Smalltooth sawfish

US fish and state coverage

Pristis pectinata

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Typical depth
to 122 meters
Typical size
Catch minimum
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
Small juvenile smalltooth sawfish use different habitats than large juveniles and adults. Small juveniles inhabit shallow coastal areas in estuaries, river mouths, and bays year-round (Poulakis et al. 2011). They have been recorded from a variety of habitat types including unvegetated mud and sand bottoms, especially along red mangrove shorelines, which are considered “critical habitat” (Norton et al. 2012). Also, small juveniles use creeks and canals that connect to the main stem of rivers (Poulakis et al. 2011, 2016). Small juveniles typically inhabit salinities between 18 and 30 parts per thousand (PPT) (the ocean is 35), sometimes far up rivers (Simpfendorfer et al. 2011; Poulakis et al. 2013). Adults are typically found in open water habitats from the shallows to depths of several hundred feet (up to 122 meters) (Seitz and Poulakis 2002; Poulakis and Seitz 2004; Graham et al. 2021), but have been encountered near coral reefs and occur inshore during the spring when females give bi
Diet
diet of the smalltooth sawfish consists of a variety of bony fish and stingrays (Poulakis et al. eath (Poulakis et al. eath begins disappearing after birth and is gone after about four days.
Water type
saltwater

When to fish

Seasonality
2021), but have been encountered near coral reefs and occur inshore during the spring when females give birth and mating is thought to occur.

Where to fish

Habitat summary
Small juvenile smalltooth sawfish use different habitats than large juveniles and adults. Small juveniles inhabit shallow coastal areas in estuaries, river mouths, and bays year-round (Poulakis et al. 2011). They have been recorded from a variety of habitat types including unvegetated mud and sand bottoms, especially along red mangrove shorelines, which are considered “critical habitat” (Norton et al. 2012). Also, small juveniles use creeks and canals that connect to the main stem of rivers (Poulakis et al. 2011, 2016). Small juveniles typically inhabit salinities between 18 and 30 parts per thousand (PPT) (the ocean is 35), sometimes far up rivers (Simpfendorfer et al. 2011; Poulakis et al. 2013). Adults are typically found in open water habitats from the shallows to depths of several hundred feet (up to 122 meters) (Seitz and Poulakis 2002; Poulakis and Seitz 2004; Graham et al. 2021), but have been encountered near coral reefs and occur inshore during the spring when females give bi
Habitat zone
both
Fishing zone
both
Typical depth
to 122 meters

How to catch

Not in the source.

Bait & lures

Not in the source.

Size

Not in the source.

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

No record catch is in the source.

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 135 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 169 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 2 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Florida

State guide · State species

common name local
Smalltooth sawfish
scientific name local
Pristis pectinata
water type local
saltwater
enrichment status
enriched
geo regions fl
Southeast · Inland South
range precision
region

Legacy Florida source profiles

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.