Recreational Gray Triggerfish Season Opens Aug. 1 in Gulf Waters
By Staff Report
July 31, 2025
Florida anglers now have the opportunity to target gray triggerfish, whose season started Thursday, Aug. 1, as the 2025 recreational season reopens in both state and federal Gulf waters. The season will remain open through Dec. 31 and is scheduled to close Jan. 1, 2026.
Gray triggerfish are managed under distinct regulations in Gulf and Atlantic state waters. In Gulf state waters, the minimum size limit is 15 inches fork length, and the daily bag limit is one fish per person. The open seasons in the Gulf run from March 1 through May 31 and again from Aug. 1 through the end of the year.
In contrast, Atlantic state waters have a smaller minimum size limit of 12 inches fork length and a more generous daily bag limit of 10 fish per person. The Atlantic season is open year-round, although special regulations apply within Biscayne National Park.
Only legal gear such as hook-and-line, spears, and gigs may be used to harvest gray triggerfish. Reef fish gear requirements also apply.
To support Florida’s reef fish management efforts, anglers fishing from private recreational vessels in Gulf waters are required to enroll in the State Reef Fish Angler Designation program. Participants may be randomly selected to complete a mail survey for the State Reef Fish Survey, a key tool used to improve recreational fishing data and support sustainable fishery practices.
More information about the State Reef Fish Survey is available at MyFWC.com/SRFS. For the most current recreational regulations on gray triggerfish, visit https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/triggerfish.
