SlotGaugeCheck a catchBillfish regulations in Georgia
Billfish · Saltwater · 2026 season
Billfish size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| GA state waters (to 3 nm) | Open year-round | Federal HMS minimum sizes apply | Federal HMS rules apply — no separate Georgia limit |
| Federal waters (3–200 nm) | Open year-round | Federal HMS minimum sizes apply | Federal HMS rules apply |
Notes
- Georgia sets no state limit on blue marlin, white marlin or sailfish — you may land them in Georgia only if you follow all federal HMS rules (permit, sizes, reporting).
- Check NOAA Atlantic HMS regulations before keeping any billfish: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/overview
Exact Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division wording
- Season
- See federal regulations
- Size
- See federal regulations
- Limit
- See federal regulations
- GA state waters (to 3 nm) — as printed
- “Billfish (Blue marlin, White marlin, Sailfish)* | Billfish may be landed in Georgia, provided the angler complies with all federal regulations. Visit CoastalGaDNR.org/HMS for federal regulations.”
Source: Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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Open SlotGauge for BillfishAbout the billfish
Group of ray-finned fishes
The billfish are saltwater predatory ray-finned fish from the superfamily Xiphioidea, characterised by prominent pointed bills (rostra), and by their large size; some are longer than 4 m (13 ft). Extant billfish include sailfish and marlin, which make up the family Istiophoridae; and swordfish, sole member of the family Xiphiidae. They are often apex predators which feed on a wide variety of smaller fish, crustaceans and cephalopods.
Read more about Billfish on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division, not Wikipedia.
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Billfish in Georgia?
Federal HMS minimum sizes apply in Georgia state waters.
How many Billfish can you keep per day in Georgia?
Federal HMS rules apply — no separate Georgia limit.
When is Billfish season in Georgia?
Open year-round.
Is my Billfish a keeper today?
Billfish has no size limit today, with Federal HMS rules apply — no separate Georgia limit.