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
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.
Big Catch:
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 Bulhead
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
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"
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:
20lbs. | 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
