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Red Snapper

Lutjanus campechanus

Tightly regulated. Always season-check before recommending.

Preferred depth60–300 ft

Holds onwrecks, ledges, natural relief

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 27, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 12 of 12 regulations

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENSeasonal

Bag limit

1 / angler / day

Minimum

20″ TL (total length)

Season

Jul 10, 2026 → Jul 12, 2026Federal Atlantic mini-season — NOAA Fisheries announces actual dates each spring. Typically 2 days.

Federal South Atlantic: 1/angler, 20" TL min. ACL-driven mini-season — verify NOAA Fisheries notice before fishing federal Atlantic waters.

GA_ATLANTIC

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

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 20″ TL (total length)

SAFMC ACL-driven mini-season — typically a single weekend per year. 1/angler, 20" TL min when open.

Georgia DNR.

NC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 20″ TL (total length)

SAFMC mini-season.

NC DMF.

AL_GULF

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

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit: 2 / angler / day
Minimum: 16″ TL (total length)

2/angler/day, 16" TL min. Gulf season set annually (typically June 1 - July with weekend openings later). Alabama manages its own quota under NOAA delegation.

Alabama CNR-MRD.

MS_GULF

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

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit: 2 / angler / day
Minimum: 16″ TL (total length)

2/angler/day, 16" TL min. Gulf season under MS quota.

Mississippi DMR.

LA_GULF

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

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit: 4 / angler / day
Minimum: 16″ TL (total length)

4/angler/day, 16" TL min. LA manages its own quota and typically has a longer season than other Gulf states.

Louisiana DWF.

FEDERAL

Federal Gulf (9–200 nm) — GMFMC

Currently OPENSeasonal

Bag limit

2 / angler / day

Minimum

16″ TL (total length)

Season

Jun 1, 2026 → Jul 31, 2026Federal Gulf season — FL sets via delegation; actual dates published each spring by FWC.

Federal Gulf: 2/angler, 16" TL min. Season set annually by Florida under NOAA delegated authority. Charter/headboat season is typically longer than private rec.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENSeasonal

Bag limit

2 / angler / day

Minimum

16″ TL (total length)

Season

Jun 1, 2026 → Jul 31, 2026Approximate Gulf state season — FWC announces exact dates annually.

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)

Bahamian red snapper population is healthy compared to US Gulf — no closed season. Deep-drop on the offshore drop-offs.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit

1 / angler / day

Minimum

20″ TL (total length)

Season

Jul 12, 2026 → Jul 14, 2026Approximate — FWC sets dates annually, usually 2-3 day weekend windows in July.

Atlantic FL state season is extremely limited — usually one or two weekends per year. Verify current dates with FWC before fishing.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit: 4 / angler / day
Minimum: 15″ TL (total length)

4/angler/day, 15" TL min in TX state waters (year-round). 2/angler federal season per NOAA.

Texas Parks & Wildlife.

SC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 20″ TL (total length)

SAFMC mini-season, same as GA.

SC DNR.