Snappers
On May 21, 2026, a rogue federal judge sided with activists in an attempt to block Floridians from exercising their right to fish through the recently approved Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) for Atlantic Red Snapper issued by NOAA Fisheries earlier this month.
As a result of this ruling, NOAA has temporarily stalled Florida‘s Atlantic Red Snapper EFP. However, the agencies stand together in opposition of this delay tactic and will continue fighting for our fishing communities.
To that end, to ensure our anglers can get out on the water as planned beginning this weekend, FWC has modified its plans that will ensure access to fishing in our state waters. Effective May 21, FWC will rescind EO 26-11. Doing so will allow for the public to carry on with their plans on the water, including the ability to catch red snapper in state waters. As authorized by Florida Administrative Code, the recreational bag limit will default to 2 red snapper per person with a 20-inch size limit and remain in effect until further notice.
As for Florida’s historic EFP, when the EFP is unfrozen and ultimately restored, FWC will issue an updated EO reestablishing the extended red snapper season, which will increase the nautical miles available for fishing. Moreover, FWC officers have been notified of the unpredictable nature of the situation and will ensure boaters are provided education within our jurisdictional waters.
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Regulations by Coast
Gulf of America Regulations (state and federal waters unless specified; Gulf state waters are from shore to 9 miles)
Min. Size Limit
16" TL
Daily Bag Limit
2 per person (included in the 10 per harvester per day state snapper aggregate bag limit)
Charter captain and crew: zero
Season
2026 Season:
Summer Season: May 22 - July 31 (Daily)
Fall Season:
- Sep. 1 - Oct. 4 (Daily)
- Oct. 9 - 11, 16 - 18, 23 - 25 (Fri., Sat., & Sun.)
- Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 (Fri., Sat., & Sun.)
- Nov. 7 - 8, 14 - 15, 21 - 22 (Sat. & Sun.)
- Nov. 26 - 29 (Thanksgiving weekend)
- Dec. 5 - 6, 12 - 13, 19 - 20 (Sat. & Sun.)
- Dec. 25 - 27 (Christmas weekend)
- Jan. 1 - 4, 2027 (Daily)
Season applies to:
- Recreational anglers fishing from private vessels in Florida Gulf state and federal waters
- Charter for-hire vessels that do not have a federal permit and are limited to harvest during the recreational season in Florida Gulf state waters only
Min. Size Limit
10" TL
Daily Bag Limit
State: 10 per person (not included in the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit)
Federal: 10/person within 20 reef fish aggregate
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
10" TL
Daily Bag Limit
10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
State: 10" TL
Federal: 12" TL
Daily Bag Limit
State: 5 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Federal: 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
18" TL
Daily Bag Limit
5 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
State: 12" TL
May possess no more than 2 over 30" per harvester or vessel per day, whichever is less. 30" or larger cubera are not included within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Federal: 12" TL
Daily Bag Limit
10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
State: 10" TL
Federal: 8" TL
Daily Bag Limit
State: 20 per person (not included in the 10-snapper aggregate bag limit)
Federal: 20 under their 20-reef fish aggregate
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
None
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
12" total length
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Season
Open year-round
Atlantic Regulations (state and federal waters unless specified; Atlantic state waters are from shore to 3 miles)
Min. Size Limit
20" TL
Daily Bag Limit
2 per person
Season
State: Open
Federal: Closed
Min. Size Limit
12" TL
Daily Bag Limit
5 per person (not included in the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit)
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
State: 10" TL
Federal: 12" TL
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Daily Bag Limit
State: 5 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Federal: 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
10" TL
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Daily Bag Limit
10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
18" TL
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Daily Bag Limit
5 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
12" TL
May possess no more than 2 over 30" per harvester or vessel per day, whichever is less
30" or larger cubera are not included within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Daily Bag Limit
10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
8" TL
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Daily Bag Limit
10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
None
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Season
Open year-round
Min. Size Limit
12" TL
Special regulations apply for yellowtail snapper when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Daily Bag Limit
Up to 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit
Special regulations apply for yellowtail snapper when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Season
Open year-round
Return ‘Em Right
A resource for anglers interested in best release practices.
Gulf Red Snapper
Red snapper are long-lived, early-maturing reef fish that are broadly distributed in the Gulf of America. They can live to be 57. Older, larger females contribute far more eggs than younger, smaller females. To have a sustainable red snapper stock, there should be an abundance of older/larger fish to maximize the number of young fish coming into the fishery.
One 24-inch female red snapper (about an 8 year old fish) produces as many eggs as 212 17-inch females (about 5 years old).
