Spotted Seatrout

Current Regulations for Spotted Seatrout

Recreational

Commercial

*Sale of seatrout inventory is allowed for 30 days after the season closes

Current spotted seatrout regions:

• Northwest: Escambia to Fred Howard Park Causeway
• Southwest: Fred Howard Park Causeway to Monroe County line at Card Sound
• Southeast: Miami-Dade County at Card Sound to Volusia County line
• Northeast: Volusia County to Nassau County

**NEW** Spotted Seatrout Commission Meeting Action

At the November 16, 2011, Commission meeting a final public hearing was held for spotted seatrout. The spotted seatrout population in Florida is exceeding the Commission's management goal as shown in the 2010 stock assessment. The following rules were approved and became effective February 1, 2012:

Recreational

• Removal of season closures
• Northeast bag limit increased to 6 fish

Commercial

• Southeast and Southwest region defined
• Increase in seasons
  • Southeast: May 1- Sept 30
  • Northeast: June 1- November 30
  • Southwest and Northwest: June 1- October 31
• A commercial vessel limit of 150 with two or more licensed fishermen are aboard
• Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes

For more information:

• Spotted Seatrout News Release - November 2011
• April 2011 Commission Meeting Presentation
• September 2011 Commission Meeting Information
• 2010 Spotted Seatrout Stock Assessment

Grand Slams in Florida

The Grand Slam Club celebrates the variety of Florida sport fishes and the achievement of anglers catching a particular set of three species in one day. There is a different slam for each of the state's four geographic regions, and spotted seatrout is included in two of them.  You may qualify for any Grand Slam anywhere in Florida.

Regional grand slam fishes

North Florida- Red drum, spotted seatrout and cobia
West Coast- Red drum, snook and tarpon
East Coast- Red drum, spotted seatrout and tarpon
South Florida- Tarpon, bonefish and permit

The Grand Slam program is conducted in collaboration with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) and requires anglers to fill out an application.  For more information on this program, visit the Grand Slam and Fishing Records page.

Spotted Seatrout Management in Florida

Spotted seatrout is managed for both commercial and recreational fishing in Florida.  Management in Florida began for spotted seatrout in the late 1980s when the fishery was declining. Spotted seatrout are managed using three regions: Northeast, Northwest and South. (See above for details on regulations.)

The management goal for spotted seatrout in Florida is a 35% spawning potential ratio (SPR).  Stock assessments were conducted in 2003 and 2006 that showed the spotted seatrout population as relatively stable. The 2010 stock assessment includes data through 2009 and it showed that the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest areas are exceeding the 35% SPR management goal. The Northwest area is hovering right at 35%.

Biology

Spotted seatrout inhabit inshore and estuarine waters along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast, occurring as far as the Gulf of Campeche, Mexico to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Genetic studies conducted in Florida waters have found that spotted seatrout are divided into five separate genetic stocks in Florida. Most spotted seatrout become sexually mature by one year old; however, males generally mature at smaller sizes and younger ages than females. In Florida, spotted seatrout commonly live up to 10 years old, grow to over two feet and weigh over eight pounds.