Gate Bay

Goliath grouper is a protected species. FWC rules stipulate that harvest and possession of Goliath Grouper is prohibited. Goliath Grouper that are caught but immediately returned to the water free, alive and unharmed are not harvested. The taking of photographs after removal of hooks and posing for pictures with Goliath Grouper is not considered an immediately release of the fish. So, you should NOT remove a Goliath Grouper from the water to take pictures. If you want pictures, take them with the fish still in the water.Location Specific InformationAnglers fishing for reef fish must have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to useGet the required release gear by completing a 15-minute training from Return 'Em Right at: http://returnemright.org/In March 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a limited, highly regulated recreational harvest of Goliath grouper in state waters beginning Spring 2023. This approved recreational harvest of Goliath grouper includes: A recreational harvest of up to 200 goliath per year, with a maximum of 50 from Everglades National Park. A required recreational goliath harvest permit and tag, issued via a random-draw lottery, to legally harvest a goliath ($150 for residents, $500 for non-residents). Limiting harvest to one fish per person per open season with permit and tag, non-transferable. A March 1 through May 31 season. Allowable gear will be hook-and-line only. A slot limit of 24 to 36 inches total length. Harvest would be permitted in all state waters except those of Martin County south through the Atlantic coast of the Keys, all of the St. Lucie River and its tributaries, and Dry Tortugas National Park. Post-harvest requirements, such as proper utilization of the harvest tag, reporting harvest data and submitting a fin clip for genetic analysis.

Southwest RegionRecreationalSlot limit: 15–19 inches total lengthBag limit: 3 per person/daySeason: Open year-roundOver-slot allowance:May possess no more than one fish per person or per vessel, whichever is less,that is greater than 19 inches total length, included in the bag limit. StatewideIllegal Gear: cannot harvest using any multiple hooks in conjunction with live or deadnatural bait; snatching prohibitedAllowable Gear: hook and line and cast netZero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip Southwest: All Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the Charlotte Harbor Region and all Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the Southeast Region, all waters of Collier County south of 26°15.227' North Latitude, all waters of Monroe County, and all waters of Everglades National Park.