Understanding Florida’s Lobster Mini-Season

Florida’s two-day “mini-season” (July 30–31, 2025) lets recreational divers get a jump on spiny lobster before the commercial traps drop—but Florida’s spiny-lobster regulations are strict, and enforcement is intense.

Each year, FWC officers flood the Keys, Biscayne National Park, and other hot spots, handing out dozens of citations for undersized “bugs,” over-limit catches, and unsafe boating.

Violations can mean hefty fines, jail time, or even felony charges for tampering with traps.

Summary

• License & Permit Required – A valid saltwater license and lobster stamp are mandatory for every harvester.
• Bag Limits Matter – 6 per person per day in the Keys/Biscayne; 12 elsewhere. No pooling or “extra for friends.”
• Two-Day Window Only – Legal harvest runs 12:01 a.m. Wednesday to 11:59 p.m. Thursday; anything outside that is “out-of-season.”
• Size & Condition – Keep lobsters whole and bigger than a 3-inch carapace; measure each one underwater.
• No Egg-Bearing Females – “Berried” lobsters must be released immediately.
• Legal Gear Only – Hands, nets, tickle sticks, snares; no spears, hooks, or recreational traps.
• Display Dive Flag – Divers must fly the red-and-white flag; boaters must idle within 300 ft.
• Keys-Specific Rules – No diving within 300 ft of shore or at night in Monroe County; heed local city ordinances.
• Respect Closed Zones – National parks, sanctuary no-take areas, and Pennekamp State Park are off-limits.
• Severe Penalties – Violations range from misdemeanors (fines/jail) to a third-degree felony for trap tampering. Call Sando Law immediately if cited or arrested.

Whether you’re a visiting diver or a lifelong Floridian, knowing the dos and don’ts is the only way to enjoy the hunt without ending up in court.

Dos: How to Stay Safe and Legal in Mini-Season

• Carry the proper licenses. Every harvester needs a Florida saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit on board—no paperwork = a misdemeanor citation.
• Know your bag limit—Monroe County & Biscayne NP: 6 lobsters per person, per day. Everywhere else: 12. Six means six—don’t “double-dip” or combine limits.
• Respect the clock. Mini-season runs 12:01 a.m. Wed. → 11:59 p.m. Thu. Possessing lobster outside that window is an out-of-season offense.
• Keep lobsters whole. Leave the tail attached until you’re back on land so officers can check the size.
• Measure in the water. Lobsters must have a 3-inch carapace; carry and use a gauge on every dive.
• Release egg-bearing females. Any lobster with visible eggs must go back—no exceptions.
• Use legal gear only. Hands, tickle stick, net, snare. No spears, hooks, or traps.
• Fly the dive flag. Display the red-and-white flag while anyone is in the water; boaters must idle within 300 ft.
• Follow Keys-specific rules. No diving within 300 ft of shore or at night in Monroe County; city ordinances may add more.
• Avoid closed zones. National parks, sanctuary “no-take” areas, and Pennekamp State Park (during mini-season) are off-limits.
• Prep your boat. Have required safety gear and working equipment—FWC will check.

Don’ts: Common Violations to Avoid

• Don’t exceed the limit. More than six per person in the Keys (or 12 elsewhere) equals a criminal charge.
• Don’t keep shorts. Anything under a 3-inch carapace—or tails separated at sea—will earn you multiple citations.
• Don’t keep “berried” lobsters. Egg-bearing females are strictly protected.
• Don’t hunt in forbidden places or times. Stay out of parks, sanctuaries, canals, and night dives in Monroe County.
• Don’t use illegal tools. Spears, gaffs, hooks, or recreational traps are prohibited.
• Don’t touch commercial traps. Tampering is a third-degree felony (up to 5 years in prison).
• Don’t ignore boating laws. Speeding near dive flags, BUI, or dumping carcasses can add hefty fines—or worse.

Legal Consequences and Enforcement in Mini-Season

It cannot be overstated that the lobster mini-season is intensely policed. Florida wildlife officers, Coast Guard, and local sheriffs’ marine units coordinate to patrol popular lobster spots. In Monroe County (Florida Keys) in 2024, authorities reported stopping over 600 vessels for safety and resource inspections over the two-day mini-season.

The result: dozens of citations and several arrests. Officers issued at least 18 criminal citation notices (requiring a court appearance) for wildlife violations, primarily for undersized lobsters and over-the-limit catches. At least four people were arrested on the spot for more egregious violations, and one person was even arrested for tampering with evidence when he tried to hide an illegal lobster catch during a stop.

These numbers make one thing clear: you’re very likely to encounter law enforcement during mini-season, and you will be held accountable if you break the rules. The penalties for lobster violations can be quite severe. Most lobster-related offenses are misdemeanors, but they still carry criminal penalties.

According to Florida FWC law, a first conviction for violating lobster regulations (for example, possessing undersized or over-limit lobsters) is punishable by a fine of $100 to $500 and up to 60 days in jail. That’s the standard range for a second-degree misdemeanor in Florida.

Repeat offenders or those with more severe cases may face enhanced charges. Some lobster offenses are classified higher – for instance, if you commit a “major violation” (like poaching far over the limit or doing so commercially without a license), you could be looking at a first-degree misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine) or even a felony if it falls under specific provisions.

As mentioned earlier, molesting a lobster trap is a third-degree felony, no matter if it’s your first time or not. A felony conviction can mean up to 5 years in state prison and a $5,000 fine, plus a felony record.

Enforcement officers have discretion in how to charge each incident. Often, if you have multiple illegal lobsters, they can charge each as a separate count. For example, someone caught with five undersized lobsters could face five misdemeanor counts.

Additionally, FWC violations can stack, and certain major wildlife violations in Florida law even carry mandatory minimum fines and mandatory court appearances (meaning you can’t just pay a ticket – you have to see a judge). In one real mini-season case, an out-of-town diver in the Keys was found with 16 lobsters, well over the limit – when officers approached, he allegedly tried to dump his catch bag underwater.

He was caught and cited for over-the-bag limit and interference with officers (the latter is a serious charge for trying to destroy evidence). These examples show that FWC and law enforcement will not hesitate to enforce the rules to protect the resource and public safety.

For boaters, note that violations like ignoring dive flags, reckless operation, or BUI can lead to separate citations or arrests outside of the wildlife rules. Mini-season being busy means a higher chance of getting caught for those, too.

And any wildlife violation or boating offense on your record could impact your future (including possibly having fishing licenses suspended for repeat wildlife offenses). In summary, follow the rules or you may find yourself in handcuffs or with a mandatory date in court.

As the FWC often reminds participants, “Ignorance is no excuse” – saying you didn’t know the rule won’t get you off the hook if you’re caught with illegal lobster. It’s far better to take the regulations seriously and enjoy the hunt without ending up on the wrong side of the law.

Enjoy the Lobster Season Legally

The Florida lobster mini-season is a beloved tradition – it’s two days of adventure, camaraderie, and the thrill of the hunt for “bugs.” By following these dos and don’ts, you can help ensure your mini-season experience is enjoyable, safe, and free of legal trouble.

Remember that the rules are there to protect not just you, but also the lobster population and the marine environment that makes this activity possible. Responsible harvesting means there will be plenty of lobsters to catch next year and the years after.

From a legal standpoint, it pays to be informed and cautious. A lobster dinner is not worth a criminal record. Most people who get cited during mini-season never intended to break the law – they often just didn’t realize a particular rule, or got careless in the excitement of the chase. Don’t let that be you.

Brush up on the regulations ahead of time, go out with a plan, and double-check your catch. If you are ever in doubt about something (size, location, method), err on the side of caution or look it up on the FWC resources.

And if, despite your best efforts, you do run into legal issues, such as receiving an FWC citation or being charged with a lobster-related offense, consult with Drew Sando, the leading attorney specializing in Florida fish and wildlife laws.

Stick to the dos and avoid the don’ts outlined here, and you’ll be doing your part to uphold the law and the conservation goals while enjoying one of Florida’s great outdoor traditions.

Good luck, catch responsibly, and may your cooler be filled with legal lobsters!