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- Accessibility Accommodations
- Fishing & Hunting
- Commercial
- Commercial Licenses
- Commercial Saltwater
- Commercial Freshwater
- CLS Online Login
- Charter Licenses
- Vessel Pier Licenses
- Commercial Licenses
- Wildlife
- Wildlife Permits
- Nuisance Wildlife Permits
- Captive Wildlife Permits
- More ...
- Application Forms
- Boating & Navigation
- Recreational
- Resolve a Wildlife Conflict
- Wildlife Alert
- Report a Violation
- Know the Rules
- Captive Wildlife
- Saltwater Recreational Regulations
- Freshwater Recreational Regulations
- Hunting Regulations
- Boating Regulations
- See All
- Resolve Wildlife Conflict
- Learn to Unhook Seabirds
- Living with Wildlife
- Bear
- Bats
- Coyote
- Alligators and Crocodiles
- Shorebirds/Seabirds
- Snakes
- See All
- Report Issues
- Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
- Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
- Report Fish Kills
- Red Tide Status
- Report Sightings of Nonnative Species
- Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees
- See All
- Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
- Wildlife Alert
- Engaging in Conservation
- Conservation
- Value of Conservation
- Living with Wildlife
- Freshwater Programs
- Saltwater Programs
- Terrestrial Programs
- Stash the trash
- Special Initiatives
- Coastal Wildlife
- State Wildlife Action Plan
- See All
- Wildlife and Habitats
- Wildlife Conservation
- Nonnative Species
- Species Profiles
- Alligator
- Bald Eagle
- Bear
- Gopher Tortoise
- Manatee
- Panther
- Sea Turtle
- See All
- How You Can Conserve
- Install Wildlife Lighting
- Exotic Pet Amnesty
- Habitat Management
- Working with Private Landowners
- Invasive Plants
- Prescribed Fire
- Management Plans
- Aquatic Habitat Conservation
- See All
- Education
- Educators
- Outdoor Skills
- Learn about Wildlife
- See All
- Research
- Freshwater
- GIS and Mapping
- Habitat
- Manatee
- Red Tide
- Saltwater
- Wildlife
- Publications
- About
- Conservation
- Things To Do
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Recreational Regulations
- Commercial Regulations
- Fish Identification
- Fishing Education
- Sites & Forecasts
- See All
- Saltwater Fishing
- Recreational Regulations
- Commercial Regulations
- Fish Identification
- Saltwater Fishing Clinics
- Provide Comments
- See All
- Freshwater Fishing
- Hunting
- Regulations
- WMA Brochures
- Season Dates
- Hunter Safety
- Limited Entry Hunts
- New Hunter
- Public Shooting Ranges
- Alligator
- Deer
- Dove
- Turkey
- Quail
- Waterfowl
- Wild Hog
- Regulations
- Wildlife Recreation
- Wildlife Viewing
- Where to View Wildlife
- How to View Wildlife
- Backyards and Beyond
- Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
- See All
- Recreation on Wild Lands
- What are WMAS?
- Explore by name
- Explore by map
- What to Do
- See All
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Regulations
- Safety & Education
- Safety Equipment
- ID Cards
- Courses
- See All
- Boat Ramps & Access
- Derelict Vessels
- Stash the trash
- Wear It Florida
- Wildlife Alert
- Fishing
- Places To Go
- WMAs
- WMA Brochures
- Area Opened/Closed Status
- What are Wildlife Management Areas?
- Explore By Name
- Explore the Map
- See All
- WMA Brochures
- Recreation
- Where to Go
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- See All
- Outfitters and Guides
- Where to Go
- Public Shooting Ranges
- Range Safety Rules
- Safety & Education
- Map of public shooting ranges
- Go Outdoors Florida!
- Discover Wildlands
- Fishing Sites & Forecasts
- Boating Ramps & Access
- Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail
- Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network
- Calendar of Events
- Artificial Reefs
- WMAs
- About Us
- About
- Inside FWC
- Research Institute
- Hunting and Game Management
- Freshwater Fisheries Management
- Law Enforcement
- Habitat and Species Conservation
- Marine Fisheries Management
- See All
- Inside FWC
- Commission
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- Commissioners
- Agency Overview
- Strategic Planning
- Rules & Regulations
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- Sign up for news releases
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STATE REEF FISH SURVEY
Have you signed up yet? Participation mandatory to fish for grouper in Florida waters.
Learn MoreGulf of America Regulations (for state and federal waters unless specified, excluding all state waters of Monroe County; Gulf state waters are from shore to 9 miles)
Expand All | Collapse All Aggregate bag limit Expand/Collapse Aggregate bag limitAggregate Bag Limit
May only possess/harvest no more than a total combination of 4 grouper species per person/per day
Nassau Expand/Collapse Nassau
Harvest Prohibited
Goliath Expand/Collapse Goliath
Harvest Prohibited without Permit
For more information on obtaining a permit through the Goliath Harvest Program, please visit MyFWC.com/Goliath.
Gag Expand/Collapse Gag
Min. Size Limit
24” TL
Daily Bag Limit
2 per person within 4 grouper aggregate
0 fish bag limit for Charter Captain and Crew
Season
Closed Sept. 15, 2025 - Sept. 1, 2026
Black Expand/Collapse Black
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 Expand/Collapse Red
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 from Jan. 1 - April 30.
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
Yellowfin Expand/Collapse Yellowfin
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
Yellowmouth Expand/Collapse Yellowmouth
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
Rock Hind/Red Hind Expand/Collapse Rock Hind/Red HindMin. Size Limit
None
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 4 per person within the 4 grouper aggregate
Season
Open year-round
Coney/Graysby Expand/Collapse Coney/GraysbyMin. Size Limit
None
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 4 per person within the 4 grouper aggregate
Season
Open year-round
Yellowedge/Misty Expand/Collapse Yellowedge/MistyMin. Size Limit
None
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 4 per person within 4 grouper aggregate
Season
Open year-round
Warsaw/Speckled Hind Expand/Collapse Warsaw/Speckled HindMin. Size Limit
None
Daily Bag Limit
1 of each per vessel within 4 grouper aggregate
Season
Open year-round
Snowy Expand/Collapse SnowyMin. 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 (for state and federal waters unless specified, including all state waters of Monroe County; Atlantic state waters are from shore to 3 miles)
Expand All | Collapse All Aggregate bag limit Expand/Collapse Aggregate bag limitAggregate bag limit
May only possess/harvest no more than a total combination of 3 grouper/tilefish species per person/per day
Nassau Expand/Collapse Nassau Harvest Prohibited
Goliath Expand/Collapse Goliath
Harvest Prohibited without Permit
For more information on obtaining a permit through the Goliath Harvest Program, please visit MyFWC.com/Goliath.
Gag Expand/Collapse Gag Min. Size Limit
24” TL
Daily Bag Limit
State: 1 gag or black within the 3 grouper aggregate
Federal: 1 gag or black within the 3 grouper aggregate
- Vessel Limit: 2 gag per vessel per day, not to exceed the daily bag limit, whichever is more restrictive
- For-hire captain and crew retention prohibited
Season
State and Federal: Closed June 26, 2025 - May 1, 2026
Black Expand/Collapse Black Min. Size Limit
24” TL
Daily Bag Limit
State: 1 gag or black within the 3 grouper aggregate
- Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Federal: 1 gag or black within the 3 grouper aggregate
- Vessel limit: 2 black per vessel per day, not to exceed the daily bag limit, whichever is more restrictive
- For-hire captain and crew retention prohibited
Season
Open May 1-Dec. 31
Red Expand/Collapse Red 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 Expand/Collapse Scamp
Min. Size Limit
20" TL
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate
Season
Open May 1-Dec. 31
Yellowfin Expand/Collapse Yellowfin Min. Size Limit
20 in. TL
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate
Season
Open May 1-Dec. 31
Yellowmouth Expand/Collapse Yellowmouth Min. Size Limit
20" TL
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate
Season
Open May 1-Dec. 31
Rock Hind/Red Hind Expand/Collapse Rock Hind/Red HindMin. 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
Coney/Graysby Expand/Collapse Coney/GraysbyMin. 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
Yellowedge/Misty Expand/Collapse Yellowedge/MistyMin. Size Limit
None
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate
Season
Open year-round
Warsaw/Speckled Hind Expand/Collapse Warsaw/Speckled HindMin. 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
Snowy Expand/Collapse SnowyMin. Size Limit
None
Daily Bag Limit
State: 1 per vessel per day within the 3 grouper aggregateFederal: 1 per vessel per day within the 3 grouper aggregate
Season
Open May 1 - June 30
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
Learn more
20-Fathom Map
View larger version of map.
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.
Additional Grouper Resources
- State Reef Fish Rule, 68B-14, F.A.C.
- Gulf Council
- NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office
- Grouper Stock Assessments (SEDAR)
Grouper biology information
- Gag Grouper
- Black Grouper
- Red Grouper
- Scamp
- Yellowfin Grouper
- Yellowmouth Grouper
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