SlotGaugeCheck a catchSnowy Grouper regulations in North Carolina
Groupers · Saltwater · 2026 season
Snowy Grouper size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi, SAFMC) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
Notes
- Closed now; the recreational season re-opens May 1, 2027. When open: 1 snowy grouper per vessel per day.
- 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
- Closed until May 1, 2027
- Size
- None
- Limit
- 1 per vessel per day when open, within the 3-fish grouper/tilefish aggregate
- NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “It shall be unlawful to possess snowy grouper taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The snowy grouper recreational season will re-open May 1, 2027. ... No more than one (1) snowy grouper per vessel per day.”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
Check your snowy grouper in seconds
Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's North Carolina rules.
Open SlotGauge for Snowy GrouperMore groupers
About the snowy grouper
Species of fish
The snowy 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 Snowy 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 Snowy Grouper in North Carolina?
No size limit in North Carolina state waters.
How many Snowy Grouper can you keep per day in North Carolina?
Possession prohibited (season re-opens May 1, 2027; then 1 per vessel per day).
When is Snowy Grouper season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Snowy Grouper a keeper today?
Snowy Grouper is closed to harvest. Release it.