bottom

Gag Grouper

Mycteroperca microlepis

Cold-side bias compared to red grouper. Live bait on bottom.

Preferred depth60–250 ft

Holds onlimestone ledges, wrecks

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

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

Showing 2 of 12 regulations for North Carolina

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

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

Within 3-grouper aggregate. Federal Jan-Apr closure.

NC gag: 1/day, 24" TL.

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 in federal South Atlantic.

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