Warmouth in Florida
Best waters and rules for warmouth.
- 2.44 lbrecord
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Florida Warmouth guide
Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) is managed by FWC as a freshwater species. FWC’s Big Catch program recognizes warmouth from 9 inches or 0.5 lbs. The Florida record warmouth weighed 2.44 pounds (Yellow River, 1985).
About warmouth
Warmouth habitat
“Warmouths inhabit swamps, marshes, shallow lakes, slow-moving streams and canals with soft, muddy bottoms.”
“They stay around aquatic vegetation, stumps and snags and under the banks of streams and ponds.”
“They have more tolerance for muddy water than most species.”
Spawning and feeding, warmouth
“Warmouths are solitary nesters that prefer to nest adjacent to a submerged object.”
“Nests are found over a wide range of water depths.”
“They often spawn more than once a year usually between April and August.”
“Crayfish, shrimp, insects and small fishes make up the bulk of their diet.”
“Most feeding is done in the morning, as it appears to sleep at night.”
Seasons for warmouth
“They often spawn more than once a year usually between April and August.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida warmouth limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 50 a day | none | Open year round |
50 panfish including bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), flier, longear sunfish, mud sunfish, shadow bass, spotted sunfish (stumpknocker), warmouth and redbreast sunfish, individually or in total.
FWC freshwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record warmouth
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater | 2.44 | Yellow River | 1985 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Other Florida freshwater fish
What anglers ask about warmouth
What is the bag limit on warmouth?
50 a day (Statewide), size: none.
How big is the Florida record warmouth?
The record weighed 2.44 pounds (1985).
Where are the best places to catch warmouth in Florida?
Use the bay and county lists above to find warmouth.
Do hatcheries raise warmouth?
Not in the 2021-22 to 2023-24 reports for warmouth.
Can I get a Big Catch certificate for warmouth?
9 inches or 0.5 lbs.
How are warmouth classified?
Lepomis gulosus.
What license covers warmouth?
Yes, unless exempt; buy the freshwater license.
Is there a closed season for warmouth?
warmouth are open all year.
Where do the warmouth numbers come from?
FWC rules and records, checked October 2026.