Snapper, Red

Federal For-Hire Red Snapper Season is open June 1, 2024 – 12:01 a.m, local time, on August 28, 2024. Private recreational seasons are determined by each Gulf State.

Alabama

• Open: January 01 – May 27

  Closed: May 28 – May 30

  Open: May 31 – June 03

  Closed: June 04 – June 06

  Open: June 07 – June 10

  Closed: June 11 – June 13

  Open: June 14 – June 17

  Closed: June 18 – June 20

  Open: June 21 – June 24

  Closed: June 25 – June 27

  Open: June 28 – July 08

  Closed: July 09 – July 11

  Open: July 12 – July 15

  Closed: July 16 – July 18

  Open: July 19 – July 22

  Closed: July 23 – July 25

  Open: July 26 – July 29

  Closed: July 30 – August 01

  Open: August 02 – August 05

  Closed: August 06 – August 08

  Open: August 09 – August 12

  Closed: August 13 – August 15

  Open: August 16 – August 19

  Closed: August 20 – August 22

  Open: August 23 – August 26

  Closed: August 27 – August 29

  Open: August 30 – December 31

• 2 Bag Limit
• Minimum Size: 16 in Total Length
• Additional Licenses Required: Any person possessing, taking, or attempting to take Gulf Reef Fish must purchase an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement. 

• Gear Description: Anglers must use non-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural bait.

• Notes:

  The Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces that Alabama state waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on Friday, May 24, 2024. The season will consist of four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, beginning Friday, May 24, and continue until the private angler quota is projected to be met. Additionally, the entire week that includes Independence Day will be open for red snapper fishing. For more information, see Outdoor Alabama.

  The owner or operator of each vessel landing red snapper in Alabama is required by law to complete one landing report per vessel trip of their harvested red snapper through Snapper Check prior to removing the fish from the boat or the boat with the fish being removed from the water. All landed red snapper are required to be reported prior to landing regardless of the jurisdiction in which the fish were caught. Greater amberjack and gray triggerfish are also required to be reported when the season is open and must be reported in Snapper Check. When the quota is anticipated to be met, MRD will announce a closure date.

  For more info see Alabama Red Snapper FAQs or Outdoor Alabama. Harvested red snapper must be reported on one Snapper Check report per vessel trip before fish are landed in Alabama. And, anglers must have a valid Alabama saltwater fishing license, as required, when in possession of any saltwater fish species in Alabama waters. Reef Fish Endorsement is required for Red Snapper. Possession of red snapper in state waters while the Alabama season is closed is prohibited. Anglers fishing under another state’s season must abide by that state’s rules and land fish in that state. Individuals on vessels with red snapper may not transit Alabama state waters while the Alabama season is closed. Free Saltwater Angler Registration is required for all residents 16 and over who take, catch, kill, or possess fish or attempt to catch, kill or possess fish in the saltwater jurisdiction of Alabama. This includes residents who are not required to purchase an annual saltwater license such as those over the age of 64, have a lifetime saltwater license or fish exclusively on a pier that has purchased a pier fishing license. A Reef Fish Endorsement is required for all resident and non-resident anglers 16 years of age and older, and includes disabled, veterans appreciation, 65 and older, lifetime license holders, pier licenses, annual saltwater licenses, trip licenses, commercial fishermen, and charter boats.

  The season for anglers fishing from federally-permitted for-hire vessels will be open June 1, 2024 – 12:01 a.m, local time, on August 28, 2024 with a 2-fish bag limit and 16 inch minimum size limit. , see Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

Florida

• Closed: January 01 – May 31

  Open: June 01 – July 31

  Closed: August 01 – August 31

  Open: September 01 – September 02

  Closed: September 03 – September 05

  Open: September 06 – September 08

  Closed: September 09 – September 12

  Open: September 13 – September 15

  Closed: September 16 – September 19

  Open: September 20 – September 22

  Closed: September 23 – September 26

  Open: September 27 – September 29

  Closed: September 30 – October 03

  Open: October 04 – October 06

  Closed: October 07 – October 10

  Open: October 11 – October 13

  Closed: October 14 – October 17

  Open: October 18 – October 20

  Closed: October 21 – October 24

  Open: October 25 – October 27

  Closed: October 28 – October 31

  Open: November 01 – November 03

  Closed: November 04 – November 07

  Open: November 08 – November 11

  Closed: November 12 – November 14

  Open: November 15 – November 17

  Closed: November 18 – November 21

  Open: November 22 – November 24

  Closed: November 25 – November 27

  Open: November 28 – November 30

  Closed: December 01 – December 31

• 2 Bag Limit
• 10 Aggregate Limit
• Minimum Size: 16 in Total Length
• Additional Licenses Required: Anglers 16 years of age and older are required to sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler if they fish from a private recreational boat for any red snapper. To sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler, call 1-888-347-4356.

• Gear Description: The use of a dehooking device is required when fishing for reef fish. All persons aboard a vessel harvesting reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico must possess and use non-stainless steel non-offset circle hooks when using natural baits.

• Notes:

  The 61-day summer season will begin on June 1 and continue through July 31.

  The 42-day fall season is the longest fall season since the beginning of state management and spans the following weekend dates:

  • September 1–2 (Sunday through Monday of Labor Day Weekend)
  • September 6–8
  • September 13–15
  • September 20–22
  • September 27–29
  • October 4–6
  • October 11–13
  • October 18–20
  • October 25–27
  • November 1–3
  • November 8–11 (Veterans Day Weekend)
  • November 15–17
  • November 22–24 
  • November 28–30 (Thursday through Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend). 

  For more information about Florida’s Red Snapper seasons, see MyFWC Snapper.

Louisiana

• Open: January 01 – July 07

  Closed: July 08 – July 11

  Open: July 12 – July 14

  Closed: July 15 – July 18

  Open: July 19 – July 21

  Closed: July 22 – July 25

  Open: July 26 – July 28

  Closed: July 29 – August 01

  Open: August 02 – August 04

  Closed: August 05 – August 08

  Open: August 09 – August 11

  Closed: August 12 – August 15

  Open: August 16 – August 18

  Closed: August 19 – August 22

  Open: August 23 – August 25

  Closed: August 26 – August 29

  Open: August 30 – September 02

  Closed: September 03 – December 31

• 4 Bag Limit
• Minimum Size: 16 in Total Length
• Additional Licenses Required: Recreational Offshore Landing Permit

• Gear Description: The use of a dehooking device is required when fishing for reef fish. All persons aboard a vessel harvesting reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico must possess and use non-stainless steel non-offset circle hooks when using natural baits.

• Notes:

  To provide ample fishing opportunity for anglers throughout the summer months and into Labor Day, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Madison Sheahan signed a declaration of emergency to close the recreational Red Snapper season in state and federal waters off Louisiana at 11:59 p.m. on July 7, 2024, until 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024. 

  When the season reopens on July 12, it will reopen as a weekends-only season (weekends are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, including the Monday of Labor Day) until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 2, 2024, at which time it will close until further notice. Daily creel (four per person) and size limits (16 inches minimum total length) will remain as previously established. LA Creel data indicates that harvest rates of Red Snapper were greater than anticipated and a season modification was necessary in order to maximize the season for anglers.

  For more info see Louisiana Red Snapper Season

  Resident and Non-Resident Recreational Anglers must possess valid Louisiana Basic and Saltwater Recreational Fishing Licenses as well as a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (free of charge) to fish for or possess red snapper, as well as other offshore species. Anglers get a ROLP via the ROLP website. Once you have registered, save an electronic copy on your mobile device or print a copy of your ROLP indicating your valid ROLP and carry it on your person along with applicable licenses while fishing offshore. For additional information about the red snapper season in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico, please see Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

Mississippi

• Open: January 01 – July 06

  Closed: July 07 – December 31

• 2 Bag Limit
• Minimum Size: 16 in Total Length

• Gear Description: The use of a dehooking device is required when fishing for reef fish. All persons aboard a vessel harvesting reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico must possess and use non-stainless steel non-offset circle hooks when using natural baits.

• Notes:

  Mississippi’s recreational Red Snapper season will close Sunday, July 7, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. After the closure, no Red Snapper shall be landed or possessed in Mississippi state territorial waters.

  Private recreational anglers can fish out to 200 nautical miles. Vessels with state for-hire permits can fish in state territorial waters, which is nine nautical miles south of the barrier islands.

  MISSISSIPPI RECREATIONAL OFFSHORE LANDING PERMIT (MS ROLP) REQUIREMENT

  MDMR staff would like to remind anglers that in addition to Tails n’ Scales requirements, each licensed angler on a vessel must possess valid Mississippi Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (MS-ROLP) for possession and landing of reef fish and Cobia in Mississippi. Full details on requirements and permit registration can be found at dmr.ms.gov/rolp. Program administrators can be contacted for assistance by email at [email protected] or by phone at (228) 325-1585.

  TAILS N’ SCALES (TNS) MANDATORY RED SNAPPER REPORTING REQUIREMENT

  One angler per vessel, per trip is required to report through the MDMR Tails n’ Scales system. As a reminder, Marine Patrol officers encountering anglers fishing for or possessing Red Snapper without a trip authorization number will result in fish confiscation and fines. Program administrators can be contacted for assistance by email at [email protected] or by phone at (228) 325-1585.

  FEDERAL FOR-HIRE VESSELS ONLY

  NOAA Fisheries has announced the Gulf federal for-hire Red Snapper season will open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 1, 2024 and close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 28, 2024 with a 2-fish bag limit and 16 inch minimum size limit.This season is independent from the Mississippi Red Snapper Season and applies only to federally permitted vessels.

Texas

• Open year-round

• 4 Bag Limit
• Minimum Size: 15 in Total Length

• Gear Description: It is unlawful to use any kind of hook other than a circle hook when using natural bait.

• Notes:

  Red Snapper Season in State Waters is open year-round. Red snapper season in Federal Waters off Texas will open June 1, 2024.

  Red snapper may be taken using pole and line, but it is unlawful to use any kind of hook other than a circle hook when using natural bait.

  Effective September 1, 2023, all commercial and recreational anglers must possess a venting tool or a rigged descending device on their boat while fishing for reef fish in federal water. This is improve the proportion of released fish that survive. 

  For information about Red Snapper regulations see TPWD Red Snapper and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.