Tilefish
Gulf State
Minimum Size Limit: None
Daily Bag Limit: 100 pounds or 2 per person, whichever is greater
Season: Open year-round
Atlantic State
Minimum Size Limit: None
Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person within the 3 grouper aggregate
Season: Open year-round
Federal - Gulf and Atlantic
Minimum Size Limit: None
Daily Bag Limit:
- Gulf: Included in the 20 reef fish aggregate
- Atlantic: 1 per person, within 3 grouper/tilefish aggregate
Season:
- Gulf: Year-round
- Atlantic: Closed for the remainder of 2025
Information on the Atlantic federal golden tilefish closure.
Gulf State
Minimum Size Limit: None
Daily Bag Limit: 100 pounds or 2 per person, whichever is greater
Atlantic State
Minimum Size Limit: None
Daily Bag Limit: 2 blueline tilefish within the three-fish aggregate bag limit for grouper and tilefish in Atlantic state waters.
Captain and crew bag limit retention prohibited.
Season: Open May 1 - August 31
Federal - Gulf and Atlantic
Minimum Size Limit: None
Daily Bag Limit:
- Gulf: Included in 20 reef fish aggregate
- Atlantic: 2 per person within the three-fish aggregate bag limit for grouper and tilefish.
- Captain and crew bag limit retention prohibited
Season:
- Gulf: Year round
- Atlantic: May 1 - August 31
Gear Requirements
Description
Tilefish inhabit the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope along the entire east coast of the United States and the Gulf of America south to Venezuela. They are found in waters from 250-1,500 feet deep, where bottom temperatures range from 49° to 58° F. Individuals live in cone-shaped burrows, and concentrate in small groups or pods. Females are smaller than males, although whether or not the species displays hermaphrodism is unknown. Tilefish feed during the day on the bottom on crustaceans, clams, snails, worms, anemones and sea cucumbers.
Image courtesy of Duane Raver