Georgia state waters, out to 3 miles
Current CRD table shows 25 in (older codified rule said 24); federal rules differ offshore.
GA DNR CRD 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
Recreational ACL met; closure effective Aug 2, 2026.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Often mistaken for
Black grouperRectangular dark blotches, brassy spots. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Georgia state record
GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Box-shaped worm markings in gray marble; darker fins with white edge on the anal. More on the gag grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Gag grouper in other states11 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for gag grouper in Georgia?
25 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many gag grouper can you keep in Georgia?
2 per person per day.
When is gag grouper season in Georgia?
Open year-round.
What is the Georgia record gag grouper?
38 lb (2002).
How current is this Georgia gag grouper rule?
Source: GA DNR CRD 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.
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