Yellowtail snapper: Florida size, bag and season

As of / last verified: October 14, 2026 against official sources · Source: FWC: Yellowtail snapper

Yellowtail snapper limit in Florida: the minimum is 12 inches total length and the bag is up to 10 per person inside the 10-snapper aggregate, shared with dog and mahogany snapper. Gulf and Atlantic waters are open year-round. From a private boat, yellowtail are on the State Reef Fish Angler list.

Quick answer

Size: 12" total length
Bag: Up to 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate
Also covers: Dog and mahogany snapper, in the same FWC row
Season: Open year-round
Permit: State Reef Fish Angler designation from a private vessel

Yellowtail snapper: side view for identification — Yellowtail snapper. Credit: Dr. Dwayne Meadows, NOAA. Public domain

Measure in a straight line with the fish on its side; don't follow its curve. Yellowtail snapper are measured in total length. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Yellowtail snapper limits

Waters	Size	Bag	Season
Gulf state and federal	12" total length	Up to 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate, shared with dog and mahogany snapper	Open year-round
Atlantic state and federal	12" total length	Up to 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate, shared with dog and mahogany snapper	Open year-round

Special regulations apply for yellowtail snapper in Biscayne National Park. Reef fish gear rules apply.

How do you identify Yellowtail snapper?

Olive to bluish back with yellow spots, and a yellow stripe from the mouth to the tail that broadens toward the rear.
The tail is yellow and deeply forked. Lower sides and belly have narrow pink and yellow stripes.
No dark spot on the side below the dorsal fin.
FWC lists size up to 30 inches (5 pounds). The state record is 8 lb 9 oz, caught near Fort Myers.

Look-alikes

Mutton snapper. Mutton snapper have a dark side spot and a blue line under the eye, and an 18-inch minimum.
Gray (mangrove) snapper. Mangrove snapper are dark brown or gray, not yellow-tailed.

Where and when to catch Yellowtail snapper in Florida?

Yellowtail snapper live in coastal waters, mainly near coral reefs, and FWC describes them as mainly tropical. They spawn in midsummer and eat fish and invertebrates. The Keys bridges are the nearest pier pages to that reef habitat. The same 12-inch rule applies on both coasts.

Piers and bridges

Long Key Viaduct Fishing Bridge, US-1, MM 63–65.5 (Monroe County)
Ohio–Bahia Honda Channel Fishing Bridge, Lower Keys, US-1 (Monroe County)

Regions

Related rules on this site

State Reef Fish Angler designation

Frequently asked questions

What is the yellowtail snapper size limit?

12 inches total length in Gulf and Atlantic waters.

What is the yellowtail snapper bag limit?

Up to 10 per person within the 10-snapper aggregate. Dog and mahogany snapper are in the same limit on the FWC page.

Is yellowtail snapper open year-round?

Yes. FWC lists yellowtail, dog and mahogany snapper as open year-round.

Do you need a reef-fish designation for yellowtail?

From a private vessel, yes. Yellowtail snapper are on the State Reef Fish Angler list. That designation is not required from shore or a pier.

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.