Mini season was 280 days away when we checked on October 21, 2026, but FWC has already posted the 2027 dates, and some pages that rank for the search still show older years. We read FWC’s spiny lobster regulations page and restate what it lists for Monroe County, which takes in Islamorada, plus the one line FWC has not updated yet.
The short version, checked October 21, 2026
Sport season: Wednesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 29, 2027. Monroe County bag: 6 per person per day. No night diving for lobster in Monroe County during the sport season. No harvest in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during the sport season. Regular season: August 6 to March 31, 6 per person. License plus lobster permit unless exempt.
The 2027 dates
FWC lists the 2027 sport season as July 28 to 29, 2027, for residents and non-residents. Its rule is the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July, and our calendar check agrees: July 28, 2027 is the last Wednesday of July 2027, and Thursday, July 29 is still in July.
- FWC lists the 2027 spiny lobster sport season as July 28 to 29, 2027 (the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July), for residents and non-residents. FWC: Spiny Lobster recreational regulations
Spiny lobster two-day sport season (mini season)
Organiser date for 2027FWC two-day recreational lobster season before the regular season opens August 6.
Season: July 28-29, 2027 (last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July each year)
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: FWC: Spiny Lobster recreational regulations, checked 2026-10-21
One line on the same FWC page has not caught up. Its off-the-water possession rule still names the 2026 sport season dates beside the 2027 season. We mark the 2027 possession dates as not confirmed; check FWC before the season rather than relying on that line.
- FWC's lobster page lists the 2027 sport season as July 28 to 29, 2027, but its off-the-water possession line still names July 29 and July 30, 2026. Check FWC before the season for the 2027 possession dates. FWC: Spiny Lobster recreational regulations
Monroe County rules during the sport season
FWC sets these for the two days, as its page lists them:
- Bag limit: 6 per person per day in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, compared with 12 per person elsewhere in Florida.
- Night diving: diving for lobster at night is prohibited in Monroe County during the sport season.
- John Pennekamp: no lobster harvest in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during the sport season.
- Sanctuary no-take areas: no lobster harvest at any time in the no-take areas of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
- During the sport season FWC sets the daily bag limit at 6 per person for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, 12 per person elsewhere in Florida. FWC: Spiny Lobster recreational regulations
- FWC prohibits night diving for lobster in Monroe County only during the sport season. FWC: Spiny Lobster recreational regulations
- FWC says lobster harvest is prohibited at all times in no-take areas of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during the sport season. FWC: Spiny Lobster recreational regulations
The sanctuary line matters off Islamorada. NOAA’s rules for Sanctuary Preservation Areas prohibit fishing by any means and removing or possessing marine life, and Alligator Reef, Cheeca Rocks and Hen and Chickens are all SPAs. Our guide to the 2027 SPA anchoring ban covers what changes at those reefs next year.
- In Sanctuary Preservation Areas, diving, snorkeling and boating are allowed, but fishing by any means, removing or possessing marine life, touching or standing on coral, and anchoring on coral or when a mooring buoy is available are prohibited. NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: Sanctuary Preservation Areas
The regular season
FWC lists the regular season as August 6 to March 31, with a daily bag limit of 6 per person. When we checked on October 21, 2026 it was open, with 162 days left through Wednesday, March 31, 2027, counting the check date. After mini season ends on Thursday, July 29, the regular season opens eight days later, on Friday, August 6, 2027.
- FWC lists the regular spiny lobster season as August 6 to March 31, with a daily bag limit of 6 per person. FWC: Spiny Lobster recreational regulations
Size, gear and licenses
FWC requires a carapace larger than 3 inches, measured in the water, and you must carry a measuring device at all times. Lobster must be landed whole. You need a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit unless you are exempt, and youth under 16 are exempt from both.
- FWC requires a lobster carapace larger than 3 inches, measured in the water, and a measuring device at all times. FWC: Spiny Lobster recreational regulations
- FWC requires a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit, unless exempt, and lobster must be landed whole. FWC: Spiny Lobster recreational regulations
- FWC exempts youth under 16 from recreational fishing licenses and snook and lobster permits. FWC: Do I need a license or permit?
FWC lists the spiny lobster permit at $5.00 a year, in addition to a saltwater license. Non-resident saltwater licenses are $47.00 annual, $17.00 for 3 days and $30.00 for 7 days. By our arithmetic, a visitor on a 3-day license plus the permit pays $22.00, and on a 7-day license $35.00. Those are FWC’s listed prices; check the license page for what you will be charged.
- FWC lists a snook permit at $10.00 a year and a spiny lobster permit at $5.00 a year, both in addition to a saltwater license. FWC: Recreational Saltwater Licenses & Permits
- FWC lists non-resident saltwater fishing licenses at $47.00 annual, $17.00 for 3 days and $30.00 for 7 days. FWC: Recreational Saltwater Licenses & Permits
Planning around late July
The sport season falls inside the Atlantic hurricane season, which NOAA’s National Hurricane Center says runs June 1 to November 30. Keep a weather day in mind if you are booking a boat for July 28. The season and date checker shows which harvest windows are open on any date, the fishing page lists every FWC season we track, and the snorkeling and diving page covers the reefs.
- For the Keys, the season to plan around is the Atlantic hurricane season: June 1 through November 30 every year, as NOAA's National Hurricane Center defines it. NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Climatology
Rules change, sometimes by executive order. Read the FWC page again before you go, and if this page and FWC disagree, follow FWC. FWC’s page is the rule book; this page restates it as of October 21, 2026.
Lobster season questions
Why is Islamorada called the Sportfishing Capital of the World?
The Village says Islamorada is "known by many as the sportfishing capital of the world" and has perhaps the world's highest density of professional offshore charter boats.
Source: Islamorada, Village of Islands: Why Islamorada Matters
Does the Florida Keys tourism council use the sportfishing capital name too?
Yes. The tourism council calls Islamorada "the Sport Fishing Capital of the World," with tarpon, bonefish and sailfish among its draws.
Source: Florida Keys tourism council (visitfloridakeys.com, fla-keys.com redirects here): Islamorada
How much does it cost to feed the tarpon at Robbie's?
Robbie's posts admission at $2.50 per person and $5 per bucket of fish. The tarpon dock is open daily 7 am to 9 pm.
What is a Sanctuary Preservation Area?
NOAA says SPAs protect shallow reefs; there are 17 in the sanctuary covering about 12 square miles. Diving, snorkeling and boating are allowed, but fishing and collecting are not.
Source: NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: Sanctuary Preservation Areas
When is lobster mini season in 2027?
FWC lists the 2027 sport season as July 28 to 29, 2027, the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July.
What is the lobster limit in the Keys during mini season?
FWC sets 6 per person per day in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park during the sport season. Night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during the sport season.
When is regular lobster season?
FWC lists August 6 to March 31, with a daily bag limit of 6 per person.
What do I need to catch lobster?
FWC requires a saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit unless exempt, a measuring device, and a carapace larger than 3 inches measured in the water. Lobster must be landed whole.
When is stone crab season?
FWC lists the state waters season as open October 15 to May 1, closed on May 2.
What are the stone crab claw limits?
FWC sets a 2 7/8 inch claw minimum and 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less.
When is snook season in the Florida Keys?
FWC puts the Keys in its Southwest snook region, closed December 1 to the end of February and May 1 to September 30. The slot is 28 to 33 inches, 1 per person per day.
Do I need a snook permit?
Yes. FWC requires a snook permit plus a recreational fishing license, including from shore.
Which grouper rules apply in Islamorada?
FWC applies its Atlantic grouper rules to all state waters of Monroe County. Black, red and most shallow-water groupers are open May 1 to December 31.
When is gag grouper open on the Atlantic side?
FWC lists May 1 to August 1, and an executive order closed Atlantic state waters starting August 2.
When can I keep hogfish in the Keys?
FWC says Atlantic rules, which include the Florida Keys, allow hogfish May 1 to October 31, 16 inch fork length minimum, 1 per harvester.
Is mutton snapper open year-round?
FWC lists Atlantic mutton snapper as open year-round, 18 inch total length minimum, 5 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate.
What are the mahi (dolphinfish) limits?
FWC lists Atlantic state waters rules as a 20 inch fork length minimum and 5 per person or 30 per vessel, whichever is less.
Can I keep a tarpon?
FWC says tarpon is catch-and-release only. One tarpon tag per person per year may be bought when pursuing a state or world record.
Can I take a big tarpon out of the water for a photo?
FWC says tarpon over 40 inches must remain in the water unless you are pursuing a record with a tarpon tag.
How much is a tarpon tag?
FWC lists the annual tag at $51.50, available at tax collector's offices only.
Can I keep bonefish?
No. FWC says bonefish became a catch-and-release only fishery on September 1, 2013.
Source: FWC: Bonefish
When is the best bonefish season?
FWC says bonefish can be caught year-round in the Keys, with peak season generally March through October.
Source: FWC: Bonefish
How much is a non-resident saltwater fishing license?
FWC lists $47.00 annual, $17.00 for 3 days and $30.00 for 7 days.
Do I need a license to fish from shore or a bridge?
FWC says you need a license if you cast a line, even for catch and release. Its no-cost shoreline-only license is listed as a resident license.
Do I need my own license on a fishing charter?
FWC exempts anglers fishing from a for-hire vessel (guide, charter, party boat) with a valid charter license.
Do kids need a fishing license?
FWC exempts youth under 16 from recreational fishing licenses and snook and lobster permits.
What is the State Reef Fish Angler designation?
FWC requires this no-cost designation for anglers 16 and older fishing from a private vessel for certain reef fish, including mutton and yellowtail snapper, hogfish and several groupers.
Source: FWC: State Reef Fish Survey
When is the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament?
The organizer says the 63rd tournament fishes December 5 and 6, 2026, with festivities starting December 4.
When is the Fish for Holly Sailfish Tournament?
Fish for Holly says its 9th annual tournament is January 8 to 9, 2027 at Islander Resort, Islamorada.
What other sailfish tournaments are in the Gold Cup?
The tournament site lists the Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament on January 20, 2027 and the Cheeca Lodge Presidential on January 23 and 24, 2027.
Written by the Islamorada Guide Editorial Team. Some content may be AI-generated. People check every fact before it publishes.
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: Village of Islamorada (official site)
