What's Biting FL
Treasure Coast

Hogfish in Treasure Coast

Hogfish
Lachnolaimus maximus · Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0

Spearfishing on reefs, or live shrimp on light bottom rigs. Seasons and sizes differ between the Keys and the Gulf.

Next seven days

DayBiteWhy
Fri, Oct 307Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Strong tide swing 2.0 ft
Sat, Oct 315Breezy 20 mph. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky
Sun, Nov 14Breezy 20 mph. Rain likely 84%. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Harvest closed in: Atlantic State Waters, Atlantic federal waters (catch and release)
Mon, Nov 25Rain likely 80%. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Harvest closed in: Atlantic State Waters, Atlantic federal waters (catch and release)
Tue, Nov 36Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Harvest closed in: Atlantic State Waters, Atlantic federal waters (catch and release)
Wed, Nov 46Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Harvest closed in: Atlantic State Waters, Atlantic federal waters (catch and release)
Thu, Nov 56Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Harvest closed in: Atlantic State Waters, Atlantic federal waters (catch and release)

Seasonal pattern

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Editorial baseline for Florida. Green months are prime, yellow fair, red slow. Preferred water temperature 65–85°F.

Regulations that apply here

Applies to: state and adjacent federal waters · Licenses: State Reef Fish Angler designation required for anglers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida who intend to fish for or harvest certain reef fish from a private vessel, renew annually

Species / zoneSeasonSizeBagNotes
Hogfish
Atlantic State Waters
boundaryincludes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable, including the Florida Keys
open now
Open May 1-Oct. 31
16" fork length1 per harvesterLegal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net. Reef fish gear requirements apply. In the Atlantic reef fish fishery, gear rules require dehooking tools, and as of Jan. 1, 2021, non-stainless steel hooks in all state waters, and non-offset circle hooks N. of 28 ° N. latitude. Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Hogfish
Atlantic federal waters
open now
Open May 1-Oct. 31 annually
16-inch minimum size limit1-fish/person recreational bag limit

Source: FWC, extracted 2026-10-29.

See all Hogfish rules statewide.