Florida waters to close to gray triggerfish and some grouper harvesting starting January 1
Updated: 12:48 PM EST Dec 23, 2025
Recreational anglers will face seasonal closures on popular reef fish starting Jan. 1 in Florida waters as part of annual conservation efforts.The harvest of gray triggerfish will be closed in Gulf state waters, while shallow water grouper species will be off-limits in Atlantic state waters, including Monroe County. Both closures are intended to protect fish populations during their critical spawning seasons.Gray triggerfishAccording to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, recreational harvest of gray triggerfish will remain closed through the end of February in Gulf state waters and reopen March 1, 2026.The closure affects all private vessels and applies only to state waters, which extend up to 9 nautical miles from shore in the Gulf. See all gray triggerfish rules from FWC here.Shallow-water grouperIn Atlantic state waters, the seasonal closure for shallow-water grouper begins on Jan. 1 and will last through April 30, 2026.The group includes black, gag, red, yellowfin, yellowmouth and scamp grouper, as well as rock hind, red hind, coney and graysby. The four-month closure is designed to protect these species during spawning activity. See all grouper rules from FWC here.Anglers fishing from private vessels are reminded to be enrolled in the State Reef Fish Survey, a program that helps the FWC collect data to monitor reef fish populations and inform future management decisions.More information about reef fish regulations and seasonal closures is available at MyFWC.com or through the Fish Rules App.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Recreational anglers will face seasonal closures on popular reef fish starting Jan. 1 in Florida waters as part of annual conservation efforts.
The harvest of gray triggerfish will be closed in Gulf state waters, while shallow water grouper species will be off-limits in Atlantic state waters, including Monroe County. Both closures are intended to protect fish populations during their critical spawning seasons.
Gray triggerfish
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, recreational harvest of gray triggerfish will remain closed through the end of February in Gulf state waters and reopen March 1, 2026.
The closure affects all private vessels and applies only to state waters, which extend up to 9 nautical miles from shore in the Gulf. See all gray triggerfish rules from FWC here.
Shallow-water grouper
In Atlantic state waters, the seasonal closure for shallow-water grouper begins on Jan. 1 and will last through April 30, 2026.
The group includes black, gag, red, yellowfin, yellowmouth and scamp grouper, as well as rock hind, red hind, coney and graysby. The four-month closure is designed to protect these species during spawning activity. See all grouper rules from FWC here.
Anglers fishing from private vessels are reminded to be enrolled in the State Reef Fish Survey, a program that helps the FWC collect data to monitor reef fish populations and inform future management decisions.
More information about reef fish regulations and seasonal closures is available at MyFWC.com or through the Fish Rules App.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.