Anglers grouper fishing in Florida state and federal waters of the Atlantic, including state waters off Monroe County – Florida Keys, will be able to take home some of their catch starting May 1, when the season for several species reopens to recreational and commercial harvest. The following species will reopen to harvest May 1: gag, black, red, yellowmouth and yellowfin grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby.
The harvest of these species of grouper will remain open until December 31. These species are closed annually during their spawning season from Jan. 1 through April 30 each year as a measure to ensure the long-term sustainability of Atlantic grouper species. State waters in the Atlantic are from shore to 3 nautical miles out.
Recreational anglers targeting these species may not take more than three groupers per person, per day. Within this three-fish limit, anglers may possess only one gag or black grouper (not both).
Dehooking tools must be aboard commercial and recreational vessels for use as needed to remove hooks from reef fish, including Atlantic grouper.
More information about grouper bag and size limits, gear restrictions and fishing seasons, including a map of the Atlantic and Gulf grouper fishing boundaries, is available online at MyFWC.com/Fishing; select “Saltwater Fishing” then “Recreational Regulations” and “Groupers.”
Source: Grouper FWC Florida Keys
Atlantic Regulations (Including all state waters of Monroe County)
(both state and federal waters unless specified)
| Groupers | Min. Size Limit | Daily Bag Limit | Open Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate bag limit | 3 per person | ||
| Goliath/Nassau | Harvest prohibited | ||
| Gag | 24” TL | 1 Gag or Black within the 3 grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec. 31 |
| Black | 24” TL | 1 Gag or Black within the 3 grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec. 31 |
| Red | 20″ TL | Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec. 31 |
| Scamp | 20″ TL | Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec. 31 |
| Yellowfin | 20″ TL | Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec. 31 |
| Yellowmouth | 20″ TL | Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec. 31 |
| Rock Hind/Red Hind | None | Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec. 31 |
| Coney/Graysby | None | Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec. 31 |
| Yellowedge/Misty | None | Up to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate | |
| Warsaw/Speckled Hind | State: None
Federal: Harvest prohibited | State: 1 per vessel per day of each species
Federal: Harvest prohibited | State: Open year-round
Federal: Harvest prohibited |
| Snowy | None | State: 1 per person within the 3 grouper aggregate; Federal: 1 per vessel per day within the 3 grouper aggregate | State: Open year-round
Federal: Open May 1 – Aug. 31 |
| Reef fish as bait | must have heads and fins intact through landing | ||
