Alabama state waters, out to 3 miles
SizeHarvest prohibited
BagZeroCounts toward the Prohibited Species aggregate
SeasonClosed year-round
AL MRD 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
SizeNo harvest
BagNo harvest or possession
SeasonClosed year-round
Must be released immediately without removing fish from the water.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
How to tell it
Five dark bars, tuning-fork mark on the forehead, dark saddle on the tail base. More on the Nassau grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Nassau grouper in other states11 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep Nassau grouper in Alabama?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Alabama. Release it in the water where you can.
How current is this Alabama Nassau grouper rule?
Source: AL MRD 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at a Nassau grouper in Alabama and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the app