SlotGaugeCheck a catchGag Grouper regulations in Florida
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Gag Grouper size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic state waters | May 1 – August 1 | 24 inch minimum | 1 gag or black per person within the 3-grouper aggregate; 2 gag per vessel |
| Gulf state waters | September 1 – September 30 | 24 inch minimum | 2 per person within the 4-grouper aggregate |
Notes
- Gulf gag season 2026: September 1–30 only.
Exact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wording
- Season
- Open September 1-30, 2026
- Size
- 24" TL
- Limit
- 2 per person within 4 grouper aggregate
- Gulf — as printed
- “Gulf Gag Grouper: Minimum Size: 24" TL; Daily Bag: 2 per person within 4 grouper aggregate; Season: Open September 1-30, 2026”
- Atlantic — as printed
- “Atlantic Gag Grouper: Minimum Size: 24" TL; Daily Bag: 1 gag or black within the 3 grouper aggregate; Vessel Limit: 2 gag per vessel per day; Season: Open May 1 - August 1”
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the gag grouper
Species of fish
The gag grouper, also known as velvet rockfish, the gag, or charcoal belly, 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. It comes from warmer parts of the West Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It is a drab, mottled-gray fish lacking the distinguishing features of most other groupers. Its pattern of markings resemble the box-shaped spots of the black grouper. It lacks the streamer-points on the tail fin that scamp and yellowmouth grouper have and lacks yellow coloration around the mouth.
Read more about Mycteroperca microlepis on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, not Wikipedia.
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Gag Grouper in Florida?
24 inch minimum in Florida state waters.
How many Gag Grouper can you keep per day in Florida?
1 gag or black per person within the 3-grouper aggregate; 2 gag per vessel.
When is Gag Grouper season in Florida?
May 1 – August 1.
Is my Gag Grouper a keeper today?
The gag grouper season is closed today. It is open May 1 – August 1.