Fishing Regulations and Seasonal Closures in the Gulf of America
Commercial and recreational seasonal closures and current status of federally managed Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico) species. Species not listed do not currently have seasonal closures or quotas.
NOAA Fisheries, together with the Gulf Council, manages fisheries in federal waters of the Gulf of America. Federal waters begin where state waters end and extends to 200 miles out.
This summary is intended to provide appropriate information to fishermen about fishing regulations in the Gulf of America. This summary is for general information purposes. Fishery Regulations are subject to changes. Any discrepancies between this information and the regulations as published in the Federal Register will be resolved in favor of the Federal Register. For more information on fishery regulations consult the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 50 CFR 622.
Federal Fishing Regs, Seasons, and Closures
NOTE: Fishing for certain species may be closed outside of the seasonal closure if an inseason closure has occurred. Please check our fishery bulletin page. Also, check out our Reef Fish Closure Projections Page for more information on how we determined the closure date for recreational reef fish closures.
NOTE: States may regulate vessels registered in that state and fishing in federal waters for species that do not have applicable federal regulations, or for which management has been delegated to the state.
NOTE: Federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels must comply with the more restrictive of federal or state reef fish regulations when fishing for reef fish in state waters.
Fishing Regulations(1) | Commercial | Recreational |
|---|---|---|
| None | None |
Cobia - East Coast Florida Zone | None | None |
| Cubera Snapper | None | None |
| Deep water grouper - Warsaw, Snowy, Speckled hind, Yellowedge | None Currently managed under an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. Anyone commercially fishing for this species must possess IFQ allocation and follow established protocols, see Current IFQ landings. | None |
| None Currently managed under an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. Anyone commercially fishing for this species must possess IFQ allocation and follow established protocols, see Current IFQ landings. |
|
| Gray Snapper | None | None |
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| HARVEST PROHIBITED | |
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| Hogfish | None | None |
| Jacks Complex- Almaco jack, banded rudderfish, lesser amberjack | None | None |
| Western Zone
Northern Zone
Southern Zone Gillnet
Southern Zone Hook & Line
| None |
| Lane Snapper | None | None |
| Mid-water snapper - Silk, wenchman, blackfin, queen snapper | None | None |
| Mutton Snapper | None | None |
| HARVEST PROHIBITED | |
| None Currently managed under an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. Anyone commercially fishing for this species must possess IFQ allocation and follow established protocols, see Current IFQ landings. |
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| None Currently managed under an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. Anyone commercially fishing for this species must possess IFQ allocation and follow established protocols, see Current IFQ landings. | For-Hire
PrivateUnder state management through Reef Fish Amendment 50 see Fishery Bulletin FB20-006 |
Shallow-water grouper (other): Black Grouper, | None Currently managed under an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. Anyone commercially fishing for this species must possess IFQ allocation and follow established protocols, see Current IFQ landings. |
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| Spanish Mackerel | None | None |
| Spiny Lobster | See State of Florida | See State of Florida |
| Tilefish - golden, goldface, and blueline | None Currently managed under an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. Anyone commercially fishing for this species must possess IFQ allocation and follow established protocols, see Current IFQ landings. | None |
| Vermilion Snapper | None | None |
| Yellowtail Snapper | None | None |
(1) This list will redirect to the Fish Rules app, web-based version.
(2) This closure occurs in the portion of the Gulf EEZ seaward of coordinates defined in the Federal regulations at paragraph (d) of § 622.34, Seasonal and area closures designed to protect Gulf reef fish. These coordinates approximate the 20-fathom depth contour.
NOTES
Recreational Information
- Allowable Gear
- For-Hire Fishing Permits
- All Recreational Anglers need a saltwater recreational fishing license or registration from a state or U.S. territory except Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Visit the National Saltwater Angler Registry to ensure you are registered. If you plan on fishing for highly migratory species—such as tunas and billfish, you will need to obtain an Atlantic highly migratory species permit.
Commercial Information
State Waters
- Federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels must comply with the more restrictive of federal or state reef fish regulations when fishing for reef fish in state waters.
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Alabama![]()
Florida![]()
Louisiana![]()
Mississippi![]()
Texas
More Information
- Sustainable Fisheries in the Gulf of America
- Gulf Council
- Southeast Region Annual Catch Limit Monitoring
- FISHERY BULLETINS: View or Sign up to stay up-to-date with fishery announcements
- Fish Rules App
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. Gulf of America references in this website refer to the same area as the Gulf of Mexico in the applicable regulations under 50 CFR parts 216–219, 222–226, and 600–699. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes, existing regulations, or previously published materials.