Dolphin (mahi-mahi) and wahoo federal rules: Atlantic limits

The federal dolphin (mahi-mahi) and wahoo rules cover the Atlantic and do not extend to the Gulf.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) and the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office set and run the rules, which sit in 50 CFR part 622. SAFMC’s federal regulations page is the place to confirm them. Federal rules apply in the Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ), from the edge of state waters out to 200 nautical miles. Inside state waters, state rules govern. U.S. Caribbean federal waters have separate dolphin and wahoo rules, which NOAA Fisheries bulletins carry.

This guide covers the limits, who they apply to, and where to confirm them before you leave the dock. Check the agency page before every trip. For other species, see the rest of our offshore species guides.

Atlantic dolphin and wahoo limits at a glance

The federal Atlantic dolphin limit is 10 per person per day, not to exceed 54 per vessel.

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

All fish must be landed with head and fins intact; gutting, gilling and scaling are allowed. Private anglers need no federal permit.

Atlantic dolphin rules: bag limit, vessel limit and size

The Atlantic dolphin bag limit is 10 per person per day, not to exceed 54 per vessel, whichever is less. The citation is 50 CFR 622.277, and the federal regulation text is on eCFR.

How the 54-fish vessel limit works

The vessel limit caps the whole boat, and the lower number applies:

• 4 anglers × 10 = 40. That is under the cap, so the boat keeps 40.
• 6 anglers × 10 = 60. That is over the cap, so the 54 governs.
• The cap starts to bind once you have more than 5 anglers aboard (6 × 10 > 54).

Headboats are counted differently, at 10 per paying passenger. The for-hire section covers that.

The 20-inch fork length limit

The 20-inch fork length minimum applies off Florida, Georgia and South Carolina only. Fork length is measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail. The federal size limit does not list North Carolina, so if you fish there, check your state page. There is no closed recreational season.

Find the fish and the techniques in our mahi-mahi fishing guide.

Atlantic wahoo rules

The federal Atlantic wahoo bag limit is 2 per person per day, with no minimum size and no closed recreational season. The citations are 50 CFR 622.276 and 622.277. Because there is no federal minimum size, any wahoo counts toward your 2.

Find the fish and the techniques in our wahoo fishing guide.

Landing condition and authorized gear

Dolphin and wahoo must stay head and fins intact until landed. Gutting, gilling and scaling are allowed, but filleting at sea is not.

Authorized gear for dolphin (50 CFR 622.275):

• Rod and reel
• Handline
• Spearfishing gear

For-hire rules and permits

Charter vessels and headboats follow different limits, and both need a federal permit:

• Charter vessels and headboats fishing for or possessing Atlantic dolphin or wahoo in or from the Atlantic EEZ need the Atlantic dolphin and wahoo charter vessel/headboat permit. It is issued to the vessel and kept on board.
• On a charter vessel, the limit is 10 dolphin per person, not to exceed 54 per vessel.
• On a headboat, the limit is 10 dolphin per paying passenger.
• Wahoo is 2 per person on both.
• Private anglers need no federal permit for dolphin or wahoo.
• Tunas and billfish caught on the same trip fall under HMS permits. See HMS permits and reporting.
• On a for-hire vessel in Florida Atlantic state waters, the limit is 5 dolphin per customer, and captain and crew keep zero. The next section explains why.

State waters versus federal waters: which rule applies

Inside state waters, state rules apply. Beyond them, the federal rules apply.

Florida shows how the boundary varies. Its Atlantic state waters run to 3 nautical miles, and its Gulf state waters run to 9 nautical miles.

Florida Atlantic state-waters dolphin rules:

• 5 per person
• 30 per private vessel
• 20-inch fork length
• Hook and line and spearing only
• Gutting and gill removal allowed

Wahoo in Florida Atlantic and Gulf state waters is 2 per person, with no minimum size.

If you work a weedline 2 nautical miles off the beach in Florida, you fish under FWC’s 5 and 30 limits rather than the federal 10 and 54. Check FWC’s dolphinfish regulations page for the dolphin rules, and FWC’s wahoo page for wahoo.

Other states set their own state-waters limits. Check your state’s regulations page.

Gulf waters: no federal dolphin or wahoo limit

There is no federal dolphin or wahoo limit in Gulf of America federal waters, including what you may still search for as Gulf of Mexico rules.

The basis is in the regulations:

• The federal rules cover the Atlantic only (50 CFR part 622, Appendix A).
• The Gulf size and bag sections (622.270) list no limit for these species.

Gulf Council federal regulations cover the Gulf of America Fishery Management Council’s reef fish and pelagic rules. State rules govern dolphin and wahoo there:

• Florida’s Gulf rules are on the FWC page.
• Louisiana applies its own wahoo limit to wahoo possessed in or outside Louisiana waters. See LDWF recreational saltwater finfish rules.
• If you fish off another Gulf state, check that state’s regulations page.

Other fish on the same trip

The weedline that holds dolphin also holds yellowfin and blackfin tuna, and trolling can raise sailfish and marlin. Those fish fall under separate rules. See the federal rules for Atlantic tunas and the billfish and swordfish rules.

Planning the run

Dolphin and wahoo follow weedlines and temperature edges. The OBS SST layer shows the edge, and the Chlorophyll layer shows where blue water meets green. Picking the line before you burn the fuel saves time on the water. Download Breakpoint from the App Store or Google Play and see what the layers show for your port.

Chart layers are not for navigation. Know your waters and your numbers, and check the agency page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 54-fish vessel limit apply on a headboat?

No. A headboat’s limit is 10 dolphin per paying passenger. The 54 cap applies to other vessels, including charter vessels. NOAA Fisheries and SAFMC set these rules, so confirm them on the agency page before you go.

Is there a federal mahi-mahi limit in the Gulf?

No. There is no federal dolphin or wahoo limit in Gulf federal waters, because the federal rules are Atlantic only. Check your state agency, such as FWC or LDWF, for the limits that apply to you.

Does wahoo have a size limit?

There is no federal minimum size for wahoo. The federal limit is 2 per person per day. Florida state waters also have no minimum size. In other states, check that state’s regulations page.

Do I need a federal permit to fish for dolphin on my own boat?

No. Private anglers need no federal permit for dolphin. For-hire vessels need the Atlantic dolphin and wahoo charter vessel/headboat permit from NOAA Fisheries. Tunas and billfish carry separate HMS permits.

Which rule applies inside 3 miles off Florida?

Inside 3 nautical miles on the Atlantic side, FWC rules apply: 5 dolphin per person and 30 per private vessel. On the Gulf side, Florida state waters run to 9 nautical miles. Check FWC’s page for the rules in either.

Can I fillet dolphin at sea?

No. Keep head and fins intact until landed. Gutting, gilling and scaling are allowed. NOAA Fisheries requires this so officers can check the fish.

Does the 20-inch limit apply off North Carolina?

The federal 20-inch fork length limit covers Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. North Carolina anglers should check the state page for state waters. NOAA Fisheries and SAFMC publish the federal rule.

Where do I check in-season changes?

NOAA Fisheries bulletins carry in-season changes and the Caribbean rules. Check the NOAA Fisheries bulletins page before every trip.