SlotGaugeCheck a catchRed Grouper regulations in North Carolina
Groupers · Saltwater · 2026 season
Red Grouper size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) | June 1 – December 31 | 20 inch minimum | 3-fish grouper/tilefish aggregate per person per day |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi, SAFMC) | June 1 – December 31 | 20 inch minimum | 3-fish grouper/tilefish aggregate per person per day |
Notes
- Closed Jan 1 – May 31.
- Counts toward the 3-fish grouper/tilefish aggregate per person per day (gag, black, snowy, misty, red, rock hind, red hind, coney, graysby, yellowedge, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, sand tilefish).
- Snapper-grouper gear rules: non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks with natural bait; a dehooking tool and a descending device (16 oz weight, 60 ft line) must be on board; fish must be landed with heads and fins intact.
- Federal rules apply in both state and SAFMC waters; seasons can close early when catch limits are met — check safmc.net/regulations.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- June 1 – December 31
- Size
- 20 inches total length
- Limit
- 3 per person per day in the grouper/tilefish aggregate
- NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “It shall be unlawful to possess red grouper, yellowfin (fireback) grouper, yellowmouth grouper or scamp less than 20 inches total length. ... It shall be unlawful to possess red grouper except from June 1 through December 31 each year”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the red grouper
Species of fish
The red grouper 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 is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Read more about Red grouper on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.
All 120 North Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Red Grouper in North Carolina?
20 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Red Grouper can you keep per day in North Carolina?
3-fish grouper/tilefish aggregate per person per day.
When is Red Grouper season in North Carolina?
June 1 – December 31.
Is my Red Grouper a keeper today?
A red grouper is a keeper today if it measures at least 20 inches, with a daily limit of 3.