Florida Bass Fishing Regulations

A recreational freshwater fishing license is required to take bass in Florida. The season is yearlong, and an annual pass can be purchased by Florida residents for $17 at any county tax collector's office or most bait-and-tackle shops and sports retailers (expect an extra 50 cent surcharge). A five-year license costs $79. A recreational fishing license can also be purchased as part of a license combo including saltwater fishing and/or hunting. A Florida resident is defined as anyone living in Florida for six continuous months. A nonresident can purchase a three-day freshwater license for $17, a seven-day license for $30, or a 12-month license for $47.

The daily bag limit for largemouth bass (black bass) is five, and only one of these can be 22 inches in total length or greater. Black bass must be released immediately if under 14 inches in South and East Florida, or under 12 inches in the Suwannee River or points north or west. For striped bass, white bass and sunshine bass, the daily limit is 20 all together, of which six can be 24 inches in total length or greater. In the Suwannee, the bag limit for striped bass is three, all of which must be at least 18 inches in total length. The possession limit is two days bag limit for each licensed angler. Special bag and length limits apply in Fish Management Areas and certain lakes and rivers.

If you catch a largemouth bass 24 inches in length or 8 pounds in weight, or more, you qualify for FWC's Big Catch program. If you record the total length and have it verified by one other person, you can submit a Big Catch application and receive a full-color, personalized certificate illustrating the species of fish, with details about the catch, as well as an angler recognition decal. Reel in five "Big Catch" bass and qualify for recognition as a bass specialist. The certified state record bass was 17 pounds, 4 1/4 ounces, caught in Polk County in 1986.