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Regulation Update

FWC approved rule changes for recreational harvest of Atlantic red porgy, snowy grouper and blueline tilefish to be consistent with current and pending regulations in adjacent Atlantic federal waters.

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Regulation Update

FWC approved a rule to require the possession of a descending device or venting tool that is rigged and ready for use on board a vessel when harvesting or attempting to harvest, including catch and release, of reef fish in state waters. This rule will also require the use a descending device or venting tool if a fish is exhibiting signs of barotrauma prior to release

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Regulation Update

Effective Jan. 1, 2023, there is no longer regional management for Gulf Gag Grouper. All Gulf state waters, excluding Monroe County, will be open Sept. 1 - Nov. 10th.

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STATE REEF FISH SURVEY

Have you signed up yet? Participation mandatory to fish for grouper in Florida waters.

Gulf of Mexico Regulations (state and federal waters unless specified, excluding all state waters of Monroe County)

Aggregate Bag Limit

May only possess/harvest no more than a total combination of 4 grouper species per person/per day

nassau grouper

Harvest Prohibited

Goliath Grouper

Harvest Prohibited without Permit

For more information on obtaining a permit through the Goliath Harvest Program, please visit MyFWC.com/Goliath.

gag

Min. Size Limit

24” TL

 

Daily Bag Limit

2 per person within 4 grouper aggregate

State only: 0 fish bag limit for Charter Captain and Crew

Season

Gag Grouper 2023 Regulation Map

Map

State and Federal: Open Sept. 1 - Nov. 10

black grouper

Min. Size Limit

24” TL

Daily Bag Limit

4 per person within 4 grouper aggregate

State only: 0 fish bag limit for Charter Captain and Crew

Season

State: Open year-round

Federal: Closed Feb. 1-March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms

"The Edges" closed Jan 1 - Apr 30

red grouper

Min. Size Limit

20" TL

Daily Bag Limit

2 per person within the 4 grouper aggregate

State only: 0 fish bag limit for Charter Captain and Crew

Season

State: Open year-round

Federal: Closed Feb. 1 - March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms

"The Edges" closed Jan.1 - April 31

scamp

Min. Size Limit

16" TL

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 4 per person within 4 grouper aggregate

Season

State: Open year-round

Federal: Closed Feb. 1-March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms

"The Edges" closed Jan 1 - Apr 30

yellow fin grouper

Min. Size Limit

20" TL

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 4 per person within 4 grouper aggregate

Season

State: Open year-round

Federal: Closed Feb. 1-March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms

"The Edges" closed Jan 1 - Apr 30

yellow mouth grouper

Min. Size Limit

State: 20" TL

Federal: None

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 4 per person within 4 grouper aggregate

Season

State: Open year-round

Federal: Closed Feb. 1-March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms

Min. Size Limit

None

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 4 per person within the 4 grouper aggregate

Season

Open year-round

Min. Size Limit

None

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 4 per person within the 4 grouper aggregate

Season

Open year-round

Min. Size Limit

None

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 4 per person within 4 grouper aggregate

Season

Open year-round

Min. Size Limit

None

Daily Bag Limit

1 of each per vessel within 4 grouper aggregate

Season

Open year-round

Min. Size Limit

None

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 4 per person within 4 grouper aggregate

Season

Open year-round

Reef fish gear requirements apply and must be landed with the head and fins intact.

Atlantic Regulations (state and federal waters unless specified; includes all state waters of Monroe County)

Aggregate bag limit

May only possess/harvest no more than a total combination of 3 grouper/tilefish species per person/per day

nassau grouper

Harvest Prohibited

goliath grouper

Harvest Prohibited without Permit

For more information on obtaining a permit through the Goliath Harvest Program, please visit MyFWC.com/Goliath.

gag

Min. Size Limit

24” TL

Daily Bag Limit

1 gag or black within the 3 grouper aggregate

Season

Gag Grouper 2023 Regulation Map

Open May 1-Dec. 31

black grouper

Min. Size Limit

24” TL

Daily Bag Limit

1 gag or black within the 3 grouper aggregate

Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Season

Open May 1-Dec. 31

red grouper

Min. Size Limit

20" TL

Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate

Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Season

Open May 1-Dec. 31

 

scamp

Min. Size Limit

20" TL

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate

Season

Open May 1-Dec. 31

yellow fin grouper

Min. Size Limit

20 in. TL

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate

Season

Open May 1-Dec. 31

yellow mouth grouper

Min. Size Limit

20" TL

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate

Season

Open May 1-Dec. 31

Min. Size Limit

None

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate

Special regulations apply for these species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Season

Open May 1-Dec. 31

Min. Size Limit

None

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate

Special regulations apply for these species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Season

Open May 1-Dec. 31

Min. Size Limit

None

Daily Bag Limit

Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate

Season

Open year-round

Min. Size Limit

State: None

Federal: Harvest prohibited

Daily Bag Limit

State: 1 per vessel per day of each species

Federal: Harvest prohibited

Season

State: Open year-round

Federal: Harvest prohibited

Min. Size Limit

None

Daily Bag Limit

State: 1 per person within the 3 grouper aggregate
Federal: 1 per vessel per day within the 3 grouper aggregate

Season

State: Open year-round

Federal: Open May 1 – Aug. 31

Reef fish gear requirements apply and must be landed with head and fins intact.

Return 'Em Right

A resource for anglers interested in best release practices

Shallow water grouper map

20-Fathom Map

Click for a larger PDF.

Several species of Gulf grouper (red, black, scamp, yellowfin and yellowmouth) are closed Feb. 1-March 31 seaward of the 20-fathom break. Recreational anglers are encouraged to use electronic charting equipment to plot the 20-fathom break by entering the established coordinates listed on the map below into a route.

Monroe County: Several species of Atlantic grouper (red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney and graysby) are closed Jan. 1 - April 30 in all state and federal waters of the Atlantic including all state waters off Monroe County (Atlantic and Gulf sides). During this closure, anglers can harvest grouper in open federal waters of the Gulf and return to port in Monroe County by traveling through closed state waters of the Atlantic as long as the vessel proceeds directly to port without stopping to fish.

Gag Grouper 2023 Regulation Map

Gag Grouper Management Map

Click for a larger PDF.