Skip to main content
Menu

Traps

Recreational Blue Crab Trap
  • Maximum trap size is 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet or a volume of 8 cubic feet
  • Mesh size must be 1 1/2 inches or larger
  • The throat or entrance cannot extend farther than 6 inches into the inside of any trap
  • Must have at least three escape rings, each located on a vertical outer surface adjacent to each chamber
  • Escape rings must be larger than 2 3/8 inches.
  • The trap must have a degradable panel larger than 3 inches by 6 inches
  • Types of degradable panels include: untreated jute twine, non-coated steel wire measuring 24 gauge or thinner, untreated pine dowel no larger than 2 inches in length by 3/8 inch in diameter or untreated pine slats no thicker than 3/8 inch
  • Trap must have name and address permanently affixed in legible letters
  • Recreational trap buoys must be no smaller than 6 inches and must be marked with a legible "R" that is at least 2 inches tall
Example of a standard pinfish trap

How to Video

  • Maximum trap size is 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet or a volume of 8 cubic feet
  • It is not required but it is recommended that some form of owner contact information is attached to the trap
  • Throat or entrance should not exceed 3 inches in height by 3/4 inches in width
  • A buoy is not required but is recommended for preventing loss of the trap
Example of a standard recreational shrimp trap
  • Maximum trap size is 3 feet by 2 feet by 1 feet
  • Trap must be marked with owner's name and address
  • A buoy is not required but is recommended for preventing loss of the trap
  • The incorporation of external or unattached wings or other devices to funnel shrimp into the trap is prohibited

Stone Crab Trap

  • Maximum trap size is 24 inches by 24 inches by 24 inches or a volume of 8 cubic feet
  • Traps can be made from either wood, wire or plastic
  • The throat or entrance must be 5 ½ inches by 3 ½ inches
  • Throat must be no larger than 5 1/2 by 3 1/8 inches in Collier, Monroe and Miami-Dade
  • If the throat or entrance is round, it cannot exceed 5 inches in diameter
  • Round throats prohibited in Collier, Monroe and Miami-Dade counties
  • The trap must have a degradable panel that is 5 ½ inches by 3 ½ inches and is made of cypress or untreated pine slat no thicker than ¾ of an inch
  • Wire traps must have at least three unobstructed escape rings (2 3/8 inches in diameter) located on a vertical side of the trap.
  • NEW: A 2 3/16” escape ring will be required in all plastic and wood stone crab traps by 2023/2024 season. The escape ring must be located in the lower half of the trap and immediately adjacent to the vertical centerline of the trap wall on which it is installed. An escape ring may not be located adjacent to any corner where two vertical trap walls meet.
  • Harvester’s name, address, and unique recreational trap registration number must be permanently affixed to each trap and legible
  • The buoy must be no smaller than 6 inches and must be marked with a legible “R” that is at least 2 inches tall.
  • Buoys are not required if trap is fished from a dock.

 

 

 

 

Special regulations apply for traps and this species when in Biscayne National Park.