q. How many lobsters am I allowed to catch?
A. The daily limit for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park is 6, but for the rest of Florida it is 12. While you are on the water you may be in possession of your daily limit, while you are on land you may be in possession of the daily limit the first day and twice the daily limit the second day.
Monroe County Biscayne National Park
Q. Do I need a fishing license to catch lobster?
A. Yes, in fact, not only do you need a valid Florida recreational saltwater fishing license but you need a crawfish permit as well (a.k.a. a lobster permit). Check here for current prices.
Q. Where can I get the proper licenses to catch lobster?
A. To purchase online go to the FWC's website. You can also purchase licenses in person at the tax collectors office or at local fishing stores. I have personally purchased licenses at Sports Authority and Wal-Mart and as far as I know they both still sell them.
Q. What is the difference between a Florida lobster and a Maine lobster?
A. The major difference between the two is that Maine lobsters have large front pincers (claws) and small antenna while the Florida lobster has tiny front pincers and large antenna. With exception of the claws and antenna the two creatures look relatively similar, even though, biologically speaking, they are not closely related. The major similarity is that they both taste delicious dipped in butter.
Q. Can you take lobsters out of an abandoned trap?
A. No, you may not take lobsters out of an abandoned or discarded trap. If you find a lost trap full of bugs it is illegal to take them out of it. If you come across an abandoned trap you should technically leave it alone and move on. However, if it is off season and no traps should be out in the first place, you can be pretty sure no fisherman is coming to claim it. In that case, if you want to be nice you can release the lobsters to the ocean and if possible break the trap so that more lobsters do not get stuck in it. Since it's technically illegal to do so, if you get stopped by the FWC, you're not allowed to tell them I told you to do it.
Q. Do I need a fishing license to catch lobster?
A. Yes, in fact, not only do you need a valid Florida recreational saltwater fishing license but you need a crawfish permit as well (a.k.a. a lobster permit). Check here for current prices.
Q. Where can I get the proper licenses to catch lobster?
A. To purchase online go to the FWC's website. You can also purchase licenses in person at the tax collectors office or at local fishing stores. I have personally purchased licenses at Sports Authority and Wal-Mart and as far as I know they both still sell them.
Q. What is the difference between a Florida lobster and a Maine lobster?
A. The major difference between the two is that Maine lobsters have large front pincers (claws) and small antenna while the Florida lobster has tiny front pincers and large antenna. With exception of the claws and antenna the two creatures look relatively similar, even though, biologically speaking, they are not closely related. The major similarity is that they both taste delicious dipped in butter.
Maine Lobster Florida Lobster
Q. Can you take lobsters out of an abandoned trap?
A. No, you may not take lobsters out of an abandoned or discarded trap. If you find a lost trap full of bugs it is illegal to take them out of it. If you come across an abandoned trap you should technically leave it alone and move on. However, if it is off season and no traps should be out in the first place, you can be pretty sure no fisherman is coming to claim it. In that case, if you want to be nice you can release the lobsters to the ocean and if possible break the trap so that more lobsters do not get stuck in it. Since it's technically illegal to do so, if you get stopped by the FWC, you're not allowed to tell them I told you to do it.
