Goliath grouperin Florida (Gulf)
Epinephelus itajara
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for goliath grouper in state waters, out to 9 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 9 miles: federal waters
A different rule past the 9-mile line, written by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. Where the two differ, the water you are in decides.
Must be released immediately without removing fish from the water; a limited FWC harvest program exists in Florida state waters only.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Florida (Gulf) 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 (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appGoliath grouper in Florida (Gulf): the questions
Can you keep goliath grouper in Florida (Gulf)?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Florida (Gulf). 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 (Gulf) record goliath grouper?
680 lb, Fernandina Beach (1961).
How current is this Florida (Gulf) 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.