Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) · Georgia lists none of its own
Must be released immediately in federal waters.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Georgia state record
GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · 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 states11 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask3
Can you keep goliath grouper in Georgia?
No. Harvest is prohibited in South Atlantic federal waters waters, and Georgia lists no rule of its own. Release it in the water where you can. Must be released immediately in federal waters.
What is the Georgia record goliath grouper?
124 lb (1976).
How current is this Georgia goliath 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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