The FWC manages several species of snapper in Gulf and Atlantic state waters including red, black, wenchman, cubera, gray, lane, mutton, schoolmaster, vermilion and more.
To learn more about the harvest of these species and their management plans, please select which body of water you will be fishing in from the choices below:
*Note: Gear rules are in effect in the Gulf and Atlantic reef fish fishery.
Red Snapper Update: The FWC Commission approved a 44-day recreational red snapper season for Gulf state waters at the April 17 meeting in Tallahassee. The season will start June 1 and close to harvest July 15. The current 2-fish bag limit for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico state waters is not expected to change as part of this proposed season.
Red Snapper in Gulf Federal Waters Update: The 2013 recreational red snapper season in Gulf federal waters off Florida will be 28-days and started June 1.
Red Snapper in Atlantic Federal Waters Update:The 2013 red snapper season in south Atlantic federal waters is expected to open for at least one 3-day weekend later this summer. NOAA Fisheries will determine the season dates and notify the public once more information is available.
Vermilion Snapper Update: Pending approval from the Secretary of Commerce, the four month recreational closed season (November through March) in south Atlantic federal waters has been eliminated. If approved by the Secretary, FWC will consider consistency in south Atlantic state waters at a future Commission meeting.
Snapper-Federal Recreational Regulations Chart
For regulations in state waters:
Gulf
Atlantic
| Snappers |
Federal Waters Gulf of Mexico |
Federal Waters South Atlantic |
|
Red*
|
16" TL 2/person; capt/crew 0 bag
26-days
Open: June 1-June 28
|
1 fish bag limit and no size limit
2013 season: expected to open for at least one 3-day weekend later this summer. NOAA Fisheries will determine the season dates and notify the public once more information is available.
|
|
Vermilion**
|
10" TL; within 20 reef fish aggregate |
12" TL; 5 per person; Closed Nov-Mar
Changes pending, see update above
|
|
Lane
|
8" TL; within 20 reef fish aggregate |
8" TL; within 10 snapper aggregate |
|
Gray (Mangrove)
|
12" TL; within 10 snapper aggregate |
|
Mutton
|
16" TL; within 10 snapper aggregate |
|
Yellowtail/Dog/Mahogany
|
12" TL; within 10 snapper aggregate (No Dog or Mahogany) |
12" TL; within 10 snapper aggregate |
|
Schoolmaster
|
|
|
Blackfin/Silk/Queen
|
within 10 snapper aggregate |
12" TL; within 10 snapper aggregate |
|
Black
|
|
within 10 snapper aggregate |
|
Wenchman
|
within 10 snapper aggregate |
|
|
Cubera^
|
12" TL; within 10 snapper aggregate |
12" TL; 2 per person or vessel if over 30" TL (whichever is less); within 10 snapper aggregate if less than 30" TL |
| *Changes Pending for red snapper |
|
**Vermilion snapper not included in 10 snapper per person daily limit in state and Atlantic federal waters
^Cubera snapper greater than 30" total length not included in 10 snapper per person daily limit in state and Atlantic federal waters
|
| Other Species |
State Waters |
Federal Waters Gulf of Mexico |
Federal Waters South Atlantic |
| Greater amberjack |
1 per person per day; Gulf: 30" FL; Closed June 1 - July 31 in the Gulf; Atlantic: 28" FL |
30" FL; Closed June 1 - July 31; 0 bag limit for for-hire captain and crew |
28" FL; 1 fish per person per day |
| Lesser amberjack |
14" - 22" FL Slot Limit; 5 per person with aggregate (includes lesser AJ and banded rudderfish) |
14"-22" FL Slot Limit; 5 per person within aggregate (includes lesser AJ and banded rudderfish) |
Part of the 20 fish snapper grouper aggregate bag limit |
| Gray triggerfish |
14" FL Gulf; 12" FL Atlantic; Gulf changes effective June 10: 2 fish bag limit within 20 reef fish aggregate, June 1 - July 31 closed season (2013 season will officially close June 10 and reopen Aug. 1) |
14" FL; part of a 20 reef fish aggregate; **Reopened Jan 1 2013***; Upcoming changes for 2013 effective June 10: 2 fish bag limit within 20 reef fish aggregate, closed June 1 - July 31 |
12" TL; included in the 20 fish snapper grouper aggregate |
| Hogfish |
12" TL; 5 per person per day |
| Wreckfish |
100 pounds or 2 whole fish (whichever is less) |
|
1 fish per vessel per day; Open July 1 - Aug 31 |
| Reef fish as Bait |
all fish must be landed in whole condition; legal-sized whole fish may be used as bait but counted against bag limit |
Use Prohibited |
must have heads and fins intact through landing |
Additional Snapper Resources
Snapper Descriptions
Links for more information
Persons with Disabilities