Gag grouper will close for recreational harvest in most Gulf of Mexico state waters and all Gulf of Mexico federal waters January 1. Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties have a different season than the rest of the state because of their unique grouper fishery.
The season is expected to reopen June 1 in both state and federal waters. In the past few years the season has been closing before the end of the year due to the quota being met, but the size limit increase from twenty-two to twenty-four inches prevented that this year.