Biscayne Bay Fishing Forecast & Spots | Florida

Overview

Biscayne Bay is NWS marine zone AMZ630 on the Florida Atlantic coast, in the South Florida and the Keys species region. The Waterlands engine treats it as inland water (bays, sounds, straits). It holds 82 named features from the USGS Geographic Names Information System and has 2 NOAA tide stations nearby.

19 species are scored here in this forecast; Common snook, Crevalle jack, Red drum, King mackerel and Bonefish are at peak season now.

At 11:00 PM it scores 75 (great), led by Common snook. The best window for the rest of today is 11 PM-12 AM (flood tide), peaking at 75 for Common snook. Over the next 14 days the best hour is Tue, Nov 3 at 8 AM, scoring 87.

Best times to fish

Waterlands engine forecast computed 11:03 PM EDT.

Best window today

11 PM-12 AM · Flood tide

Top species: Common snook

75Great

Best hour of each day, next 14 days

Sat, Oct 31
83
6 PM
Common snook
Sun, Nov 1
83
6 AM
Common snook
Mon, Nov 2
81
7 AM
Common snook
Tue, Nov 3
87
8 AM
Common snook
Best day
Wed, Nov 4
87
8 AM
Common snook
Thu, Nov 5
85
9 AM
Common snook
Fri, Nov 6
85
4 PM
Common snook
Sat, Nov 7
85
6 AM
Common snook
Sun, Nov 8
86
6 PM
Common snook
Mon, Nov 9
86
12 AM
Common snook
Tue, Nov 10
85
1 PM
Common snook
Wed, Nov 11
85
2 AM
Common snook
Thu, Nov 12
84
2 AM
Common snook
Fri, Nov 13
84
4 PM
Common snook

Species · 19

Listed for the South Florida and the Keys region. Scores are this hour; season is where the species is in its year.

75Great

Common snookCentropomus undecimalis · inshore

Peak season, about 4 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 8 AM (87)

peak

69Great

Crevalle jackCaranx hippos · nearshore

Peak season, about 4 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (83)

peak

69Great

Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshore

Peak season, about 17 more weeks · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (83)

peak

67Great

Atlantic tarponMegalops atlanticus · inshore

Shoulder season, about 17 more weeks · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (81)

shoulder

63Good

Gray snapperLutjanus griseus · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 25 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (73)

shoulder

61Good

King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagic

Peak season, about 21 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (76)

peak

59Good

Black drumPogonias cromis · inshore

Shoulder season, about 13 more weeks · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (73)

shoulder

59Good

Florida pompanoTrachinotus carolinus · surf

Shoulder season, about 4 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (70)

shoulder

57Good

Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 4 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (73)

shoulder

55Good

Red grouperEpinephelus morio · offshore

Shoulder season, about 21 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (66)

shoulder

53Good

Greater amberjackSeriola dumerili · offshore

Shoulder season, about 17 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (65)

shoulder

50Good

Little tunnyEuthynnus alletteratus · pelagic

Shoulder season, about 25 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (67)

shoulder

46Good

PermitTrachinotus falcatus · inshore

Shoulder season, about 17 more weeks · Best day Mon, Nov 9 at 12 PM (75)

shoulder

42Fair

Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshore

Shoulder season, about 4 more weeks · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (68)

shoulder

35Fair

CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 4 more weeks · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (63)

shoulder

35Fair

SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshore

Shoulder season, about 13 more weeks · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (63)

shoulder

34Fair

BonefishAlbula vulpes · inshore

Peak season, about 3 more weeks · Best day Wed, Nov 11 at 8 AM (84)

peak

20Poor

Gag grouperMycteroperca microlepis · offshore

Shoulder season, about 25 more weeks · Best day Sat, Oct 31 at 12 AM (20)

shoulder

No score

BluefishPomatomus saltatrix · nearshore

Off season, about 4 more weeks · Best day Sun, Nov 1 at 12 AM (35)

off

Named spots · 82

Ranked by score this hour. Each spot has its own hourly forecast, tide, current and regulations.

70 more spots, A to Z

Nearest tide stations

Virginia KeyNOAA 872321413 mi South Port EvergladesNOAA 872295637.1 mi

Regulations

FWC saltwater regulations Buy a Florida fishing license License types

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Synced with FWC Oct 31, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.

This bay system’s spots fall in Atlantic (69 spots), Southeast (red drum) (69 spots), Southeast (snook) (69 spots), Southeast (seatrout) (69 spots), Special Permit Zone (60 spots), Monroe County (12 spots), Monroe County (Atlantic side) (12 spots), Southwest (red drum) (12 spots), Southwest (snook) (12 spots) and Southwest (seatrout) (12 spots).

Atlantic state waters (Nassau through Miami-Dade counties) · FWC

BluefishRetention open

3 per day · Minimum 12 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Hook and line, spears, gigs, seine or cast net.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Bluefish · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gag grouperClosed

No retention

Season: Aug 2 to Dec 31, 2026

FWC closed Atlantic gag grouper, including all state waters off Monroe County, for the rest of the 2026 season (Executive Order 26-10). The 2027 season has not been announced.

FWC news release, May 13, 2026: Atlantic gag grouper closes August 2 (EO 26-10) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Greater amberjackRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 28 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Apr 1, 2027

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Open January through March and May through December. Closed in April.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Amberjack · verified Sep 13, 2026

King mackerelRetention open

2 per day · Minimum 24 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Hook and line and spearing only. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: King Mackerel · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red grouperRetention open

3 per day (3 Atlantic grouper and tilefish combined) · Minimum 20 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Jan 1, 2027

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. No more than 3 grouper and tilefish combined per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Open May 1 through December 31. Closed January 1 through April 30.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Groupers · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red Drum Southeast Region · FWC

Red drumRetention open

1 per day · Slot 18 to 27 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line or cast net only. No spearing, gigging, bowfishing, snatch hooking, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Red Drum (Redfish) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Snook Southeast Region · FWC

SnookRetention open

1 per day · Slot 28 to 32 in, total length

Season: Sep 1 to Dec 14, 2026

Changes to catch & release on Dec 15, 2026

Snook permit and saltwater fishing license required. Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line only. Closed December 15 through January 31 and June 1 through August 31. Open February 1 through May 31 and September 1 through December 14. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snook · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spotted Seatrout Southeast Region · FWC

Spotted seatroutRetention open

3 per day · Slot 15 to 19 in, total length. One fish over 19 inches per vessel, or per person when fishing from shore, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line or cast net only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters. New regional rules took effect April 1, 2026.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spotted Seatrout · verified Sep 13, 2026

Special Permit Zone (SPZ) · FWC

PermitRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 22 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Apr 1, 2027

Hook and line only in state waters. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Closed April 1 through July 31 each year inside the Special Permit Zone.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Permit, Florida pompano and African pompano · verified Sep 13, 2026

Monroe County state waters (Florida Keys) · FWC

BluefishRetention open

10 per day · Minimum 12 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Hook and line, spears, gigs, seine or cast net. FWC applies the Gulf bluefish rules to all of Monroe County.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Bluefish · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gag grouperClosed

No retention

Season: Aug 2 to Dec 31, 2026

FWC closed Atlantic gag grouper, including all state waters off Monroe County, for the rest of the 2026 season (Executive Order 26-10). The 2027 season has not been announced.

FWC news release, May 13, 2026: Atlantic gag grouper closes August 2 (EO 26-10) · verified Sep 13, 2026

King mackerelRetention open

3 per day · Minimum 24 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Hook and line and spearing only. FWC applies the Gulf king mackerel rules to all of Monroe County. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: King Mackerel · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red grouperRetention open

3 per day (3 Atlantic grouper and tilefish combined) · Minimum 20 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Jan 1, 2027

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. No more than 3 grouper and tilefish combined per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Open May 1 through December 31. Closed January 1 through April 30.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Groupers · verified Sep 13, 2026

Monroe County state waters, Atlantic side (south and east of U.S. Highway 1) · FWC

Greater amberjackRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 28 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Apr 1, 2027

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Open January through March and May through December. Closed in April. In Monroe County, FWC applies these Atlantic rules south and east of U.S. Highway 1 (the ocean side of the Keys).

FWC Recreational Regulations: Amberjack · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red Drum Southwest Region · FWC

Red drumRetention open

1 per day · Slot 18 to 27 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No spearing, gigging, bowfishing, snatch hooking, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Red Drum (Redfish) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Snook Southwest Region · FWC

SnookRetention open

1 per day · Slot 28 to 33 in, total length

Season: Oct 1 to Nov 30, 2026

Changes to catch & release on Dec 1, 2026

Snook permit and saltwater fishing license required. Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line only. Closed December 1 through the end of February and May 1 through September 30. Open March 1 through April 30 and October 1 through November 30. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snook · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spotted Seatrout Southwest Region · FWC

Spotted seatroutRetention open

3 per day · Slot 15 to 19 in, total length. One fish over 19 inches per vessel, or per person when fishing from shore, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters. New regional rules took effect April 1, 2026.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spotted Seatrout · verified Sep 13, 2026

Statewide

Black drumRetention open

5 per day · Slot 14 to 24 in, total length. One fish over 24 inches allowed, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Black Drum · verified Sep 13, 2026

BonefishCatch & release

No retention

Season: No closed season on file

No multiple hooks with natural bait.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Bonefish · verified Sep 13, 2026

CobiaRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 36 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less. Spears, gigs, hook and line, seine or cast net.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Cobia · verified Sep 13, 2026

Crevalle jackRetention open

Season: No closed season on file

Two fish or 100 pounds per person per day, whichever is more. Crevalle jack is an unregulated species with this default limit. Hook and line, spears, gigs, haul seines and cast nets.

FWC Recreational Regulations: "Unregulated" Species · verified Sep 13, 2026

Florida pompanoRetention open

6 per day · Minimum 11 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, and beach or haul seine only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round in state and federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Permit, Florida pompano and African pompano · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gray snapperRetention open

5 per day (10 snapper combined) · Minimum 10 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Open year-round in Gulf and Atlantic state waters. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Counts toward the 10-snapper aggregate per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Federal waters have a 12-inch minimum and a 10-fish bag.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snappers · verified Sep 13, 2026

PermitRetention open

2 per day · Slot 11 to 22 in, fork length. One fish over 22 inches allowed per person, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

No more than 2 permit over 22 inches per vessel. Hook and line only in state waters. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Outside the Special Permit Zone. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Permit, Florida pompano and African pompano · verified Sep 13, 2026

SheepsheadRetention open

8 per day · Minimum 12 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

State rules extend into federal waters. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. A 50-fish vessel limit applies in March and April.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Sheepshead · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spanish mackerelRetention open

15 per day · Minimum 12 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Beach or haul seine, cast net, hook and line, or spear. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spanish Mackerel · verified Sep 13, 2026

TarponCatch & release

No retention

Season: No closed season on file

Tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water. Special gear rules apply year-round in Boca Grande Pass. Hook and line only. No snagging, snatch hooking, spearing, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Applies in state and federal waters of the Gulf and Atlantic.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Tarpon · verified Sep 13, 2026

Biscayne Bay fishing forecast

Overview

Best times to fish

Species · 19

Named spots · 82

Nearest tide stations

Regulations

Other Florida bay systems