reef

Lane Snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Common nearshore reef snapper from NC through FL, Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas and Caribbean. Most abundant in south FL and the Gulf. Popular family-fishing target with own bag limits (20/day in most Gulf states); explicitly managed by GMFMC/SAFMC.

In our regions

Bahamas — Abaco & AndrosMississippi GulfTexas GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfNortheast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideAlabama GulfLouisiana GulfBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticBig Bend — GulfSouthwest Florida — Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 12 of 12 regulations

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 8″ TL (total length)

LA: no bag limit, 8" TL min.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 8″ TL (total length)

AL: follows GMFMC. No bag limit; 8" min.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 8″ TL (total length)

Follows SAFMC.

GA_ATLANTIC

Georgia — State waters (0–3 nm) · GA DNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 8″ TL (total length)

Follows SAFMC.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bahamas vessel limit: 60 lbs / 20 demersal.

FEDERAL

Federal Gulf (9–200 nm) — GMFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 8″ TL (total length)

GMFMC: 8" TL min. No bag in aggregate — unlimited (federal Gulf).

Unlimited bag in federal Gulf.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 8″ TL (total length)

SAFMC: 8" TL min, within 10-snapper aggregate.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 20 / angler / day
Minimum: 10″ TL (total length)

FL Gulf state: 10" TL, 20/person (NOT in 10-snapper aggregate).

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 8″ TL (total length)

FL Atl: 8" TL, within 10-snapper aggregate.

MS_GULF

Mississippi — State waters (0–3 nm) · MS DMR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 8″ TL (total length)

MS: no bag (excluded from 10-snapper aggregate), 8" TL min.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 8″ TL (total length)

TX: no bag limit, 8" TL min.

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 8″ TL (total length)

SC HB 219 (2025): state matches SAFMC federal.