Mutton Snapper in Islamorada

The big snapper on the Islamorada reef: up to 25 pounds, harder to fool than yellowtail, and found on the reef and wrecks summer or winter.

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When can you catch mutton snapper in Islamorada?

Through the year. Robbie’s says its reef spots hold mutton snapper summer or winter, and A Fishing Guru’s month guide lists muttons in June, September and December. FWC says they spawn in July and August. The limit is 5 per person at 18 in TL, inside the 10-snapper total.

A mutton snapper

The fish

The Florida Museum gives an average length of 20 inches and a maximum age of 40 years; FWC puts them at up to 30 inches and 25 pounds, feeding on fish, crustaceans and snails near structure in coastal water. The Florida record, 30 lb 4 oz, came from near the Dry Tortugas.

When and where

Robbie’s reef spots hold muttons summer or winter, and A Fishing Guru lists them in June, September and December. The Keys tourism council grades mutton snapper Peak in April, May, June, November and December. They come from the reef and the wrecks outside it, in 100 to 200 feet, Bud N’ Mary’s says.

Can you keep mutton snapper?

Every limit is on what fish you can keep.

Florida state-water rules as they apply in the Keys, Islamorada included, read on FWC’s page on 6 October 2026. FWC changes these; its page is the final word.
RuleFWC, Keys state waters
Minimum size18 in TL
Bag limit5, within the 10-snapper total
SeasonOpen all year
SourceFWC: Mutton snapper

Which trip to book

A reef and wreck trip of four to six hours: Snap ’Em Up’s six-hour reef and wreck trip was $1,200 and its eight-hour trip $1,400 in October 2026.

Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: mutton snapper profile ; Florida Museum: mutton snapper ; Robbie’s: reef and wreck fishing .

Check it at the source

Mutton snapper: questions

What is the size limit for mutton snapper in Florida?

18 inches total length, five per person within the 10-snapper aggregate, open all year in Keys state waters under FWC’s rules.

How big do mutton snapper get?

FWC says up to 30 inches and 25 pounds; the Florida Museum gives an average of 20 inches. The Florida record is 30 lb 4 oz.

Next step

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