Gag grouper season to start, other seasons to close
Gag grouper will open for recreational harvest in most state Gulf of Mexico waters and all federal Gulf waters on June 1 and will remain open through Dec. 31.
Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor and Jefferson counties opened on April 1 and will remain open through June 30. They will reopen on Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. Monroe County follows the Atlantic state season and opened on May 1.
Gulf state waters in Florida are from shore to nine nautical miles. Federal waters begin where state waters end and extend to 200 nautical miles.
The minimum size limit for gag grouper is 24 inches total length and the daily bag limit is two fish per person, within the four grouper per person aggregate limit.
In addition, the recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters closes on June 1 and will remain closed through July 31, reopening on Aug. 1.
Seasonal harvest closures help conserve Florida’s valuable greater amberjack and gray triggerfish populations and improve the fisheries for the future.
If you plan to fish for gag grouper, amberjack or gray triggerfish in state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal is required). To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/SRFS. Sign up today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations.”