When can you keep grouper in the Florida Keys?
Black and red grouper from May 1 to December 31; FWC closes all shallow-water grouper from January 1 to April 30 in Monroe County. Gag grouper has its own season, which in 2026 ran May 1 to August 1. The limit is three grouper per person, no more than one gag or black.
Black, red and gag grouper
Black grouper run up to 48 inches and 180 pounds, common to 40 pounds, per FWC; NOAA says the U.S. stock is centred on the Florida Keys and is not overfished. Red grouper run up to 42 inches, common to about 15 pounds; NOAA says the South Atlantic stock is overfished but under a rebuilding plan. Gag run up to 36 inches, common to 25 pounds; NOAA lists the South Atlantic stock as overfished.
NOAA describes grouper as mild but distinct, somewhere between bass and halibut, and says many consider red grouper the tastier.
When to fish for grouper
The Keys tourism council grades black grouper Peak in January, February and December, but January to April is the closed season, so those winter grades are for catch-and-release only. Kept grouper come in May to December. Key West Fishing Deals runs night snapper and grouper trips from May to August, saying grouper emerge from holes after dark. The full table is on best time to go.
How Key West captains fish for grouper
Named by Gulfstream, Cora Beth, Low Tide, Wrecked, Blind Squirrel, Florida Straits, Charter Boat Linda D, Captain Conch, Key West Fishing Deals, Salty Goat, Shadow Caster, Wet Dream, Laid Back, Conch ’N Around and Eva Marie on their own websites or booking pages.
- Florida Straits Sportfishing bottom-fishes reef holes and wreck edges, where black and red grouper ambush prey.
- Cora Beth’s five-hour reef trip, within 15 miles of Key West, says red, black and gag are commonly caught.
- Blind Squirrel’s 12-hour Dry Tortugas trip fishes wrecks for black, red and gag.
- Captain Conch names sardines, squid and pinfish as top baits.
- Gulfstream’s party boat catches grouper bottom fishing and says whether one can be kept depends on the season.
Grouper limits and gear rules
On for-hire boats in the Atlantic, captain and crew may keep no gag or black grouper. Florida’s reef-fish gear rules apply: a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready, and non-stainless steel hooks south of 28° north. Source: FWC groupers and FWC gear rules.
| Grouper | Minimum size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 24 in TL | 1 gag or black, within 3 grouper | May 1 to Dec 31 (closed Jan 1 to Apr 30) |
| Red | 20 in TL | Up to 3, within 3 grouper | May 1 to Dec 31 (closed Jan 1 to Apr 30) |
| Gag | 24 in TL | 1 gag or black, within 3 grouper | 2026 season was May 1 to Aug 1; closed now |
| Goliath, Nassau | — | None: protected | — |
Which trip to book for grouper
A reef or wreck trip between May and December. Party boats ran $69.95–$99 a person and private half days $650–$1,199 per boat in the October 2026 scan. See reef fishing and party boat fishing.
Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: black grouper profile ; FWC: red grouper profile ; FWC: gag profile ; NOAA Fisheries: black grouper ; NOAA Fisheries: red grouper ; NOAA Fisheries: gag .
Check it at the source
- FWC — Grouper regulations Grouper seasons and limits, which differ between Atlantic and Gulf waters. Link checked 6 September 2026
- South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Federal management for snapper, grouper and reef species on the Atlantic side. Link checked 6 September 2026
Grouper: questions
When is grouper season in the Florida Keys?
Black and red grouper may be kept from May 1 to December 31; all shallow-water grouper is closed from January 1 to April 30 in Monroe County waters. Gag grouper has a shorter season set each year: in 2026 it ran May 1 to August 1 and is closed now.
How many grouper can you keep in Key West?
Three per person per day in total, of which no more than one may be a gag or black grouper. Black and gag must be at least 24 inches total length, red 20 inches. Goliath and Nassau grouper are protected and may never be kept.
Can you catch grouper in winter in the Keys?
You can catch them, but not keep them from January 1 to April 30, when FWC closes shallow-water grouper in Monroe County. Some calendars rate winter grouper fishing highly; those fish go back.
Next step
Looking for fishing trips in the Florida Keys?
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