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Black Grouper

Mycteroperca bonaci

The premier Keys grouper — out-sizes gag, prefers reefs and ledges. Live bait on heavy gear, fast retrieve off the bottom.

Preferred water temp65–85°F
Preferred depth60–400 ft
Peak monthsApr, May, Sep, Oct
Holds onhard bottom, ledges, wrecks, high relief

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandLouisiana GulfSouth Carolina CoastNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)Georgia CoastTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 8 of 8 regulations

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round
Bag limit
1 / angler / day
Vessel limit
2 total / vessel / day
Minimum
24″ TL (total length)
Season
  • Invalid Date → Invalid Date

Grouped with gag in SC. Closed Jun 26 - Apr 30.

SC black grouper: matches gag rules.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round
Bag limit
4 / angler / day
Minimum
24″ TL (total length)

Alabama black grouper: 4/day, 24" TL.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round
Bag limit
4 / angler / day
Minimum
24″ TL (total length)

Texas black grouper: 4/day, 24" TL.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Currently OPENSeasonal
Bag limit
2 / angler / day
Vessel limit
6 total / vessel / day
Minimum
22″ TL (total length)
Season
  • Jan 1, 2026 → Nov 30, 2026Closed Dec — protect Nassau-grouper spawning aggregations (groupers often co-occur)

Closed during Nassau grouper spawning aggregation closure (Dec 1 – Feb 28 depending on year). Some marine reserves (Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park) prohibit all grouper take.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENSeasonal
Bag limit
4 / angler / day
Minimum
24″ TL (total length)
Season
  • May 1, 2026 → Dec 31, 2026Atlantic open season

Atlantic shallow-water grouper closure Jan 1 – Apr 30 each year. 4/person within 4-fish grouper aggregate.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENSeasonal
Bag limit
4 / angler / day
Minimum
24″ TL (total length)
Season
  • Jun 1, 2026 → Dec 31, 2026Gulf open season (state)

Gulf state-waters grouper closure Feb 1 – Mar 31. Federal Gulf open year-round but check current rule. 4-fish aggregate.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENSeasonal
Bag limit
1 / angler / day
Minimum
24″ TL (total length)
Season
  • May 1, 2026 → Dec 31, 2026Closed Jan 1 – Apr 30 alongside gag in fed South Atlantic.

Federal South Atlantic: 1/angler within snapper-grouper aggregate, 24" TL min, closed Jan-Apr.

FEDERAL

Federal Gulf (9–200 nm) — GMFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round
Bag limit
2 / angler / day
Minimum
24″ TL (total length)

Federal Gulf: 2/angler within 4-grouper Gulf aggregate, 24" TL min, year-round.