Snook in Islamorada

Snook are where Islamorada’s fishing parts company with Key West’s. They live along the mangroves of Florida Bay and the Everglades, behind the islands.

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When can you catch snook in Islamorada?

Much of the year, in the Florida Bay backcountry. The Keys tourism council grades snook Good from January to March and Peak from April to December, A Fishing Guru lists them among the most active inshore fish in every season, and Bud N’ Mary’s calls fall and winter a favourite. Keeping one is limited to a 28 to 33 inch slot, outside closed months.

The fish

FWC says common snook reach up to 48 inches and 50 pounds, live inshore along mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds and structure, face into moving water waiting for food to drift to them, and cannot tolerate water below 60°F. The Florida Museum says they can live about 20 years. FWC calls them excellent table fare.

Why snook are an Islamorada fish

Snook barely feature on a Key West fishing calendar, but they are a core target in Islamorada’s backcountry. The Keys tourism council grades snook Good in January, February and March and Peak in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. A Fishing Guru counts them among the most active inshore fish in every season, Robbie’s backcountry trips target redfish, snook and trout, and Bud N’ Mary’s calls fall and winter a favourite for snook behind the bait pushes. The Backcountry Fly Championship, for snook and redfish on fly, is fished in Islamorada in late February and early October.

Can you keep snook?

The harvest closures stop you keeping a snook, not catching and releasing one. On a charter the captain and crew may keep none.

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 size28–33 in TL slot
Bag limit1 per person
SeasonClosed Dec 1 to end of Feb and May 1 to Sep 30
SourceFWC: Snook

Which trip to book

A backcountry trip into Florida Bay: $700–$1,200 per boat in October 2026. Inside Everglades National Park the park’s own rules apply too; see Florida Bay fishing.

Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: snook profile ; FWC: snook regulations ; Bud N’ Mary’s: Everglades fishing .

Check it at the source

Snook: questions

Can you keep snook in the Florida Keys?

One per person in a 28 to 33 inch slot, total length, outside the closed months: December 1 to the end of February and May 1 to September 30, under the FWC rules as they apply in the Keys. Captain and crew on a charter may keep none.

Where do you catch snook near Islamorada?

In the backcountry: the mangrove shorelines and channels of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park, on the bay side of the islands.

Next step

Looking for fishing trips in Islamorada?

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