Recreational greater amberjack season will open Sept. 1 – Oct. 13 in Gulf state waters

At its August meeting in Panama City, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order to modify the 2026 recreational season for greater amberjack in state waters of the Gulf of America. The recreational season will be open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13 and will close at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 14.

This season is consistent with NOAA's recently announced season in adjacent federal waters. Maintaining consistent state and federal recreational seasons for Gulf greater amberjack is intended to prevent quota overages and help ensure the stock continues to rebuild.

If you plan to fish for greater amberjack or other specific reef fish species from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up for the State Reef Fish Angler Designation (annual renewal is required). As a State Reef Fish Angler, you could be selected to receive a mail survey component of the State Reef Fish Survey.

Data from the State Reef Fish Survey is now being used for greater amberjack management, and through your participation, the data collected will be used to improve management and increased recreational fishing opportunities in Florida.

To learn more about the State Reef Fish Survey, visit MyFWC.com/SRFS.

For current recreational greater amberjack regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and select "Recreational Regulations", followed by "Reef Fish" and then "Amberjack."