Black Grouper regulations in South Carolina

· 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
SC state waters (to 3 mi)	Open year-round	24 inch minimum	1 per person per day (gag or black grouper, not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate
Federal waters (3–200 mi)	May 1 – December 31	24 inch minimum	1 per person per day (gag or black grouper, not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate

Notes

Counts toward the 3-fish grouper/tilefish aggregate.
State waters (0–3 mi) have no closed season; federal closures from SAFMC apply beyond 3 mi and can change mid-year when catch limits are met — check safmc.net before an offshore trip.

Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording

Season: Open year-round in state waters
Size: 24 inch total length
Limit: 1 per person per day (gag or black grouper, not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate
statewide — as printed: “Black Grouper | Federal waters closed Jan 1 – Apr 30 | 1 per person per day (gag or black grouper, not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate | 24 inch total length”

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 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 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Black Grouper in South Carolina?

24 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.

How many Black Grouper can you keep per day in South Carolina?

1 per person per day (gag or black grouper, not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate.

When is Black Grouper season in South Carolina?

Open year-round.

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.