Speckled Trout Size Limits By State
Most coastal states limit the size and number of speckled trout you can keep. However, some states have no maximum length limit. The average length of the fish must be between 14 and 22 inches long to be legal. So check your state’s regulations in this article for more information.
The following is a list of size restrictions on Speckled Trout in 12 coastal recreational saltwater states and the surrounding waters. The state fishing limits material is for personal use only and does not apply to commercial or guided fishing.
This article will cover:
- List of speckled trout bag and size limits
- Harvest limitations
- Oversize and trophy fish allowances
- Release citation size (where permitted)
- Prohibited fishing gear
- Season status
Alabama State Waters
- Daily Bag Limit: 6
- Minimum Length: 15 inches
- Maximum Length: 22 inches
- Trophy / Oversize Fish Allowed: 1 over 22 inches within daily bag
- Harvest Limitations: State waters only
Connecticut State Waters
- Daily Bag Limit: 1
- Minimum Length: 16 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
- Harvest Limitations: State waters only
Delaware State Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: No limit
- Minimum Length: 13 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
- Harvest Limitations: Hook and line only; State waters only
Florida, Atlantic State Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 5
- Minimum Length: 15 inches
- Maximum Length: 19 inches
- Trophy / Oversize Fish Allowed: Not Allowed
- Harvest Limitations: Keep whole; Rod & reel, cast nets only;
No spearing, multiple hooks
State waters only - Vessel Limit: zero bag for captain
Florida, Gulf Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 5
- Minimum Length: 15 inches
- Maximum Length: 19 inches
- Trophy / Oversize Fish Allowed: Not Allowed
- Harvest Limitations: No spearing, multiple hooks;
State waters only - Vessel Limit: zero bag for captain
Florida, South Atlantic Federal Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 2
- Minimum Length: 15 inches
- Maximum Length: 19 inches
- Harvest Limitations: No spearing, multiple hooks;
State waters only - Vessel Limit: zero bag for captain
Georgia State Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 15
- Minimum Length: 14 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
- Harvest Limitations: State waters only
Gulf Of Mexico, Federal Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 3
- Minimum Length: 15 inches
- Maximum Length: 19 inches
- Trophy / Oversize Fish Allowed: 1 over 19 inches within daily bag
- Harvest Limitations: No spearing, multiple hooks
- Vessel Limit: zero bag for captain
Louisiana State Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 25
- Minimum Length: 12 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
- Trophy / Oversize Fish Allowed: 2 over 25 inches within daily bag
- Harvest Limitations: State waters only
Maryland State Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 4
- Minimum Length: 14 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
- Trophy / Oversize Fish Allowed: Not Allowed
- Harvest Limitations: None
Mississippi State Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 15
- Minimum Length: 15 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
- Harvest Limitations: State waters only
North Carolina State Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 4
- Minimum Length: 14 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
- Harvest Limitations: State waters only
South Carolina State Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 10
- Minimum Length: 14 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
- Harvest Limitations: Rod & reel and gigging only;
- No gigging in December, January, and February;
State waters only
Texas State Waters (North of FM 457)
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 5
- Daily Posession Limit: 10
- Minimum Length: 15 inches
- Maximum Length: 25 inches
- Trophy / Oversize Fish Allowed: 1 over 25 inches within daily bag
- Harvest Limitations: State waters only;
From March 16, 2022 through Aug. 31, 2023 in Matagorda, San Antonio, Aransas,
Corpus Christi and Laguna Madre Bay Systems
(all beaches and bay fronts for the waters continuously south of FM 457) - Limit valid Sep. 1, 2022 through Aug. 31, 2023
Texas State Waters (South of FM 457)
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 3
- Daily Posession Limit: 3
- Minimum Length: 17 inches
- Maximum Length: 23 inches
- Trophy / Oversize Fish Allowed: Not Allowed
- Harvest Limitations: State waters only
- Limit valid Sep. 1, 2022 through Aug. 31, 2023
Virginia State Waters
- Season: Open
- Daily Bag Limit: 5
- Minimum Length: 14 inches
- Maximum Length: 24 inches
- Trophy / Oversize Fish Allowed: 1 over 24 inches within daily bag
- Release Citation Size: 5 lbs or 24 inches
- Harvest Limitations: Snagging Prohibited
Looking For Redfish Size Limits?
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the size limits for redfish in your state. This will ensure that you are following the law and don’t accidentally catch a fish that is too large. You can find size limits on redfish here, so be sure to check it out before your next fishing trip!
Conclusion
Knowing the size limits for speckled seatrout is important, as is being aware of when they’re in season. Make sure you check out our state-by-state guides to find out more information about each species of fish, including size limits and when they’re in season. And as always, happy fishing!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the speckled trout limits in Texas? You are allowed to catch 5 Texas speckled trout each day. They must be between 15 and 25 inches in size, but you can keep one fish that is over 25 inches.
- What are the speckled trout size limits in Florida? In Florida, you can legally catch two to five speckled trout each day, depending on where you fish. The fish must be between 15 and 19 inches long. You are not allowed to keep any oversized fish.
- What are the speckled trout limits in Louisiana? You can keep 25 Louisiana speckled trout each day. The trout must be 12 inches or larger, but no more than 25 inches in length. You are also allowed to keep 2 fish that are over 25 inches in length each day.
- What are the Mississippi speckled trout limits? In Mississippi, you may keep 15 speckled trout per day. The speckled fish must be at least 15 inches long.
- What are the Georgia speckled trout limits? In Georgia, the limit for speckled trout is 15 per day, and they must be at least 14 inches long.
- What are the North Carolina speckled trout limits? In North Carolina, you are allowed to catch and keep 4 trout per day. The trout must measure at least 14 inches long.
- What are the Alabama speckled trout limits? In Alabama, you are allotted 6 speckled trout per day measuring between 15 and 22 inches long. You can keep 1 additional trout longer than 22 inches.
