Top fish species at Port Canaveral

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Port Canaveral fishing reports

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Southern puffer

length · weight

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Summer flounder

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Common remora

24 in · 3 lb

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Spotted seatrout

length · weight

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Sandbar shark

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Atlantic stingray

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General info

Port Canaveral is a part of an ocean located in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Northern red snapper, Common dolphinfish, and King mackerel.

Location

28°35′8.2″N 79°57′46.4″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Port Canaveral, FL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Florida can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season closed: October 23 - December 31
Northern red snapper

Northern red snapper

Regulation boundarySouth Atlantic Federal Waters FL
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit10

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Special gear

Reef Fish Gear

Allowable gear includes vertical hook-and-line, including hand line and bandit gear, and spearfishing gear without rebreathers. When fishing for or possessing snapper grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic, the following regulations apply: (1) Use of a dehooking tool is required. (2) The use of non-stainless steel hooks is required when using hook-and-line gear with natural baits. In waters North of 28-degrees N. latitude, the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks is required when fishing for snapper grouper species using hook-and-line gear with natural baits. (3) A descending device is required on board all vessels and must be readily available for use (attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet of line). See below for more details.

Restrictions & requirements

Descending Device

A descending device is required on board all vessels fishing for or possessing snapper and grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic. The descending device must be readily available for use and attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet of line.

FL Reporting Requirements

Anglers 16 and older MUST declare fishing trips in the web-based FWC Atlantic Red Snapper Reporting System prior to leaving the dock and are encouraged to report fishing data post-trip. If you are a paying customer on a for-hire fishing trip, you do not need to declare a trip. Anglers are encouraged to report fishing data post-trip.

Required licenses
Anglers intending to land this species in Florida are required to sign up as a Florida State Reef Fish Angler if they fish from a private recreational boat and are 16 years of age and older. To sign up, call 1-888-347-4356.
Additional information
Reporting Requirements: Each angler intending on harvesting red snapper MUST declare each red snapper fishing trip in the web-based FWC Atlantic Red Snapper Reporting System. Upon completion of the fishing trip, anglers are recommended (but not required) to report catch data. 10 Snapper Grouper Aggregate Bag Limit: Angler can only harvesting 10 reef fish within the snapper grouper aggregate bag limit when fishing on a declared red snapper fishing trips. Aggregate includes:Only 1 fish can be a red snapperOnly 1 fish can be a gag, black, or scamp grouperUp to 2 fish can be a red, yellowfin, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind, or rock hind grouperOnly 1 fish can be a red porgy, blueline tilefish, or golden tilefishOnly 1 fish can be a greater amberjackUp to 2 fish can be black seabassUp to 5 fish can be gray triggerfishUp to 7 fish can be a schoolmaster, gray, lane, yellowtail, queen, silk, or blackfin snapperUp to 5 fish can be a vermilion or mutton snapperUp to 2 fish can be a cubera snapper if each measures 30 inches or longer in total length All fish, excluding red snapper, must follow current state and federal seasons, size limits, and vessel limits.Gag, red porgy, blueline and goldtilefish are out of season and CANNOT be harvested. Anglers will be required to stop bottom fishing for reef fish once the aggregate bag limit is reached. Visit MyFWC.com/AtlanticRedSnapper for additional regulations for Florida's Atlantic recreational red snapper season.
Edibility
Excellent, but may contain ciguatera toxin.
Synonyms
Lutjanus campechanus
Season open: year-round
Common dolphinfish

Common dolphinfish

Regulation boundarySouth Atlantic Federal Waters
Bag limit10

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size20" (Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Vessel limit54

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Additional information
Effective May 2nd 2022, the recreational vessel limit for dolphin is 54 fish (excluding headboats). The 10 dolphin per person per day recreational bag limit will remain unchanged for all recreational vessels (private, charter vessels, and headboats). See Fishery Bulletin Must be landed with head and fins intact.Minimum size limit only applies in waters off Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.If you are bringing fish back to the U.S. from the Bahamas by water, please see Bringing fish back from the Bahamas. ----------Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats: -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that fish. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in state waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters but open in state waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that species. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in state waters but open to harvest in federal waters, they may retain that fish if they do not stop to fish in state waters when returning to port. All gear must be stowed. For more information on management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries.
Edibility
Excellent, and they are considered a very sustainable fishery. Catch, Clean, Cook Mahi Mahi by DMFD
Synonyms
Coryphaena hippurus, dorado, mahi mahi
Season open: year-round
King mackerel

King mackerel

Regulation boundarySouth Atlantic Federal Waters
Bag limit3

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size24" (Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Additional information
Allowed to keep cut-off (damaged) Atlantic king mackerel caught under the recreational bag limit and complies with the minimum size limits. A person who is on a trip that spans more than 24 hours may possess no more than two daily bag limits, provided: such trip is aboard a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat; the vessel has two licensed operators aboard; and each passenger is issued and has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel that verifies the length of the trip. ----------Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats: -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that fish. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in state waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters but open in state waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that species. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in state waters but open to harvest in federal waters, they may retain that fish if they do not stop to fish in state waters when returning to port. All gear must be stowed. For more information on management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries. To see commercial regulations, download Fish Rules Commercial App for iOS devices or Android devices.
Edibility
Very good, but may contain elevated mercury levels. Watch Deer Meat for Dinner's Kingfish Catch, Clean, Cook. It's very good!
Synonyms
Scomberomorus cavalla, Smoker, kingfish
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Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Reviews of Port Canaveral

4.8
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39 ratings

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1
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FAQ about Port Canaveral fishing

📍 Where is Port Canaveral located?
Port Canaveral is a part of an ocean located in Brevard County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
28°35′8.2″N 79°57′46.4″W
.
🎣 Where on Port Canaveral is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Port Canaveral by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Port Canaveral?
The most common species in Port Canaveral are:
📢 What are the latest Port Canaveral fishing reports?
The latest Port Canaveral fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Port Canaveral right now?
According to fishing regulations at Port Canaveral, some of the species in season this November include: Common snook, Red grouper, Fat snook, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Greater amberjack. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Port Canaveral?

Fishing in Florida requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Freshwater, saltwater, or combination licenses are available for residents and visitors, purchasable online, by phone, or at authorized retailers.

In Florida, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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