Red Grouper in Alabama
Alabama red grouper: creel, season and waters.
- 2 a daycreel
- 34 lbs. 9.6 ozs.record
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The Alabama picture for red grouper
For red grouper, the governing saltwater line reads "Red Grouper*** (#)". The row sets 2 per person; 20" min tl, and its season is state waters; see seasons.
Michael Dale Sargent, Jr. set the Alabama mark of 34 lbs. 9.6 ozs. in 2002, at a water ADCNR does not print.
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| Row as printed | Waters | Creel and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Grouper*** (#) | Alabama state waters | 2 per person; 20" min TL | state waters; see seasons |
Alabama state waters open and close along with federal regulations.
Limits as printed by the ADCNR Marine Resources Division recreational size, creel and possession limits for state waters (MRD limits page), read November 1, 2026.
Record red grouper certified in Alabama
| List | Weight | Angler | Water | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| saltwater | 34 lbs. 9.6 ozs. | Michael Dale Sargent, Jr. | Alabama waters (no water printed) | March 23, 2002 |
ADCNR (Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division for freshwater; Marine Resources Division State Record Fish Committee for saltwater); freshwater list, saltwater list, read November 1, 2026.
Keeping red grouper needs the reef fish endorsement
The Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement applies to it; ADCNR allows no exemptions from that endorsement.
The endorsement costs $10 a year for residents and nonresidents alike in 2026-27.
ADCNR license page in the Official 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest (ADCNR, eRegulations edition), read November 1, 2026.
Other Alabama fish beside red grouper
- Black Groupersaltwater
- Gag Groupersaltwater
- Yellowfin Groupersaltwater
Reservoirs, rivers and bays close to Red Grouper, pictured
Photo: Pat Hayes, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Rian Castillo, CC BY 2.0
Before targeting red grouper in the Heart of Dixie: questions
What bag does Alabama set for red grouper?
Per the row, 2 per person; 20" min TL; open state waters; see seasons.
When was the Alabama red grouper record set?
34 lbs. 9.6 ozs., by Michael Dale Sargent, Jr., 2002 (a water not printed).
What Alabama water should I try for red grouper?
The lake, river and coast pages here do not list it yet.
Is the red grouper limit different on some Alabama waters?
None of the 26 exceptions mention it.
Can I keep red grouper all year in Alabama?
It reads state waters; see seasons.
What does it cost to fish for red grouper in Alabama?
Saltwater anglers 16 and older carry an Alabama saltwater license ($30.90 resident, $66.80 nonresident for 2026-27), plus the $10 Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement to keep reef fish such as red snapper. Plus the endorsement for Gulf reef fish.
Where do I send an Alabama red grouper record?
Saltwater claims go to the ADCNR Marine Resources Division record committee.
What do Alabama anglers call red grouper?
ADCNR lists it as Red Grouper.
Line up a day on Alabama red grouper
Every water listed above has ramps and limits on its own page.