When are kingfish in Islamorada?
October to January. Big Dave lists kingfish as a top fish in October, November, December and January, and A Fishing Guru has them creeping back in October and November and in January. FWC says kings migrate from south Florida in winter northward in spring. In Monroe County the limit is 3 per person in Monroe County at 24 in FL.
The fish
NOAA says king mackerel grow fast, up to 5.5 feet and 100 pounds, live more than 20 years and hold in 115 to nearly 600 feet of water; FWC says they school and migrate from south Florida in winter northward in spring. The Florida record, 90 pounds, came from near Key West. The FDA lists king mackerel among the fish with the highest mercury levels, a choice to avoid.
When
Big Dave: October to January. A Fishing Guru: January, then creeping back in October and November. The Keys tourism council grades kingfish Peak in January, February, March, October, November and December. Snap ’Em Up and Shake N Bait both name king mackerel or kingfish among their targets.
Can you keep kingfish?
Every limit is on what fish you can keep.
| Rule | FWC, Keys state waters |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 24 in FL |
| Bag limit | 3 per person in Monroe County |
| Season | Open all year |
| Source | FWC: Kingfish (king mackerel) |
Which trip to book
Kings feed along the reef edge, so a half day can reach them in season ($700–$1,400 per boat in October 2026), and an offshore day adds sailfish and wahoo.
-
Snap 'Em Up Fishing Charters
5.0 Google · 71 reviews · read 4 October 2026
Lists king mackerel among its half-day targets with snapper, sailfish and blackfin.
Departs: IslaMarina
Check availability -
Shake N Bait
4.7 Google · 26 reviews · read 4 October 2026
Kingfish on its list of targets alongside mahi, sailfish and amberjack.
Departs: Whale Harbor Marina
Check availability
Google · 71 reviews · read 4 October 2026 Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: king mackerel profile ; NOAA Fisheries: king mackerel ; FDA: advice about eating fish .
Check it at the source
- FWC — Recreational saltwater fishing regulations Current state size limits, bag limits and seasons, species by species. Link checked 6 September 2026
- South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Federal management for snapper, grouper and reef species on the Atlantic side. Link checked 6 September 2026
Kingfish: questions
How many kingfish can you keep in Islamorada?
Three per person per day in Monroe County, at least 24 inches to the fork, under FWC’s rules.
Are kingfish good to eat?
NOAA calls the flavour rich and pronounced, but the FDA lists king mackerel as a choice to avoid because of its high mercury levels.
Next step
Looking for fishing trips in Islamorada?
Islamorada Charters Fishing is an independent guide — no boats, no bookings, nothing to sell. It exists so you can ask better questions before you hand an operator a deposit.
Islamorada Charters Fishing takes no bookings and earns nothing from a click. You book with the operator directly.