“Mini-Season”, the two day sport season that gives a chance for recreational divers in Florida to take home some fresh lobster before the commercial fisheries cash in, will take place on July 29th and 30th, 2020 this year.
The recreational bag limit during mini-season is 12 per person per day. This bag limit applies to possession limit as well- on and off the water- and lobster must be brought to shore in whole condition. Separating the tail from the body is prohibited in Florida state waters.
Harvested lobster must have a carapace larger than 3 inches, and must be measured in the water. The carapace is measure beginning at the forward edge between the rostral horns, excluding any soft tissue, and proceeding along the middle to the rear edge of the carapace. For more information on how to measure a spiny lobster, go here: http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/fish-measurement/
2020 regular spiny lobster season dates are from August 6th to March 31st, and allow for licensed recreational divers to take home six lobsters per person per day.
A recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are required to harvest spiny lobster, which can be purchased here: http://myfwc.com/license/recreational/saltwater-fishing/
