Big Catch Eligible Species

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

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

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