When is 2010-2011 Lobster in the Florida Keys?
What gear do I need?
Do I need a fishing license?
How much does it cost?
How many lobster can I take?
How big do they have to be?
How do I measure them?
What are the rules for displaying the DIVER DOWN flag?
Are there areas that are "off limits" for taking lobster?
Can I hunt for lobster at night
DOWNLOAD brochure of info
Helpful Links
When does the 2010 Recreational Lobster Season start ?
Opens Friday August 6th and runs through March 31st 2011.
What gear do I need?
hunting gear
- tickle stick, measuring device, gloves, a bag to hold your catch
dive flag. Display this any time snorkelers or divers are in the water.
snorkel or dive gear.
If you're snorkeling, you'll need a mask, snorkel and fins. Free divers often wear a weight belt with just a couple pounds of weight.
Divers, you'll need mask, fins and snorkel plus buoyancy compensator device (BCD), regulator, pressure gauge, depth gauge, weight belt, tanks and weights.
If you haven’t been diving in a while, be sure to dust off your gear and check it.
Too much trouble? We rent everything
GOT AIR???
If you're using your own tanks, remember that you must have a "C card" (divers certification) to get air fills. Also, your tanks must be current on their annual visual inspection and hydrostatic testing (every 5 years). Need air fills or tank inspections?
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. You'll need a saltwater fishing license with a lobster permit. Fee information. You can purchase your license online. For info on who's exempt from license fees, click here
How many lobster can I take?
You may take six lobster per day.
How big do they have to be?
Lobster must be greater than 3 inches measured at the carapace. You must measure your catch while in the water. Your lobster must stay whole while on the water - don't wring the heads until you're back on land.
How do I measure my lobster?
Carry a measuring device in the water with you (required). Measure from the notch between the antennae to the joint where the tail meets the hard body. Click here for more info.
Are there places where I can't take lobster?
See page 2 of the BROCHURE for a list of areas that are off-limits during mini-season.
Can I hunt lobster at night?
Yes.
Page Top
Rules for displaying diver down flag click here. Don't be a statistic! Every year, divers are struck by boats during lobster mini-season. ALWAYS display a flag while in the water (snorkelers too.) then stay within 300 ft of your flag (within 100 ft if you're in an inlet or channel.)
DOWNLOAD a brochure with a summary of 2010 Lobster Season information.
SALTWATER FISHING |
Resident Saltwater Fishing Licenses |
| How to order |
|
|
|
Annual |
Five-Year |
Gold Sportsman's License (includes Hunting, Saltwater Fishing and Freshwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster Permits) |
$100.00 |
|
Military Gold Sportsman's License (includes Hunting, Saltwater Fishing and Freshwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster Permits) (sold only at tax collector's office) |
$20.00 |
|
Annual Saltwater Fishing |
$17.00 |
$79.00 |
Saltwater/Freshwater Fishing Combo |
$32.50 |
|
Saltwater/Freshwater Fishing/Hunting Combo |
$48.00 |
|
|
Nonresident Saltwater Fishing Licenses |
|
|
|
Nonresident Annual Saltwater Fishing |
$47.00 |
|
Nonresident 3-Day Saltwater Fishing |
$17.00 |
|
Nonresident 7-Day Saltwater Fishing |
$30.00 |
|
|
Saltwater Fishing Permits (Resident and Nonresident)
If you are not required to buy a license, you are not required to buy permits (except tarpon) |
|
Annual |
Five-Year
Residents Only |
Snook Permit |
$2.00 |
$10.00 |
Lobster Permit |
$2.00 |
$10.00 |
Tarpon Tag |
$51.50 |
|
Helpful Links
The Weather Channel 
Local land forecast, use zip code 33042
www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/boatandbeach/local/33042
Local boating forecast
General forecast
www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/boatandbeach/weather/tenday/33042
Inshore weather forecast
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/boatandbeach/nearshoreforecast/33042?zoneId=GMZ054
Sombrero Key Buoy Observation
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/boatandbeach/buoy/33042?stationId=SMKF1
Wondering about BIG storms? Try these hurricane information sites
Get the forecast
www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/
See for yourself
www.weather.com/maps/maptype/satelliteworld/tropicalatlanticsatellite_large.html
Weather Underground 
For the local land forecast, use zip code 33042
www.weatherunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=33042
For a great radar view
www.weatherunderground.com/radar/radblast.asp?ID=BYX®ion=d5&lat=24.66126060&lon=-81.47760010&label=Summerland%20Key%2c%20FL
Key West Weather
Key West Radar
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ridge/radar_lite.php?rid=byx&product=N0R&loop=yes
Florida Keys Average Climate Info
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/eyw/HTML/climate/eywclimate.html
Other Sources
For a great collection of hurricane information
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/herbwx/hurrican.html
updated 7/19/2010
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Florida Keys Lobster FAQ's