Common snook in Florida
Florida common snook: limits, records and waters.
- 45.75 lbrecord
Photo: jose_colorado-dapa, CC BY-SA 4.0
Common snook in Florida waters
Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record common snook weighed 45.75 pounds (Sebastian, 2015).
FWC on common snook
Where common snook live
“Inshore in coastal waters, including mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds, beaches and around structure.”
Common snook behavior
“Begin life as males, but between 18 and 22 inches long some become females.”
“Form schools during spawning season.”
“Feed on fish and large crustaceans.”
“Cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60° F.”
“Can tolerate freshwater.”
Seasons for common snook
“Form schools during spawning season.”
“Cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60° F.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida common snook limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panhandle Region | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31 |
| Big Bend Region | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31 |
| Tampa Bay Region | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31 |
| Sarasota Bay Region | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31 |
| Charlotte Harbor Region | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – September 30 |
| Southwest Region | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – September 30 |
| Southeast Region | 1 a day | 28-32 in. TL | Closed December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31 |
| Indian River Lagoon Region | 1 a day | 28-32 in. TL | Closed December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31 |
| Northeast Region | 1 a day | 28-32 in. TL | Closed December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31 |
Coast: Gulf (per FWC annual review grouping). Hook and line only. Snook permit plus saltwater license required. No commercial harvest or sale. Must remain whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not retain a bag limit.
Coast: Gulf (per FWC annual review grouping). Hook and line only. Snook permit plus saltwater license required. No commercial harvest or sale. Must remain whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not retain a bag limit.
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record common snook
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 45.75 | Sebastian | 2015 |
| Fly | 30.25 | Chokoloskee | 1993 |
| Length | Port St. Lucie | 2025 | |
| Youth length | Hollywood | 2024 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Florida bays for common snook
Big Bend region (1 a day, 28-33 in. TL)
- Alligator HarborFranklin
- Apalachee BayWakulla
- Deadman BayTaylor
- Ochlockonee BayFranklin, Wakulla
- Suwannee SoundLevy
- Waccasassa BayLevy
- Withlacoochee BayLevy
Charlotte Harbor region (1 a day, 28-33 in. TL)
- Charlotte HarborCharlotte, Lee
- Estero BayLee
- Gasparilla SoundCharlotte, Lee
- Lemon BayCharlotte, Sarasota
- Matlacha PassLee
- Pine Island SoundLee
- San Carlos BayLee
Indian River Lagoon region (1 a day, 28-32 in. TL)
- 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 (1 a day, 28-32 in. TL)
- Cumberland SoundNassau
- Halifax RiverVolusia
- Matanzas RiverFlagler, St. Johns
- Nassau SoundDuval, Nassau
- Tolomato RiverSt. Johns
Panhandle region (1 a day, 28-33 in. TL)
- 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 (1 a day, 28-33 in. TL)
- Little Sarasota BaySarasota
- Palma Sola BayManatee
- Roberts Bay (Siesta Key)Sarasota
- Roberts Bay (Venice)Sarasota
- Sarasota BayManatee, Sarasota
Southeast region (1 a day, 28-32 in. TL)
- Barnes SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Biscayne BayMiami-Dade
- Card SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Florida BayMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Lake Worth LagoonPalm Beach
Southwest region (1 a day, 28-33 in. TL)
- Chokoloskee BayCollier
- Fakahatchee BayCollier
- Naples BayCollier
- Ponce de Leon BayMonroe
- Whitewater BayMonroe
Tampa Bay region (1 a day, 28-33 in. TL)
- Boca Ciega BayPinellas
- Clearwater HarborPinellas
- Hillsborough BayHillsborough
- Old Tampa BayHillsborough, Pinellas
- St. Joseph SoundPinellas
- Tampa BayHillsborough, Manatee
Other Florida saltwater fish
Quick answers on common snook
How many common snook can I keep in Florida?
1 a day (Panhandle Region), size: 28-33 in. TL.
What is the Florida state record common snook?
45.75 pounds, caught in 2015.
What lakes have common snook?
The lists above show where common snook are caught.
Has Florida stocked common snook?
No recent FWC stocking of common snook is listed.
What is the Big Catch minimum for common snook?
FWC lists no Big Catch minimum for common snook.
What is the Latin name for common snook?
Centropomus undecimalis.
Do I need a license to catch common snook?
Anglers 16 and up need a saltwater license unless exempt.
Does common snook season ever close?
Yes: Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31; Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – September 30.
Who sets the common snook rules?
FWC species profiles, regulations, state records and stocking reports.