Yes, lobsters are found in Florida, but they are quite different from the large-clawed lobsters often associated with colder waters, such as those from Maine. Florida is home to the spiny lobster, a species that thrives in the state’s warm, tropical and subtropical marine environments. These crustaceans are a popular target for both recreational and commercial harvesting, contributing significantly to Florida’s marine economy and culture. The pursuit of these lobsters is governed by specific regulations and seasons, ensuring their populations remain sustainable.
Types of Lobster in Florida
The most common lobster found in Florida waters is the Caribbean spiny lobster, scientifically known as Panulirus argus. This species lacks the large, crushing claws characteristic of northern lobsters. Instead, they possess long, cylindrical bodies covered with forward-pointing spines, which provide defense against predators. Two prominent “horns” extend above their eyestalks, and they have long, whip-like antennae used for sensing their environment. Their coloration ranges from olive greenish to brown, often adorned with yellowish or cream-colored spots on their carapace and abdomen.
Spiny lobsters inhabit various marine environments, including coral reefs, rocky crevices, sponge flats, and seagrass beds throughout Florida and the wider Caribbean. They are nocturnal creatures, spending daylight hours hidden in sheltered areas and emerging after dark to forage for food. While the Caribbean spiny lobster is the main species, other less common types, such as slipper lobsters (e.g., Scyllarides aequinoctialis and Scyllarides nodifer), can also be found. These slipper lobsters have flatter, shovel-like antennae and a smoother carapace.
Florida Lobster Season and Regulations
Florida’s spiny lobster harvest is managed through two distinct seasons to promote sustainability. The recreational “mini-season” is a two-day event, held on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July each year. For 2025, this mini-season is scheduled for July 30th and 31st. During this brief period, the daily bag limit is six lobsters per person in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, while other areas of Florida allow a bag limit of 12 lobsters per person. Night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during this mini-season.
The regular lobster season begins on August 6th and extends through March 31st of the following year. During this eight-month period, the daily bag limit across all Florida waters is six lobsters per person. A recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit are required for all recreational harvesters, unless exempt. An annual spiny lobster permit costs $5.
All harvested lobsters must have a carapace length greater than three inches, and this measurement must be taken in the water before the lobster is removed. A measuring device is required to be carried by divers for this purpose. Lobsters must be landed in a whole condition; separating the tail from the body is prohibited while on the water. Additionally, egg-bearing female lobsters, identifiable by orange, yellow, brown, or red eggs on their underside, must be released unharmed.
Legal harvesting methods include tickle sticks, nets, snares, or catching them by hand. Prohibited gear includes spears, hooks, or any device that could puncture or crush the lobster’s exoskeleton. Divers must also display a dive flag when in the water, and harvesting is prohibited in certain protected areas like national parks and marine sanctuaries.