Black Grouper regulations in Florida

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A black grouper is a keeper today if it measures at least 24 inches, with a daily limit of 1.

Black Grouper size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Atlantic state waters	May 1 – December 31	24 inch minimum	1 gag or black within the 3-grouper aggregate; 2 black per vessel
Gulf state waters	Open year-round	24 inch minimum	4 within the 4-grouper aggregate

Exact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 24" TL
Limit: 4 per person within 4 grouper aggregate
Gulf — as printed: “Gulf Black Grouper: Minimum Size: 24" TL; Daily Bag: 4 per person within 4 grouper aggregate; Season: Open year-round”
Atlantic — as printed: “Atlantic Black Grouper: Minimum Size: 24" TL; Daily Bag: 1 gag or black within the 3 grouper aggregate; Season: Open May 1-Dec. 31”

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).

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About the black grouper

Species of fish

Mycteroperca bonaci, the black grouper, black rockfish or marbled rockfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. Other fish are sometimes called the black grouper including the similar gag grouper, the misty grouper, and the warsaw grouper. This species is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from the northeastern United States to Brazil.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Black Grouper in Florida?

24 inch minimum in Florida state waters.

How many Black Grouper can you keep per day in Florida?

1 gag or black within the 3-grouper aggregate; 2 black per vessel.

When is Black Grouper season in Florida?

May 1 – December 31.

Is my Black Grouper a keeper today?

A black grouper is a keeper today if it measures at least 24 inches, with a daily limit of 1.