Gag Grouper (also known as Gag, Grouper) in Florida. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the FWC guide, 2026.
In Florida, the minimum legal size for Gag Grouper is 24 in and the daily bag limit is 2 per person (Gulf, within a 4-grouper aggregate; Atlantic differs — see notes). Season note: Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current Florida rules (including open dates, depth and area) before keeping fish.
Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current Florida rules (including open dates, depth and area) before keeping fish.
Gulf vs Atlantic differ: Gulf = 4-grouper aggregate with up to 2 gag; Atlantic = 3-grouper/tilefish aggregate with only 1 gag or black combined, plus a 2-gag-per-vessel/day Atlantic vessel limit. Seasons differ (Gulf vs Atlantic). Monroe County (Keys) follows the Atlantic season. STATE waters: Gulf = shore to 9 nautical miles; Atlantic = shore to 3 nautical miles. Seasons and aggregate/sub-limit rules differ materially between Gulf and Atlantic state waters, and between state and federal waters. The State Reef Fish Survey (State Reef Fish Angler designation) is mandatory to fish for grouper from a private recreational vessel.
These limits are pulled from the FWC recreational saltwater size and bag limits. Last verified September 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
Florida requires a recreational saltwater fishing licence to take saltwater species (residents can get a no-cost Resident Saltwater Shoreline licence for shore fishing). A snook or tarpon permit is needed for those species. Florida saltwater licences.
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