Red Grouper

Red Grouper Fishing in Florida

Red grouper is open year-round in Gulf state waters (not including Monroe County). In Gulf federal waters it is closed February 1 to March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms, and "the edges" are closed January 1 to April 30. In the Atlantic, including all Monroe County state waters, it is open May 1 to December 31.

Florida rules from FWC and NOAA Fisheries, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC and NOAA Fisheries in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 42.25 lb St. Augustine Inlet · March 9, 1997 · Del Wiseman, Jr.

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to 42 inches and 50 pounds; common to 20 inches
Where it livesOver hard and muddy bottoms. Fish 1 to 6 years old live on nearshore reefs
What it eatsA variety of fishes and invertebrates

FWC says red grouper spawn in April and May and prefer water between 66 and 77 degrees.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • Gulf or Atlantic is the first question, and Monroe County is the trap: all state waters off Monroe County follow the ATLANTIC rules, on both the Atlantic and the Gulf side.
  • In the Gulf, federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom break are closed to red grouper February 1 to March 31, and "the edges" are closed January 1 to April 30. Gulf state waters (not including Monroe County) are open year-round.
  • In Gulf state waters, the charter captain and crew have a 0-fish bag limit for red grouper.
  • Participation in the State Reef Fish Survey is mandatory to fish for grouper in Florida waters.

Gulf: red: when you can keep one

Gulf state and federal waters, not including the state waters of Monroe County.

  • State watersOpen year roundFWC.
  • Federal waters seaward of 20 fathomsHarvest closed February 1 to March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms; "the edges" closed January 1 to April 30.Applies to red, black, scamp, yellowfin and yellowmouth.
20 inches total lengthSize limit
2 per personDaily limit. Counts inside the Gulf limit of 4 grouper per person per day.

Atlantic: red: when you can keep one

Atlantic state and federal waters, including Monroe County state waters.

  • All anglersOpen May 1 to December 31FWC. Also closed January 1 to April 30 along with several other Atlantic grouper.
20 inches total length. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.Size limit
Up to 3 per person. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.Daily limit. Counts inside the Atlantic limit of 3 grouper or tilefish per person per day.

Gear rules

Reef fish gear rules apply and grouper must be landed with head and fins intact. In Gulf state waters that means non-stainless, non-offset circle hooks with natural bait, a dehooking device, and a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready. In the Atlantic the circle hook rule splits at 28 degrees north.

Questions about red grouper

How big does a red grouper have to be?

20 inches total length, on both coasts.

How many red grouper can I keep?

In the Gulf, 2 per person inside the 4-grouper daily limit. In the Atlantic, up to 3 per person inside the 3-fish grouper and tilefish limit.

When is red grouper closed?

In the Atlantic and all Monroe County state waters, January 1 to April 30. In the Gulf, federal waters seaward of 20 fathoms are closed February 1 to March 31, and "the edges" are closed January 1 to April 30. Gulf state waters are open year-round.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, grouper regulations and FWC, reef fish gear rules and NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Gulf gag season and NOAA Fisheries, 2026 South Atlantic gag season and FWC, red grouper profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.