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Red grouper: Florida size, bag and season

As of / last verified: against official sources · Source: FWC: Red grouper

Red grouper limit in Florida: 20 inches total length. Gulf state waters, excluding Monroe County, are open year-round at 2 per person inside the 4-grouper aggregate. Federal Gulf waters close February 1 through March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms. Atlantic waters, including Monroe County, are open May 1 through December 31 at up to 3 per person.

Quick answer

Size
20" total length
Gulf bag
2 per person within the 4 grouper aggregate. State waters: charter captain and crew 0
Gulf state season
Open year-round
Gulf federal season
Closed Feb. 1–March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms. The Edges closed Jan. 1 – April 30
Atlantic
Up to 3 per person within the 3 grouper aggregate. Open May 1–Dec. 31
Red grouper: side view for identification
Red grouper. Credit: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC. Public domain
Total length vs fork lengthTotal length runs from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the squeezed tail. Fork length runs from the tip of the snout to the center of the tail fork.How FWC measures fishTOTAL LENGTH: mouth closed → tip of squeezed tailFORK LENGTH: snout → center of tail forkTL species include: red drum, snook, spotted seatrout, weakfish, snappers, groupers, flounder, sheepsheadFL species include: pompano, permit, Spanish & king mackerel, cobia, amberjacks, hogfish, dolphin
Measure in a straight line with the fish on its side; don't follow its curve. Red grouper are measured in total length. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Red grouper limits

WatersSizeBagSeason
Gulf state, excluding Monroe County20" total length2 per person within the 4 grouper aggregate. Charter captain and crew: 0Open year-round
Gulf federal, excluding Monroe County20" total length2 per person within the 4 grouper aggregateClosed Feb. 1–March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms. The Edges closed Jan. 1 – April 30
Atlantic state and federal, including Monroe County state waters20" total lengthUp to 3 per person within the 3 grouper aggregateOpen May 1–Dec. 31

Monroe County: red grouper are closed January 1 through April 30 in all Atlantic state and federal waters, including all state waters off Monroe County on both the Atlantic and Gulf sides. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park. Reef fish gear rules apply. Fish must be landed with head and fins intact. State Reef Fish Survey participation is mandatory to fish for grouper.

How do you identify Red grouper?

Look-alikes

Where and when to catch Red grouper in Florida?

Red grouper are bottom fish over hard and muddy bottoms. FWC says juveniles are found offshore along with adults older than 6 years, while fish from 1 to 6 years occupy nearshore reefs. They spawn in April and May and prefer water between 66 and 77 degrees F. Young fish are female and can become male. They eat fish and invertebrates and can live at least 25 years. Gulf rules exclude Monroe County state waters; those waters are under the Atlantic rules, including the January 1 through April 30 closure.

Piers and bridges

Regions

Related rules on this site

Frequently asked questions

What is the red grouper size limit?

20 inches total length in Gulf and Atlantic waters.

What is the red grouper bag limit?

Gulf: 2 per person within the 4-grouper aggregate, and in state waters the charter captain and crew bag is zero. Atlantic: up to 3 per person within the 3-grouper aggregate.

When is red grouper closed?

Gulf state waters are open year-round, excluding Monroe County. Gulf federal waters are closed February 1 through March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms, and The Edges are closed January 1 through April 30. Atlantic waters, including Monroe County state waters, are open May 1 through December 31. Monroe County state waters on both sides are closed January 1 through April 30.

How do you tell a red grouper from a Nassau grouper?

FWC says Nassau grouper have a large black spot on the caudal peduncle. Red grouper do not. Nassau grouper harvest is prohibited.

Official sources

Last verified: October 14, 2026.

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Disclaimer: This page is a plain-English summary for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules, seasons and boundaries can change at short notice, including by emergency order. Always check the current regulations on MyFWC.com before you fish.