ORLANDO, Fla. — Local anglers heading out for gag or black grouper face a new two-fish boat limit starting today, Oct. 28.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s new recreational rules apply in Atlantic state waters, including all waters of Monroe County. They bring state regulations in line with recently implemented rules in neighboring Atlantic federal waters.
What anglers need to know
- Each boat may keep no more than two gag and black grouper combined.
- The individual limit remains one gag or one black grouper per person, per day.
- Captains and crew on for-hire trips may no longer keep their own bag limit.
The individual limit applies to anglers on both private boats and for-hire trips, but the boat’s total catch cannot exceed the new two-fish limit.
For example, two anglers could keep one gag each, one black grouper each, or one of each species. A boat with four anglers would still be limited to a total of two fish.
Why the rules changed
FWC approved the changes in 2024 to align state and federal regulations and help rebuild the gag grouper population.
The agency says consistent rules can support healthier fish stocks, help prevent federal closures, maintain fishing opportunities and make enforcement easier.
Check the rules before heading out
The boat limit does not replace other grouper regulations. Anglers should check current rules before keeping fish.
For complete regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine, select “Recreational Regulations,” then “Reef Fish” and “Grouper,” or check the Fish Rules App.
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