Gray Triggerfish

Gulf Fall Season

The recreational gray triggerfish season reopens to harvest in Gulf state and federal waters Sept. 1 and will remain open through Oct. 25, closing to harvest Oct. 26, 2020. NOAA Fisheries is reopening Gulf federal waters because data indicates the recreational quota for gray triggerfish was not met when the fishery was open earlier this spring. The FWC is also opening state waters to be consistent with the federal season and to provide additional harvest opportunities for recreational fishermen.

State Reef Fish Survey

The State Reef Fish Survey replaced the Gulf Reef Fish Survey on July 1, 2020. All anglers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida who intend to fish for or harvest certain reef fish from a private vessel are required to obtain the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Those with a Gulf Reef Fish Angler designation will meet the statewide requirement until the Gulf designation expires, even if you are fishing on the Atlantic coast.

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Regulations

Gulf State Waters

Minimum Size Limit: 15" fork length

Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person

2020 season: Open March 1-May 1 and Sept. 1-Oct. 25 (closed starting Oct. 26)

Atlantic State Waters

Minimum Size Limit: 12" fork length

Daily Bag Limit: 10 per person

Season: Open year-round

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

In the Atlantic reef fish fishery, gear rules require dehooking tools, and as of Jan. 1, 2021, non-stainless steel hooks in all state waters, and non-offset circle hooks N. of 28 ° N. latitude.

Other Regulations

Gear Requirements:

Legal Gear: hook and line, spears, gigs
Reef fish gear requirements apply

Federal Waters:

Gulf of Mexico: Open March 1-May 1 and Sept. 1-Oct. 25. Learn more. 15" FL; 1 fish bag limit within 20 reef fish aggregate.

Atlantic: 12” FL; up to 10 per person within the 20 fish “other” snapper grouper aggregate bag limit

Queen triggerfish are managed as marine life species and must be kept alive until landed. Learn more about regulations for this and other marine life species.