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Grouper Fishing Reopens May 1 in The Florida Keys

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.Grouper Fishing Species

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)

GroupersMin. Size LimitDaily Bag LimitOpen Season
Aggregate bag limit 3 per person 
Goliath/NassauHarvest prohibited
Gag24” TL1 Gag or Black within the 3 grouper aggregateOpen May 1-Dec. 31
Black24” TL1 Gag or Black within the 3 grouper aggregateOpen May 1-Dec. 31
Red20″ TLUp to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregateOpen May 1-Dec. 31
Scamp20″ TLUp to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregateOpen May 1-Dec. 31
Yellowfin20″ TLUp to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregateOpen May 1-Dec. 31
Yellowmouth20″ TLUp to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregateOpen May 1-Dec. 31
Rock Hind/Red HindNoneUp to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregateOpen May 1-Dec. 31
Coney/GraysbyNoneUp to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregateOpen May 1-Dec. 31
Yellowedge/MistyNoneUp to 3 per person within 3 grouper aggregate 
Warsaw/Speckled HindState: None

 

Federal: Harvest prohibited

State: 1 per vessel per day of each species

 

Federal: Harvest prohibited

State: Open year-round

 

Federal: Harvest prohibited

SnowyNoneState: 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 

 

 
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