Goliath grouperin Florida (Atlantic)
Epinephelus itajara
The rule in Florida (Atlantic)
Florida (Atlantic)’s own rule for goliath grouper in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Lottery permit holders: 1 fish, 24-36 in slot, Mar 1-May 31; Atlantic Keys/Martin County and federal waters excluded.
FWC 2026· checked Put it back
Beyond 3 miles: federal waters
A different rule past the 3-mile line, written by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Where the two differ, the water you are in decides.
Must be released immediately in federal waters.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Florida (Atlantic) state record
680 lb, Fernandina Beach, 1961. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Enormous rounded tan-brown grouper with small eyes and faint bars; can top 500 lb. More on the goliath grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Goliath grouper in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a goliath grouper in Florida (Atlantic) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appGoliath grouper in Florida (Atlantic): the questions
Can you keep goliath grouper in Florida (Atlantic)?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Florida (Atlantic). Release it in the water where you can. Lottery permit holders: 1 fish, 24-36 in slot, Mar 1-May 31; Atlantic Keys/Martin County and federal waters excluded.
What is the Florida (Atlantic) record goliath grouper?
680 lb, Fernandina Beach (1961).
How current is this Florida (Atlantic) goliath grouper rule?
Source: FWC 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.