Bonefish in Florida
Where to catch bonefish, plus limits and records.
- 16.19 lbrecord
Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0
Fishing for Bonefish in Florida
Bonefish (Albula vulpes) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record bonefish weighed 16.19 pounds (Islamorada, 2007).
Know your bonefish
Home water for bonefish
“Inshore fish inhabiting shallow waters often less than one foot deep, usually over lush seagrass flats, but occasionally over white sand”
How bonefish feed and spawn
“Bonefish have deeply forked tails that provide power for chasing prey in lush grass beds.”
“Keen eyesight and a skittish nature make these fish a prized trophy for saltwater anglers.”
“They travel in small schools prowling grass beds and sand flats for shrimp, crabs and other invertebrates.”
“Average size is 3 to 5 pounds but fish weighing more than 10 pounds can be found in Florida.”
“Spawns offshore.”
Seasons for bonefish
“Spawns offshore.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida bonefish limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | catch and release | none | Catch-and-release year-round |
Catch-and-release only fishery (effective Sept. 1, 2013).
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record bonefish
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 16.19 | Islamorada | 2007 |
| Fly | 15.5 | Key Biscayne | 1997 |
| Length | |||
| Youth length | Summerland Key | 2024 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Florida bays for bonefish
Big Bend region
- Alligator HarborFranklin
- Apalachee BayWakulla
- Deadman BayTaylor
- Ochlockonee BayFranklin, Wakulla
- Suwannee SoundLevy
- Waccasassa BayLevy
- Withlacoochee BayLevy
Charlotte Harbor region
- Charlotte HarborCharlotte, Lee
- Estero BayLee
- Gasparilla SoundCharlotte, Lee
- Lemon BayCharlotte, Sarasota
- Matlacha PassLee
- Pine Island SoundLee
- San Carlos BayLee
Indian River Lagoon region
- Banana RiverBrevard
- Hobe SoundMartin
- Indian River (Indian River Lagoon)Brevard, Indian River
- Jupiter SoundMartin, Palm Beach
- Loxahatchee River estuaryMartin, Palm Beach
- Mosquito LagoonBrevard, Volusia
- St. Lucie River estuaryMartin, St. Lucie
Northeast region
- Cumberland SoundNassau
- Halifax RiverVolusia
- Matanzas RiverFlagler, St. Johns
- Nassau SoundDuval, Nassau
- Tolomato RiverSt. Johns
Panhandle region
- Apalachicola BayFranklin
- Big LagoonEscambia
- Blackwater BaySanta Rosa
- Choctawhatchee BayOkaloosa, Walton
- East Bay (Bay County)Bay, Gulf
- East Bay (Franklin County)Franklin
- East Bay (Santa Rosa County)Santa Rosa
- Escambia BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- North Bay (Bay County)Bay
- Pensacola BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- Perdido BayEscambia
- Santa Rosa SoundEscambia, Okaloosa
- St. Andrew BayBay
- St. Andrew SoundBay
- St. George SoundFranklin
- St. Joseph BayGulf
- St. Vincent SoundFranklin, Gulf
- West Bay (Bay County)Bay
Sarasota Bay region
- Little Sarasota BaySarasota
- Palma Sola BayManatee
- Roberts Bay (Siesta Key)Sarasota
- Roberts Bay (Venice)Sarasota
- Sarasota BayManatee, Sarasota
Southeast region
- Barnes SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Biscayne BayMiami-Dade
- Card SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Florida BayMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Lake Worth LagoonPalm Beach
Southwest region
- Chokoloskee BayCollier
- Fakahatchee BayCollier
- Naples BayCollier
- Ponce de Leon BayMonroe
- Whitewater BayMonroe
Tampa Bay region
- Boca Ciega BayPinellas
- Clearwater HarborPinellas
- Hillsborough BayHillsborough
- Old Tampa BayHillsborough, Pinellas
- St. Joseph SoundPinellas
- Tampa BayHillsborough, Manatee
Other Florida saltwater fish
Before you target bonefish
What are the Florida rules for keeping bonefish?
catch and release (Statewide), size: none.
What does the Florida record bonefish weigh?
It went 16.19 pounds, set in 2007.
Which Florida waters hold bonefish?
See the bays and reef counties listed for bonefish above.
Are bonefish stocked in Florida?
FWC reports show no bonefish stocking lately.
What size bonefish counts for a Big Catch certificate?
No Big Catch size is listed for bonefish.
What is the taxonomic name of bonefish?
Albula vulpes.
Can I fish for bonefish without a license?
Yes, a Florida saltwater license from age 16 unless exempt.
Can I keep bonefish year round?
FWC lists no closure for bonefish.
What sources cover bonefish here?
FWC, which sets Florida fishing rules.