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Boot Key Harbor

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Florida, United States

4.2·89 catches

Top fish species at Boot Key Harbor

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Boot Key Harbor fishing reports

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Atlantic goliath grouper

length · weight

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Yellowtail snapper

12 in · 1 lb

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Schoolmaster snapper

length · weight

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Tarpon

length · weight

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Sergeant-major

length · weight

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Yellowfin mojarra

length · weight

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General info

Boot Key Harbor is a part of an ocean located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Mangrove snapper, Nurse shark, and Great barracuda.

Location

24°42′28″N 81°05′26.7″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Boot Key Harbor, 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 open: year-round
Mangrove snapper

Mangrove snapper

Regulation boundaryFL Atlantic State Waters
Bag limit5

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 size10" (Total Length)

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

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit10

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

Special gear

Dehooking

Dehooking device use required as needed.

Restrictions & requirements

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

Descending Device/Venting Tool

Descending device or venting tool rigged and ready is required when fishing for reef fish, and use such device if releasing a fish that suffers from barotrauma. Get descending device gear for FREE by completing a 15-minute training from Return 'Em Right. Get started here: returnemright.org

Additional information
This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.
Edibility
Excellent. Here's a fun and tasty mangrove snapper Catch, Clean, Cook by Deer Meat for Dinner!
Synonyms
Lutjanus griseus, Mangrove Snapper
Season open: year-round
Nurse shark

Nurse shark

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters
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.

Min size54" (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.

Aggregate limit1

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

Vessel limit2

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

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Multiple Hooks

Harvest of this species by or with the use of any multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited.

Additional information
Hook and line gear only. 1 shark per harvester or 2 sharks per vessel, whichever is less. Must be Landed in Whole Condition – A person harvesting a shark shall land each shark in whole condition. A person may NOT possess in or on Florida Waters, on any public or private fishing pier, or on a bridge or catwalk attached to a bridge from which fishing is allowed, a shark that has been beheaded, sliced, divided, filleted, ground, skinned, finned, or had the caudal fin (tail) removed. This provision will not be construed to prohibit the evisceration (gutting) of a shark or slicing the base of the caudal fin to bleed the carcass as long as the caudal fin remains attached. Please consider releasing all shark species.
Synonyms
Ginglymostoma cirratum
Season open: year-round
Great barracuda

Great barracuda

Regulation boundaryFL Barracuda
Bag limit2

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 size15" (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.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 36

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

Vessel limit6

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

Additional information
These regulations apply in state and federal waters from Martin County to Collier County (Including Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Martin counties).Slot Limit: 15-36" fork length with 1 fish greater than 36" per person or vessel per dayDaily Bag Limit: 2 fish per person, 6 per vesselNo closed season.
Edibility
Small to medium barracuda are very good, but large individuals may contain ciguatera toxin and elevated mercury levels. Check out BlueGabe's Great Barracuda catch, clean, cook.
Synonyms
Kaku, Sphyraena barracuda
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Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Reviews of Boot Key Harbor

4.2
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18 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Marathon

3.6 miles away

Key Colony Beach

4.5 miles away

Duck Key

12.0 miles away

Big Pine Key

17.4 miles away

Layton

19.2 miles away

Cudjoe Key

25.7 miles away

Big Coppitt Key

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Tavernier

42.1 miles away

Key West

44.2 miles away

Key Largo

51.3 miles away

North Key Largo

61.2 miles away

Florida City

63.9 miles away

Homestead

66.1 miles away

Leisure City

68.0 miles away

Homestead Base

69.7 miles away

Naranja

69.8 miles away

Princeton

72.0 miles away

Goulds

73.5 miles away

Richmond West

74.8 miles away

South Miami Heights

75.1 miles away

Country Walk

75.9 miles away

Cutler Bay

76.4 miles away

Three Lakes

77.6 miles away

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FAQ about Boot Key Harbor fishing

📍 Where is Boot Key Harbor located?
Boot Key Harbor is a part of an ocean located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
24°42′28″N 81°05′26.7″W
.
🎣 Where on Boot Key Harbor is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Boot Key Harbor 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 Boot Key Harbor?
The most common species in Boot Key Harbor are:
📢 What are the latest Boot Key Harbor fishing reports?
The latest Boot Key Harbor fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Boot Key Harbor right now?
According to fishing regulations at Boot Key Harbor, some of the species in season this October include: Common snook, Red grouper, Fat snook, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Permit. 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 Boot Key Harbor?

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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