Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
No-take coastwide under federal rules; VA itself lists only the 1-fish grouper aggregate
VMRC 2026 · checked · likely · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Five dark bars, tuning-fork mark on the forehead, dark saddle on the tail base. More on the Nassau grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Nassau grouper in other states11 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep Nassau grouper in Virginia?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Virginia. Release it in the water where you can. No-take coastwide under federal rules; VA itself lists only the 1-fish grouper aggregate
How current is this Virginia Nassau grouper rule?
Source: VMRC 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a Nassau grouper in Virginia and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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