Register Your Stone Crab Traps Before They Hit the Water
Florida stone crab trapping is simple only after the saltwater license question, no-cost trap registration, trap markings, season dates, claw size and buoy rules are correct.
This guide gives recreational crabbers a practical pre-launch path: register in Go Outdoors Florida, mark each trap, inspect trap specs, avoid bad locations, pull traps legally and harvest claws without damaging the crab.
Fast answer: Florida recreational harvesters age 16 or older must complete the no-cost Recreational Stone Crab Trap Registration before using stone crab traps. The registration is annual, available through Go Outdoors Florida, and gives unique stone crab trap numbers that begin with S.
This registration is separate from the saltwater fishing license. If you are not otherwise license-exempt, you need the proper saltwater fishing license plus the no-cost trap registration. If you are normally exempt from a typical fishing license, the trap registration still applies before you use traps.
Stone Crab Trap Checker: Are You Ready to Set a Trap?
Use this before your trap touches the water. It catches the high-risk problems: no registration, too many traps, wrong location, missing buoy mark, dock confusion and commercial-style gear.
How to Complete Florida Stone Crab Trap Registration
The registration is online, annual and no-cost. It is required for recreational harvesters age 16 or older before harvesting or attempting to harvest stone crabs using traps.
Open the official portal
Go to GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Avoid third-party pages that make a free registration look like a paid service.
Sign in or create your account
Use the same account you use for your Florida saltwater fishing license. The trap registration is added to your license account.
Choose the license tile
FWC’s season notice says to sign in, click the “Click here to get a License!” tile, then scroll to the Saltwater Fishing section.
Select Recreational Stone Crab Trap Registration
Choose the no-cost registration item. Do not confuse it with blue crab registration or any commercial stone crab product.
Save all assigned numbers
After completion, you receive unique trap registration numbers. Stone crab registration numbers begin with the letter S.
Mark every trap before deployment
Each trap must show the owner’s full name, address and unique recreational stone crab trap registration number in a legible, permanent way.
Saltwater License vs Stone Crab Trap Registration
Many crabbers mix these up. The saltwater fishing license gives basic recreational saltwater privileges if you are required to have one. The stone crab trap registration gives you trap numbers for recreational stone crab traps. They are not the same thing.
| Item | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Saltwater fishing license | Allows eligible recreational saltwater fishing or harvest activities when a license is required. | Does not automatically register stone crab traps or give trap numbers. |
| Stone Crab Trap Registration | Assigns no-cost recreational stone crab trap registration numbers for trap marking. | Does not replace a saltwater fishing license if you are otherwise required to have one. |
| Blue Crab Trap Registration | Assigns recreational blue crab trap numbers that begin with B. | Does not cover stone crab traps. Stone crab trap numbers begin with S. |
| Commercial stone crab credentials | Used for commercial harvest, sales, certificates, tags and commercial gear rules. | Not covered by this recreational guide. |
Who Needs Recreational Stone Crab Trap Registration?
The registration rule is broad. Recreational fishers age 16 and older must complete the online no-cost registration before using stone crab traps, including people who are normally exempt from needing a typical fishing license.
Age 16 or older
Complete the no-cost online registration each year before using stone crab traps.
Normally license-exempt
FWC says the trap registration still applies even if you are normally exempt from typical fishing license requirements.
Under 16
Online registration is not required, but traps still must be marked with the owner’s name and address.
What Your Stone Crab Registration Number Means
After registration, you receive unique trap registration numbers. For stone crab traps, those numbers begin with S. Those numbers help FWC identify recreational traps, reduce unmarked gear and gather recreational fishery information.
Where to put it
Permanently and legibly attach the registration number to the trap itself with the owner’s name and address.
What not to do
Do not write the number only on a buoy, loose rope tag or removable paper label. The trap itself must be marked.
Backup habit
Take a photo of every marked trap before deployment so you have proof of marking if a tag fades or the trap is recovered later.
Florida Stone Crab Season, Claw Size and Bag Limits
Registration only makes the trap legal to use. You still need to follow season dates, claw-size rules, daily limits and harvest restrictions.
| Rule | Current FWC recreational detail | Practical user-help note |
|---|---|---|
| Open season | Oct. 15 through May 1; closed on May 2. | Do not harvest on May 2. Remove traps during closure. |
| Early trap placement | Traps may be placed in the water 10 days before the season opens. | Once placed, traps may not be tended until the season starts. |
| Minimum claw size | 2 7/8 inches; only claws may be harvested. | Measure the propodus before removing the claw. |
| Daily bag limit | 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less. | The vessel cap can limit a group even when multiple registered people are aboard. |
| Egg-bearing crabs | Harvest from egg-bearing crabs is prohibited. | If eggs are visible, do not take claws. Return the crab carefully. |
| Legal recreational gear | Stone crab trap, dip net or landing net. | Spears, hooks, grabs or devices that puncture, crush or injure the body are illegal. |
Recreational Stone Crab Trap Specifications
Many violations come from traps that look “close enough” but fail one technical detail. Check the trap before baiting it.
| Trap part | FWC requirement | Plain-English check |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum trap size | 24 inches by 24 inches by 24 inches or volume of 8 cubic feet. | Measure before buying used traps online. |
| Trap material | Wood, wire or plastic. | Material choice affects escape ring and degradable panel details. |
| Throat / entrance | Generally 5 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. | Measure the entrance, not the outside frame. |
| Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade throat | No larger than 5 1/2 by 3 1/8 inches. | Round throats are prohibited in these counties. |
| Round throat elsewhere | If round, it cannot exceed 5 inches in diameter. | Still avoid round throats if you might fish restricted counties. |
| Degradable panel | 5 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches, cypress or untreated pine slat no thicker than 3/4 inch. | This helps reduce ghost fishing if the trap is lost. |
| Wire trap escape rings | At least three unobstructed escape rings, 2 3/8 inches in diameter, on a vertical side. | Do not block rings with bait boxes, frames or repairs. |
| Plastic or wood trap escape ring | For 2024-25 season and beyond, 2 3/16-inch unobstructed escape ring in a vertical exterior trap wall. | This is the update older traps often fail. |
Used Stone Crab Trap Buying Checklist
Used traps are common, but “worked last year” does not always mean legal this year. Check the trap before paying.
- Measure the outside: confirm the trap is not bigger than 24 x 24 x 24 inches or 8 cubic feet.
- Check the throat: use the smaller Collier, Monroe and Miami-Dade throat rule if you might fish those counties.
- Find the degradable panel: it should be the right size and made from the allowed wood material.
- Check the escape ring: wood and plastic traps need the updated 2 3/16-inch unobstructed exterior wall ring.
- Remove old owner info: do not deploy a trap showing someone else’s name, address or registration number.
- Inspect sharp repairs: wire, cable ties or broken mesh should not block escape rings or create hazards.
- Ask where it was used: traps built for one county may fail rules in Collier, Monroe or Miami-Dade.
Trap Marking, Registration Number and Buoy Rules
Registration is useless if the trap is not marked correctly. FWC requires the identifying information to be legible and permanently attached to each trap.
Registration number
Each trap must include the unique recreational stone crab trap registration number. Stone crab numbers begin with S.
Name and address
The owner’s full name and address must be permanently affixed and legible on the trap.
Buoy marking
The buoy must be no smaller than 6 inches and marked with a legible R at least 2 inches tall. Buoys are not required if the trap is fished from a dock.
Where Recreational Stone Crab Traps Can and Cannot Go
Legal traps can still become illegal because of placement. Navigation channels are the biggest danger zone, but special areas can add extra rules too.
Do not block navigation
FWC prohibits traps in navigational channels of the Intracoastal waterways or in channels maintained and marked by county, municipal, state or federal agencies.
Biscayne National Park
FWC notes special regulations apply for stone crab traps in Biscayne National Park. Check park-specific rules before setting traps there.
Remove unused traps
Traps that are not being fished should be removed from the water to reduce ghost fishing and gear loss.
Pulling, Tending and Checking Stone Crab Traps
After the trap is legal, how you work it still matters. Recreational stone crab traps must be handled manually and only during daylight hours.
Daylight only
Traps must be pulled only during daylight hours. Plan trips so you are not rushing in low light.
Manual pull only
Recreational traps must be pulled manually. A vessel rigged with a trap-puller may be treated as commercial and require proper commercial licenses.
Do not pull others’ traps
Never pull another person’s trap without permission and proper authorization. Treat trap numbers like ownership labels.
Claw Removal, Egg-Bearing Crabs and Conservation
The stone crab fishery depends on live crabs surviving after claws are removed. The legal goal is not to keep the whole crab. Only legal-sized claws may be harvested, and the crab should be returned to the water carefully.
Measure before removing
The legal claw measurement is 2 7/8 inches across the propodus, the larger immovable part of the claw.
Do not take egg-bearing claws
Harvest from egg-bearing stone crabs is prohibited. Return the crab without removing claws.
One claw is better for survival
FWC says both claws may be harvested if legal size, but a crab with one claw has better ability to feed and defend itself.
Dock Traps, Family Traps and Shared Boats
Some of the most confusing recreational questions happen at home docks, vacation rentals and family boats. Use the exact owner and trap marking rules rather than guessing.
| Situation | Best practical answer | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Trap fished from your dock | A buoy is not required, but trap marking still matters. | Owner name, address and registration number if age 16+. |
| Parent sets traps with a child under 16 | Under-16 harvesters do not need online registration, but traps need owner name and address. | Use the adult’s registration if the adult owns and fishes the trap. |
| Several adults on one boat | Each registered person can have up to five traps, but bag limits still include the vessel cap. | Do not mix unmarked traps or exceed the 2-gallon vessel limit. |
| Vacation rental dock | Do not assume rental-property traps are legal to pull. | Ask the owner and verify trap markings before touching them. |
Recreational vs Commercial Stone Crab Rules
This page is for recreational trap registration. Do not use it as a commercial licensing guide. Commercial stone crab harvest uses Saltwater Products License requirements, endorsements, trap certificates, tags and separate transfer rules.
| Topic | Recreational | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Trap registration | No-cost Recreational Stone Crab Trap Registration on Go Outdoors Florida. | Commercial licensing, endorsements, trap certificates and tags may apply. |
| Trap limit | Maximum 5 stone crab traps per person. | Commercial rules are different and tied to endorsements, certificates and tags. |
| Trap pulling | Manual pulling only; trap-puller setup can trigger commercial status concerns. | Commercial vessels and gear are regulated under commercial rules. |
| Selling claws | This guide does not cover sales. Recreational harvest is for personal use. | Commercial harvest and sale require proper commercial credentials. |
Common Florida Stone Crab Trap Registration Mistakes
These are the errors that turn a fun crab trip into a warning, citation, lost trap or wasted season.
- Assuming “license-exempt” means “registration-exempt”: FWC says trap registration still applies to age 16+ harvesters using stone crab traps.
- Marking the buoy but not the trap: the trap itself must have the owner’s name, address and unique registration number.
- Using an old trap: older wood or plastic traps may fail the 2 3/16-inch escape ring rule.
- Putting traps in a marked channel: legal trap specs do not make a bad location legal.
- Pulling at night: recreational traps must be pulled only during daylight hours.
- Using a trap puller: recreational traps must be pulled manually.
- Taking claws from egg-bearing crabs: harvest from egg-bearing crabs is prohibited.
- Forgetting the vessel bag cap: the recreational limit is 1 gallon per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less.
- Leaving traps after you stop fishing: remove traps that are not being fished to avoid ghost fishing.
- Confusing blue crab and stone crab numbers: stone crab registration numbers start with S; blue crab registration numbers start with B.
Official PDF and Source Notes for Stone Crab Traps
The FWC live stone crab page is the most important source for real-world decisions. The 2026 Florida Saltwater Recreational Regulations PDF is helpful because it visually shows trap specs, buoy marking, escape ring placement and best-practice reminders.
PDF trap infographic
The 2026 PDF’s “Recreational Stone Crab Traps” page highlights five traps per person, 2 7/8-inch claw size, 6-inch buoy with 2-inch R, throat limits, degradable panel and escape ring details.
PDF license reminder
The PDF says license buying is available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or through the Fish|Hunt Florida mobile app, with processing fees applying to telephone and internet sales.
PDF legal caution
The PDF says it is a guide and that the Florida Administrative Code is the final authority. Use the live FWC pages before setting traps or harvesting claws.
FWC Video: Stone Crab Regulations and Claw Removal
FWC’s season notice points recreational crabbers to a YouTube video on stone crab regulations and best practices for claw removal. Use it as a visual helper after checking the trap-registration and trap-spec sections above.
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FWC License Help, Office Contact and Map
For official license, registration or enforcement questions, use FWC and Go Outdoors contacts. Do not rely on a seller, neighbor or forum comment for a trap-registration problem.
FWC main contact
FWC lists the Farris Bryant Building at 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL and phone number 850-488-4676.
License and permit help
Use FWC licensing pages and Go Outdoors Florida for official registration, reprints and account tasks.
Report violations
For suspected illegal traps, wildlife violations or urgent enforcement concerns, use Wildlife Alert rather than an unofficial comment form.
Official Florida Stone Crab Trap Links
Use these after you understand the rule. They are task links for registration, trap specs, regulations and current source verification.
Register your recreational trap
Use Go Outdoors Florida and add Recreational Stone Crab Trap Registration to your account.
FWC stone crab rules
Official source for registration, season, bag limits, gear, trap specs and harvest restrictions.
FWC trap specifications
Official trap dimensions, buoy rules, escape rings, degradable panels and marking details.
FWC saltwater permits
Official saltwater license and permit page, including trap-registration entries.
Florida Stone Crab Trap Registration FAQs
Is Florida recreational stone crab trap registration free?
Yes. FWC lists the Recreational Stone Crab Trap Registration as a no-cost annual registration available through Go Outdoors Florida.
Who needs to register stone crab traps in Florida?
Recreational harvesters age 16 or older must complete the online no-cost trap registration before using stone crab traps, even if they are normally exempt from typical fishing license requirements.
Do I need a saltwater fishing license too?
If you are not otherwise license-exempt, you need the proper saltwater fishing license plus the no-cost trap registration to harvest or attempt to harvest stone crabs using traps.
Do kids under 16 need stone crab trap registration?
No. FWC says harvesters under 16 are not required to complete the online registration, but their traps still must be marked with the owner’s name and address.
How many stone crab traps can a recreational harvester use?
Recreational stone crabbers may use up to five stone crab traps per person.
What must be marked on each recreational stone crab trap?
Each trap must have the harvester’s name, address and unique recreational trap registration number permanently attached and legible. Stone crab trap registration numbers begin with S.
What size buoy is required for a recreational stone crab trap?
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 the trap is fished from a dock.
When is Florida stone crab season?
Florida stone crab season is open Oct. 15 through May 1 and closed on May 2. Traps may be placed in the water 10 days before the season opens but may not be tended until the season starts.
What is the legal stone crab claw size in Florida?
The minimum claw size is 2 7/8 inches, measured across the propodus. Only claws may be harvested.
What is the recreational stone crab bag limit?
The daily recreational bag limit is 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less.
Can both stone crab claws be harvested?
Both claws may be harvested if they are legal size, but FWC explains that taking both leaves the crab with few defenses and less ability to obtain food. Taking one legal claw is the better conservation habit.
Can I use a trap puller for recreational stone crab traps?
No. Recreational traps must be pulled manually. FWC says a vessel rigged with a trap-puller will be considered a commercial vessel and appropriate commercial licenses will be required.