reef

Mutton Snapper

Lutjanus analis

Premier Keys + SE FL snapper. Spawning aggregations in spring. Live pinfish or pilchards on knocker rigs over hard bottom.

Preferred water temp70–85°F

Preferred depth50–300 ft

Peak monthsApr, May, Jun

Holds onhard bottom, ledges, spawning aggregations

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandMississippi GulfTexas GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfAlabama GulfLouisiana 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

MS_GULF

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

MS: GMFMC 18" TL, 5/person within 10-snapper aggregate.

FEDERAL

Federal Gulf (9–200 nm) — GMFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

Federal Gulf: 18" TL min, 5/angler within Gulf reef-fish aggregate.

SC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

Within 10-fish group aggregate (lane/cubera/yellowtail/gray/mutton).

SC mutton snapper: 5/day, 18" TL.

AL_GULF

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

Gulf federal rule.

Alabama mutton snapper: 5/day, 18" TL.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 20 total / vessel / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

5 per angler per day, max 20 per vessel. Top reef + deep ledge species in the Bahamas.

NC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

Within snapper aggregate.

NC mutton snapper: per SAFMC.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

Within 10-fish snapper aggregate (Gulf).

LA_GULF

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

Within reef fish aggregate.

Louisiana mutton snapper: 5/day, 18" TL.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

Within 10-fish snapper aggregate. Federal Atlantic has a May 1-31 spawning closure for mutton snapper in some zones — verify before retaining.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

TX: federal limits — 18" TL, 5/person within snapper aggregate.

GA_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

Follows SAFMC: 18" TL, 5/person within 10-snapper aggregate.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 18″ TL (total length)

Federal South Atlantic: 18" TL min, 5/angler within 10-fish snapper aggregate (reduced from prior 10).