A slot limit is a tool used by fisheries managers to regulate the size of fish that can legally be harvested from particular bodies of water. Usually set by state fish and game departments, the protected slot limit prohibits the harvest of fish where the lengths, measured from the snout to the end of the tail, fall within the protected interval.[1] For example, on a body of water where there is a protected slot limit on largemouth bass between 12 and 16 inches (30 and 41 cm), largemouth between those lengths may not be harvested.[2] In this example largemouth bass shorter than 12 inches (30 cm) and longer than 16 inches (41 cm) may be removed from the water and kept for personal use in accordance with local fishing regulations.
Slot limits are based on the principle that bass populations exhibit different habitat requirements during different phases of their lives. Slot limits focus on protecting one segment of the life history which can influence overall fishing success.[3]
A minimum landing size is a similar regulation in commercial fishing.
"Slot" may also refer to a fish within the size limits one can keep. For example, a "slot Red Drum" measuring between 18"-27" may be kept, but anything below may not be harvested, and any fish over 27" may only be harvested with a red drum tag