When we checked on October 21, 2026, Florida’s state waters stone crab season had been open since Thursday, October 15, 2026, which made the check date day 7 of a 199-day season by our count. We read FWC’s stone crab regulations page. This page restates its season, claw size, bag and trap limits, and says plainly what our research did not cover.
The short version, checked October 21, 2026
Open October 15 to May 1, closed May 2. This season: October 15 through May 1, 2027. Claws at least 2 7/8 inches. Bag: 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less. Up to 5 traps per person.
Season dates
FWC lists the state waters season as open October 15 to May 1, closed on May 2. For this season that is Thursday, October 15, 2026 through Saturday, May 1, 2027, with the closure on Sunday, May 2, 2027. By our count the season is 199 days long, and 193 of them, counting the check date, remain.
- FWC lists the state waters stone crab season as open October 15 to May 1, closed on May 2. FWC: Stone Crab recreational regulations
Traps before the opener
FWC’s rules, as our season records carry them, say traps may go in the water 10 days before opening but may not be tended until October 15. For this season that put the earliest day to set traps at Monday, October 5, 2026, by our arithmetic. The rule is on the FWC stone crab page.
Claw size, bag and traps
- Claw minimum: 2 7/8 inches.
- Daily bag: 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less.
- Traps: up to 5 per person.
- FWC sets a stone crab claw minimum of 2 7/8 inches and a daily bag of 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less; up to 5 traps per person. FWC: Stone Crab recreational regulations
The whichever-is-less rule is the one to do the math on. With two people aboard, the two personal limits add up to exactly the 2-gallon vessel limit. With three or more aboard, the vessel limit is the one that applies, so a boat of four still stops at 2 gallons. That is our arithmetic on FWC’s numbers, not a separate rule.
FWC’s page is the rule book for how claws are taken and measured; we have restated just the limits it lists above. Our research did not record license rules specific to stone crab, so read the FWC page for what you need before you set a trap.
Stone crab and lobster overlap
The regular spiny lobster season, which FWC lists as August 6 to March 31, is open too. By our count both seasons are open together for 168 days this winter, from October 15 through March 31, 2027. After lobster closes, stone crab stays open 31 more days, through May 1. Our lobster season guide has the 2027 mini season dates and the Monroe County rules.
- 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
Weather in the opening weeks
The start of the season falls inside the Atlantic hurricane season, which NOAA’s National Hurricane Center says runs June 1 to November 30. By our count 47 days of this stone crab season, October 15 through November 30, fall inside it. If you are setting traps from a small boat in late October or November, watch the forecast.
- 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
On the water near the Village
The Village has its own boating rules. Its code prohibits operating a motorized vessel faster than four knots or with a wake in marked idle speed no wake zones, within 300 feet of a diver down flag, or within 300 feet of improved residential or commercial shorelines. Ordinance 22-05 adds a Slow Speed Minimum Wake zone in the Whale Harbor Wheel Ditch and sets a $250.00 civil penalty for violations.
- Village code prohibits operating a motorized vessel faster than four knots or with a wake in marked idle speed no wake zones, within 300 feet of a diver down flag, or within 300 feet of improved residential or commercial shorelines. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Ordinance No. 22-05 (vessel restricted areas)
- Ordinance 22-05 establishes a Slow Speed Minimum Wake zone in the Whale Harbor Wheel Ditch, mangrove fringe to mangrove fringe. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Ordinance No. 22-05 (vessel restricted areas)
- Ordinance 22-05 sets the civil penalty for a violation of these vessel rules at $250.00, enforced by uniform boating citation. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Ordinance No. 22-05 (vessel restricted areas)
Not trapping?
Our restaurants page lists places to eat in the Village. We do not say which ones serve stone crab claws, because our research did not record menus. The season and date checker shows whether stone crab is open on any date, and the fishing page has every FWC window we track.
Rules change, sometimes by executive order. Read the FWC page again before you go, and if this page and FWC disagree, follow FWC.
Stone crab 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)
