Georgia state waters, out to 3 miles
GA DNR CRD 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Same rule
The same size, bag and season past the 3-mile line, written by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Often mistaken for
Spanish mackerelLateral line slopes gently, keeps its spots. Tell them apart
False albacoreStockier, worm-track markings, no dipping lateral line. Tell them apartNot listed by Georgia: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Georgia state record
GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots. More on the king mackerel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
King mackerel in other states12 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for king mackerel in Georgia?
24 in fork length. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many king mackerel can you keep in Georgia?
3 per person per day.
When is king mackerel season in Georgia?
Open year-round.
What is the Georgia record king mackerel?
75 lb 12 oz (2004).
How current is this Georgia king mackerel 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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