If you love lobster, it doesn’t get much better than wild, fresh lobster. Not only are they delicious—turns out, they’re also fun to catch. So much fun, in fact that catching these tasty crustaceans is at the heart of one of the most anticipated summer traditions in the Florida Keys—lobster mini season.
Every year, the Florida Keys transform into a lobster hunters’ paradise, drawing thousands of boaters, divers, snorkelers and lobster lovers for a two-day celebration that combines sport, seafood, and summer island life. This year, Lobster Mini Season will be held July 29–30.
Open to both residents and non-residents, Florida mini lobster season is an experience like no other. If you’re joining the fun for the first time, you’re in for a treat. But there are a few things you need to know for a successful and safe season. Let’s get started!
When is Lobster Mini Season in the Florida Keys?
Also known as Sportsman or Sport Season, Lobster Mini Season is one of the most highly anticipated annual events in the Florida Keys.
Held annually in late July, it’s a long-standing tradition that gives recreational catchers first crack at the spiny lobster population before commercial fishing begins. It lasts exactly 48 hours, beginning at 12:01am on the last Wednesday of the month and ending at 12:00 midnight on Thursday. In 2026, the dates are July 29–30.
The short window adds to the excitement of the season. It also means you’ll be competing with hundreds of other lobster anglers trying to get their share of this year’s bounty. That’s why preparation, safety, and a clear understanding of the rules and regulations surrounding lobster mini season are essential for a successful trip.
What you need to know before mini lobster season
First things first. To participate in mini lobster season, you will need a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit. This rule applies to both residents and non-residents.
To avoid hefty fines, you need to know and follow to all lobster rules and regulations including daily bag limits, size restrictions and gear requirements.
What are rules and safety tips for catching spiny lobster?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission heavily monitors mini season, so it’s important that you know and understand the rules before you head out. Be aware that daily limits and size restrictions in Monroe County—which includes all of the Keys—differ from the rest of the state and are strictly enforced.
Size matters: To be legally harvested, a spiny lobster’s carapace (the main shell covering its body) must measure at least 3 inches. Lobsters must be measured in the water with a lobster gauge, before being placed in a catch bag. Divers must always carry a lobster gauge.
Follow the bag limit: The bag limit is six (no expectations). You are allowed to collect 6 lobsters per day. This limit applies in the Keys (Monroe County) and Biscayne National Park.
No night diving: Although nighttime lobster diving is legal during the regular season, it is not allowed during the mini season.
Safety Tips for Spiny Lobster Season
- Follow all Safe Boating practices: Don’t leave the dock without all the required boating safety gear—including life jackets.
- Know the closed areas before you go: No Take Zones or Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs) are off limits to lobstering and fishing. They are identified with yellow boundary buoys. You can download a free Marine Sanctuary Explorer app to locate SPAs.
- Always display a dive flag: Whenever divers are in the water, display a “diver-down” flag (red with a white diagonal stripe) at the highest point of the boat. Divers should stay within 300 feet of the vessel.
- Watch for dive flags: By law, you must maintain idle speed within 300 feet of boats displaying a dive flag.
- Protect the reef: Coral is completely off limits. That means you cannot touch or bump it, stand on it or anchor your boat to coral.
What gear is required for lobster mini season?
Chasing spiny lobster does not require a lot of gear. To build a basic lobster kit you will need the following:
- Short-handed net or lobster snare
- Tickle stick—used to coax the lobster out
- Lobster gauge—required for measuring your catch
- Mesh catch bag with a one-way door or spring-loaded lip so the lobsters cannot escape
- Heavy-duty gloves—to protect your hands from the lobster’s sharp spines
You may not use spears, hooks or traps to catch lobster during sport season.
Beyond the lobster kit, you’ll also want to have a cooler with ice for your catch, water, sunscreen, food and towels if you’re going out on a boat. It’s peak summer in July, so be sure you have gear to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated while out on the water.
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Ready to Get in on the Celebration?
Equal parts sport, tradition, and celebration, lobster mini season offers an unforgettable way to experience the Florida Keys' renowned island hospitality. Year after year, divers and snorkelers return for fresh lobster feasts, street parties, live music, and tropical nightlife, making the season as much about the experience as the catch itself.
Whether you're new to lobstering or a seasoned diver who has embraced the tradition for years, take time to review the regulations, brush up on safe boating practices, and understand dive flag requirements before heading out. A little preparation goes a long way toward ensuring a safe, legal, and memorable season on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ
Q: When is lobster mini season?
A: Lobster mini season is an annual event that is held on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. In 2026, it will take place July 29–30, 2026.
Q: What are regulations for the Florida lobster mini season?
A: During the Florida Keys lobster mini season, the daily limit is six lobsters. Lobsters must be measured while in the water and have a carapace bigger than 3 inches. Divers must have a valid Florida saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit. Night diving is not allowed.
Q: How do you catch spiny lobsters during mini season?
A: Spiny lobster like to hang out near rocky structures, reefs and patchy grasses. Look for their long, whip-like antennae sticking out from under ledges or between crevices.
Use a tickle stick to coax the lobster out of its hiding spot. Position a net behind the lobster as it emerges, then gently tap its head, so it swims backward into the net. Measure the carapace to make sure it’s over 3 inches before you put the lobster in your game bag.
