07/18/2026
Two-day lobster mini-season set for July 29, 30
Anyone who plans to participate in Monroe County during the two-day lobster mini-season on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and Thursday, July 30, 2026, should familiarize themselves with both state law and with local ordinances in the Florida Keys. Details and information can be found in the attached pamphlet and at www.keyslobterseason.com
The Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrols at boat ramps, bridges, and on the water. Anyone caught with illegal lobster will be charged accordingly. Deputies will be looking for safety and wildlife violations.
There will be more boats and trailers on the roadways and more traffic in general. Drive carefully. Pay attention to those around you. Be patient. Don’t pass in no-passing zones. Operating a boat while intoxicated is just as illegal as driving a car while intoxicated. Deputies will be watching for this dangerous behavior on the water as well as the roadways.
• Thieves view mini-season as an opportunity. Remove electronics, fishing, and diving gear from your boat and store valuable equipment somewhere secure.
• You must have a recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit to recreationally harvest lobsters unless you are exempt from recreational license requirements. Information is available at www.myfwc.com
• Rules and laws vary depending on where you are in the Florida Keys and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The website www.keyslobsterseason.com includes videos with safety tips and up-to-date regulations for lobster hunting within the Keys such as daily limits as well as correct harvesting techniques.
