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Red snapper: Florida size, bag and 2026 season

As of / last verified: against official sources · Source: FWC: Red snapper

Red snapper limit in Florida: Gulf waters are 16 inches total length and 2 per person inside the 10-snapper aggregate. The 2026 private season includes May 22 through July 31 plus the fall dates in the table. Atlantic waters have no minimum size and 1 per person. The 2026 Atlantic season is October 9-22, and trips must be declared.

Quick answer

Rules in flux
Atlantic 2026 season Oct 9-22 only (trip declaration required); Gulf private fall season dates per rules text. Changes year to year.
Gulf size
16" total length
Gulf bag
2 per person, inside the 10 snapper aggregate. Charter captain and crew: zero
Atlantic size
No minimum size limit
Atlantic bag
1 per person, as part of the 10 fish snapper-grouper aggregate
Atlantic 2026
October 9-22. Declare every fishing trip
Red snapper: side view for identification
Red snapper. Credit: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC. Public domain
Total length vs fork lengthTotal length runs from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the squeezed tail. Fork length runs from the tip of the snout to the center of the tail fork.How FWC measures fishTOTAL LENGTH: mouth closed → tip of squeezed tailFORK LENGTH: snout → center of tail forkTL species include: red drum, snook, spotted seatrout, weakfish, snappers, groupers, flounder, sheepsheadFL species include: pompano, permit, Spanish & king mackerel, cobia, amberjacks, hogfish, dolphin
Measure in a straight line with the fish on its side; don't follow its curve. Red snapper are measured in total length. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Red snapper limits

WatersSizeBagSeason
Gulf state and federal, private recreational vessels16" total length2 per person, included in the 10 per harvester per day state snapper aggregate. Charter captain and crew: zero2026 summer: May 22 – July 31 (daily). Fall: Sep. 1 – Oct. 4 (daily); Oct. 9 – 22 (daily); Oct. 23-25 (Fri., Sat., and Sun.); Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 (Fri., Sat., and Sun.); Nov. 7 – 8, 14 – 15, 21 – 22 (Sat. and Sun.); Nov. 26 – 29 (Thanksgiving weekend); Dec. 5 – 6, 12 – 13, 19 – 20 (Sat. and Sun.); Dec. 25 – 27 (Christmas weekend); Jan. 1 – 4, 2027 (daily)
Gulf state waters, charter for-hire without a federal permit16" total length2 per person, included in the 10 snapper aggregate. Captain and crew: zeroLimited to the same recreational season, in Florida Gulf state waters only
Atlantic stateNo minimum size limit1 per person, as part of the 10 fish snapper-grouper aggregateOctober 9-22, 2026. FWC's page labels it Closed (Opening October 9-22)
Atlantic federalNo minimum size limit1 per person, as part of the 10 fish snapper-grouper aggregateOctober 9-22, 2026. FWC's page labels it Closed (Opening October 9-22)

FWC says the 2026 Atlantic season is for private anglers and for-hire captains in Atlantic state and federal waters, and that private anglers and for-hire charter captains need to declare all fishing trips for all fishing days. The Gulf fall note says harvest is open daily from Sept. 1 through October 4 and October 9 through 22, then on the weekends and holidays in the schedule. Reef fish gear rules apply. Seasons change from year to year.

Rules in flux. Atlantic 2026 season Oct 9-22 only (trip declaration required); Gulf private fall season dates per rules text. Changes year to year.

How do you identify Red snapper?

Look-alikes

Where and when to catch Red snapper in Florida?

Red snapper are offshore fish found near structure. Juveniles use sand or mud bottoms. They spawn from June to October, mature at age 2, and FWC says adults can live more than 20 years, possibly up to 60. The rules page says one 24-inch female (about an 8-year-old) produces as many eggs as 212 females of 17 inches (about 5 years old). They eat crustaceans and fish, and FWC lists soft-bodied jigs, bucktails and spoons. The Skyway pier is in Gulf waters, so the Gulf size and season apply to a red snapper kept there.

Piers and bridges

Regions

Related rules on this site

Frequently asked questions

What is the Gulf red snapper limit?

16 inches total length and 2 per person, included in the 10-snapper aggregate. Charter captain and crew have a zero bag.

What are the 2026 Gulf red snapper season dates?

Summer is May 22 through July 31, daily. Fall is daily September 1 through October 4 and October 9 through 22, then the weekends and holidays listed in the table, through January 1-4, 2027.

What is the 2026 Atlantic red snapper season?

October 9 through 22 in Atlantic state and federal waters. There is no minimum size. The bag is 1 per person inside the 10-fish snapper-grouper aggregate. Private anglers and for-hire charter captains must declare all fishing trips for all fishing days.

Who does the Gulf season apply to?

Recreational anglers on private vessels in Florida Gulf state and federal waters, and charter for-hire vessels that do not have a federal permit, which are limited to the recreational season in Gulf state waters only.

Official sources

Last verified: October 14, 2026.

Related guides

Disclaimer: This page is a plain-English summary for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules, seasons and boundaries can change at short notice, including by emergency order. Always check the current regulations on MyFWC.com before you fish.