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2020 Lobster Season Guide Miami

Lobster Season Guide for a Successful Hunt in Miami

The Lobster Mini Season in Miami will officially begin at 12:01 am on Wednesday, July 29, and ends at midnight on Thursday, July 30. The regular 8-month lobster season will start on August 6 and runs through March 31, 2021. This year is forecast to be very active, with more permits sold than last year, and excellent weather conditions. Before you head out on the water, review our guide below to ensure a safe and successful bug hunt!

Remember- Safety First

There is always a risk associated with scuba diving, especially during the lobster mini-season. With thousands of recreational boaters on the water at once, make sure to have your dive flag visible, bring a spotter, and keep your eyes and ears open. The 2020 Lobster Season will see more divers on the water than in the past with a 9% increase in permits sold vs. last year. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 176,190 resident lobster permits and 41,509 non-resident lobster permits sold this year.

Know Your Limitations

During the mini-season, recreational divers and snorkelers can take a maximum of twelve lobsters per person per day in Broward and Miami Dade Counties except for Biscayne National Park, where you can only take six. In the primary lobster season, one can take a maximum of six lobsters per person per day.

See the official Lobster Season rules.

Size Does Matter

It is important to remember the lobster’s body excluding the tail should be larger than 3″, measured in the water. One should carry a measuring device at all times. Possession limits are strictly enforced on and off the water. Also, be sure to check to see if the lobster is pregnant. You can see visible orange eggs on the bottom of the tail. Be sure to leave these bugs for future generations to grow. 

Buy a Spiny Lobster Permit

You must have a recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit to participate in Lobster Season. To acquire these items, one can easily pick them from a local Publix Supermarket or online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The process is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete.

Purchase the Correct Lobster Catching Equipment

There is nothing more frustrating than malfunctioning equipment during a dive. From a leaking mask to a broken regulator, make sure to have your gear tested and prepped for this season. There are many specialty lobster catching equipment you can purchase online or at a dive shop. These items can include an underwater measuring stick, tickle stick, a net, noose, and lobster bag. 

View our blog post on the best lobster catching equipment to purchase, click here.

For more information about the 2020 Lobster Season in Miami, please call us at 786-728-9988 or click here.