Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) · Georgia lists none of its own
Vessel limit 2 per day.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Rectangular dark blotches over brassy-bronze spots; gently rounded preopercle (no gag notch). More on the black grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Black grouper in other states11 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for black grouper in Georgia?
24 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many black grouper can you keep in Georgia?
1 per day (gag or black grouper combined; max 2 per vessel), within 3-grouper aggregate. Aggregate: 3-grouper/tilefish aggregate.
When is black grouper season in Georgia?
May 1 – Dec 31 (shallow-water grouper spawning closure Jan 1 – Apr 30). As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
How current is this Georgia black grouper rule?
Source: SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026, last checked Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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