Hogfish
Lachnolaimus maximus
Also called Hog snapper.
How to tell it
Pig-like snout, first three dorsal spines drawn into long streamers, big males blush deep red.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No size limit | 20-fish reef fish aggregate | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 16 in fork length min | 1 per person | Open May 1-Oct 31FWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 14 in fork length min | 5 per person | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| GeorgiaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | 17 in fork length (NC/SC/GA) | 2 per person per day (NC/SC/GA) | Open year-round off NC, SC, GASAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | 14 in fork length | 5 per person | Open year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 14 in fork length minimum | 5 per person per day | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | 17 in FL min | 2/day | Open year-roundNC DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 17 in fork length | 2/day | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| TexasFederal rule (Gulf federal waters) | 14 in fork length | 5 per person | Open year-roundNOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 24.2 lb | 2022 · Panama City Beach | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| North Carolina | 21 lb 6 oz | 2005 · Frying Pan Shoals | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 21 lb 15 oz | 2011 · Charleston | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Excellent; some ciguatera risk on southern reefs.
In the app
Point the camera at a hogfish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about hogfish
What is the size limit for hogfish?
It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): 16 in fork length min; Florida (Gulf): 14 in fork length min; Georgia: 17 in fork length (NC/SC/GA); Louisiana: 14 in fork length; Mississippi: 14 in fork length minimum; North Carolina: 17 in FL min; South Carolina: 17 in fork length; Texas: 14 in fork length.
How many hogfish can you keep?
Alabama: 20-fish reef fish aggregate; Florida (Atlantic): 1 per person; Florida (Gulf): 5 per person; Georgia: 2 per person per day (NC/SC/GA); Louisiana: 5 per person; Mississippi: 5 per person per day; North Carolina: 2/day; South Carolina: 2/day; and more in the table above.
When is hogfish season?
Florida (Atlantic): Open May 1-Oct 31.
What is the record hogfish?
24.2 lb in Florida (2022), Panama City Beach. Other states’ records are in the table.