Big Catch Eligible Species


These are not State Record sizes

 

PLEASE NOTE: These are NOT State Record sizes. Current State Records are available HERE.

The following species are eligible for a Big Catch Certificate from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Check the specific species for the Big Catch qualifying sizes. Remember you only need to exceed the length or weight stipulated for adults or youth (under 16 years of age) to qualify. All fish must be caught legally, including a proper freshwater license or exemption, in Florida waters using an active hook-and-line method (bush hooks, snatch hooks, set lines, trotlines are excluded). A Big Catch Poster with these minimum qualifying sizes is also available, with illustrations of each fish to help you identify them. You can determine their range in Florida by visiting the Fish Range Finder.

Also find out about our challenging multi-species Bass Slam, Bream Slam, and Exotic Slam at the FAQ Page!

Images are courtesy of Duane Raver, Jr. and Diane Rome Peebles.

 

Black Bass
Largemouth Bass


State Record:
17.27 lbs| Uncertified Record: 20.13 lbs
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
8.00 lbs | 24 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
6 lbs | 18 inches
More details

SPECIAL TROPHYCATCH REWARDS PROGRAM
Black bass catches over 8 pounds are now eligible for a TrophyCatch award. TrophyCatch recognition is divided into three separate categories:

  • Lunker Club (8-9.99 pounds)
  • Trophy Club (10-12.99 pound)
  • Hall of Fame Club (13 pounds or greater)

For more information about eligiblity and prizing, click here.

Shoal Bass


State Record:
Vacant.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
2.00 lbs | 16 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.50 lbs | 12 inches
More details

Spotted Bass


State Record:
3.75 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
2.00 lbs | 16 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.50 lbs | 12 inches
More details

Suwannee Bass


State Record:
3.89 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.50 lbs | 14 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.00 lbs | 11 inches
More details

Panfish
Black Crappie


State Record:
3.83 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
2.00 lbs. | 14 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.50 lbs | 10 inches
More details

Bluegill


State Record:
2.95 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.00 lb. | 10 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.75 lbs | 8 inches
More details

Flier


State Record:
1.35 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.50 lbs. | 8 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.40 lbs | 6 inches
More details

Redbreast Sunfish


State Record:
2.08 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.50 lbs. | 9 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.40 lbs | 7 inches
More details

Redear Sunfish


State Record:
4.86 lbs. Big Catch: 11 inches total length or 1.25 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.25 lbs. | 11 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.00 lbs | 8 inches
More details

Spotted Sunfish


State Record:
0.83 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.50 lbs. | 7 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.40 inches | 5 inches
More details

Warmouth Sunfish


State Record:
2.44 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.50 lbs | 9 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.40 lbs | 7 inches
More details

Temperate Bass
Striped Bass


State Record:
42.25 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
12.00 lbs. | 30 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
9.00 lbs | 22 inches
More details

Sunshine Bass


State Record:
16.31 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
5.00 lbs | 20 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
3.50 lbs | 15 inches
More details

White Bass


State Record:
4.69 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
2.50 lbs. | 15 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.75 lbs | 11 inches
More details

Catfish
Blue Catfish


State Record:
64.5 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
25 lbs | 36 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
18.75 lbs | 27 inches
More details

Brown Bullhead


State Record:
7.02 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
2.00 lbs | 16 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.50 lbs | 12 inches
More details

Channel Catfish


State Record:
44.50 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
12.00 lbs | 25 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
9 lbs | 19 inches
More details

Flathead Catfish


State Record:
55.05 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
25 lbs | 36 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
18.75 lbs | 27 inches
More details

White Catfish


State Record:
18.88 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
5.00 lbs | 22 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
3.75 lbs | 16 inches
More details

Yellow Bullhead


State Record:
5.05 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.50 lbs | 14 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.00 lbs | 10 inches
More details

Other Native
American Shad


State Record:
5.19 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
3.00 lbs. | 18 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
2.25 lbs | 13 inches
More details

Bowfin or Mudfish


State Record:
19.0 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
8.00 lbs. | 28 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
6.00 lbs | 21 inches
More details

Chain Pickerel


State Record:
6.96 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
3.00 lbs. | 22 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
2.25 lbs | 17 inches
More details

Florida gar


State Record:
9.44 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
4.00 lbs. | 28 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
3.00 lbs | 21 inches
More details

Longnose Gar


State Record:
41.0 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
15.00 lbs. | 40 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
11.00 lbs | 30 inches
More details

Spotted Gar


State Record:
9.44 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
4 lbs. | 28"
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
3 lbs. | 21"
More details

Yellow Perch


State Record:
1.47 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.75 lbs. | 12 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.50 lbs | 9 inches
More details

Other Non-Native
Blue Tilapia


State Record:
9.38 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
5.00 lbs. | 18 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
3.75 lbs. | 13 inches
More details

Butterfly Peacock Bass


State Record:
9.11 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
4.00 lbs. | 18 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
3.00 lbs | 13 inches
More details

Common Carp


State Record:
Vacant. Qualifying size: 35 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
20 lbs. | 30 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
15.00 lbs | 22 inches
More details

Jaguar Guapote


State Record:
2.78 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.50 lbs. | 13 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.00 lbs | 10 inches
More details

Mayan Cichlid


State Record:
2.37 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.00 lb. | 11 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.75 lbs | 8 inches
More details

Oscar


State Record:
2.34 lbs.
BigCatch:
To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Adult Category Minimum Weight and Length:
1.25 lbs. | 11 inches
Youth Category Minimum Weight and Length:
0.75 lbs | 8 inches
More details