About
Fish Rules is an innovative fishing regulation app available on iOS, Android, and web that takes the confusion out of understanding complex fishing rules. By leveraging your phone's GPS and the current date, Fish Rules automatically filters and displays only the regulations that apply to where and when you're fishing — covering saltwater federal and state waters from Maine to Texas and Hawaii, as well as freshwater regulations for Florida, Alabama, and Texas. At a glance, you can see whether a species is in season, how many you can keep, and minimum size requirements. The app also features crisp fish illustrations and photographs to help you identify your catch on the water, with swipeable images revealing identification clues. For those heading offshore without cell service, manual location selection keeps you covered. A ProStaff subscription enhances the experience with access to thousands of reef locations, a 48-hour professional fish identification service, bookmarked spots with custom waypoints and notes, and an ad-free interface. Fish Rules also supports conservation through integrated trip logging and participation in citizen science tagging studies and programs. A dedicated commercial angler app is available for professional fishermen. Whether you're a weekend recreational angler or a full-time fishing guide, Fish Rules ensures you stay informed, compliant, and confident on the water.
Key Features
- GPS-Powered Regulation Filtering: Automatically detects your location and current date to display only the fishing regulations relevant to where and when you're fishing, including federal and state waters.
- Saltwater & Freshwater Coverage: Covers saltwater regulations from Maine to Texas and Hawaii, plus freshwater regulations for Florida, Alabama, and Texas — all in one app.
- Quick Fish Identification: Crisp illustrations and photos help you ID your catch on the spot. Swipe through images for identification clues, or use ProStaff for expert ID within 48 hours.
- Offline Mode & Manual Location: No cell signal at sea? Manually select your fishing location to access the correct regulations even without an internet connection.
- Trip Logging & Citizen Science: Quickly log your catches with a streamlined flow, participate in citizen science, and contribute to tagging studies and fishery conservation programs.
Use Cases
- Recreational saltwater anglers quickly checking bag limits, size requirements, and open seasons before and during a fishing trip.
- Freshwater anglers in Florida, Alabama, or Texas verifying species-specific regulations without having to read through lengthy printed rulebooks.
- Fishing guides and charter captains staying compliant with both federal and state regulations across different waters throughout the season.
- Anglers identifying unfamiliar catches on the water using the app's illustrated fish ID library and swipeable photo guides.
- Conservation-minded fishermen contributing catch data to citizen science programs and fishery tagging studies through the built-in trip log.
Pros
- Automatic, Location-Aware Rules: GPS and calendar integration eliminate the need to manually look up region-specific regulations — the app does it for you in real time.
- Works Offline: Manual location selection means you can still access accurate regulations even when you're out at sea without a data connection.
- All-in-One Fishing Companion: Combines regulation lookup, fish ID, reef maps, trip logging, and citizen science into a single app for recreational and commercial anglers alike.
- Supports Conservation: ProStaff subscriptions fund fishery sustainability efforts and enable participation in tagging studies and citizen science programs.
Cons
- Limited Freshwater Coverage: Freshwater fishing regulations are currently only available for Florida, Alabama, and Texas — anglers in other states won't find inland coverage.
- Key Features Behind Paywall: Premium features like reef locations, professional fish ID, ad removal, and bookmarked waypoints require a paid ProStaff subscription.
- Pro Fish ID Not Instant: The professional fish identification service has a turnaround time of up to 48 hours, which may not help when you need an answer immediately on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What waters and states does Fish Rules cover?
Fish Rules covers saltwater fishing regulations for federal and state waters along the US coast from Maine to Texas and Hawaii. Freshwater regulations are currently available for Florida, Alabama, and Texas.
Does Fish Rules work without cell service?
Yes. If you lose cell signal while on the water, you can manually select your fishing location in the app to view the relevant regulations without needing an internet connection.
What is included in a ProStaff subscription?
A ProStaff subscription unlocks thousands of reef locations, professional fish ID assistance within 48 hours, bookmarked locations with custom waypoints and notes, and an ad-free experience.
Can I log my fishing trips in the app?
Yes. Fish Rules includes a streamlined catch-logging feature that lets you record fish quickly on the water and fill in additional details later. Logs can contribute to citizen science and tagging studies.
Is there a version of Fish Rules for commercial anglers?
Yes. Fish Rules offers a dedicated commercial angler app available on iOS and Android, designed specifically for the needs of professional fishing operations.
