Spotted seatrout limits by state
Check before you keep a fish. These are statewide rules. Lakes, rivers and coastal zones often have their own limits, and rules can change during the year. Each state below has a link to its official rules.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
| State | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Spotted seatrout |
Statewide | 15" to 22" total length; 1 of the 6 may be over 22" | 6 | Open all year |
| Official source2 ADCNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Delaware Spotted seatrout |
Statewide | 12 in | No daily limit | All year |
| Secondary source: Delaware Fishing Guide (eRegulations edition) DNREC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Florida Spotted seatrout |
Panhandle | 15" to 19"; 1 over 19" per boat (or per person from shore), within the bag | 3 | Closed in February |
| Florida | Big Bend | 15" to 19"; 1 over 19" per boat (or per person from shore), within the bag | 5 | Open all year |
| Florida | Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast | 15" to 19"; 1 over 19" per boat (or per person from shore), within the bag | 3 | Open all year |
| Florida | Indian River Lagoon | 15" to 19"; none over 19" | 2 | Closed Nov 1 to Dec 31 |
| Florida | Northeast | 15" to 19"; none over 19" | 3 | Open all year |
| Official source FWC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Georgia Spotted seatrout |
Statewide | 14" minimum | 15 | Open all year |
| Official source Georgia DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Louisiana Spotted seatrout |
State waters | 13" to 20" | 15; no more than 2 over 20" | Year-round |
| Charter captain and crew limit is zero. Official source LDWF official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Maryland Spotted seatrout |
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries | 14" minimum | 4 | – |
| Secondary source: Maryland fishing guide 2026 (eRegulations) Maryland DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Mississippi Spotted seatrout (speckled trout) |
Statewide | 15" total length | 15 | – |
| Official source MDWFP official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| North Carolina Spotted seatrout |
Coastal and joint waters | 14" to 20"; 1 over 26" allowed | 3 | – |
| Official source NCWRC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| South Carolina Spotted seatrout |
Statewide | 14" minimum | 10 | – |
| Secondary source: South Carolina hunting and fishing regulations 2026-27 (eRegulations) SCDNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Texas Spotted seatrout |
Statewide | 15" to 20" | 3 | Open all year |
| One seatrout over 28" per license year with the spotted seatrout tag, plus one more with a bonus tag. Tagged fish don't count toward the bag. Official source TPWD official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Virginia Speckled trout (spotted seatrout) |
Virginia tidal waters | 14" minimum; only 1 of 24" or more | 5 | Closed April 1 to June 30, 2026 |
| The spring closure is set by VMRC and may change; check VMRC before fishing. Official source DWR / VMRC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||