SlotGaugeCheck a catchYellowmouth Grouper regulations in South Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Yellowmouth Grouper size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | No minimum size | 3 per person per day in state waters; federal: 1 scamp or yellowmouth (not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | May 1 – December 31 | No minimum size | 3 per person per day in state waters; federal: 1 scamp or yellowmouth (not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate |
Notes
- A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' zones[federal].bag. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/fishing/snapper-grouper-complex-size-catch-limits
- 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
- None
- Limit
- 3 per person per day in state waters; federal: 1 scamp or yellowmouth (not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate
- statewide — as printed
- “Yellowmouth Grouper | Federal waters closed Jan 1 – Apr 30 | 3 per person per day in state waters; federal: 1 scamp or yellowmouth (not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate | None”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the yellowmouth grouper
Species of fish
The yellowmouth grouper, also known as the crossband rockfish, grey mannock, hamlet, harlequin rockfish, princess rockfish, rockfish, salmon grouper, salmon rock fish or scamp, 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 Caribbean and in the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also found in pockets in Brazil. It is a fairly large fish and it gets its name from the yellow around its mouth.
Read more about Mycteroperca interstitialis on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, not Wikipedia.
All 106 South Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Yellowmouth Grouper in South Carolina?
No minimum size in South Carolina state waters.
How many Yellowmouth Grouper can you keep per day in South Carolina?
3 per person per day in state waters; federal: 1 scamp or yellowmouth (not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate.
When is Yellowmouth Grouper season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Yellowmouth Grouper a keeper today?
Yellowmouth Grouper has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 3.