The fall red snapper season for private recreational anglers and state for-hire operations in the Gulf of Mexico will be open on specific weekends from September 1 through November 30.
The scheduled weekends are:
- Sept. 1–2 (Sunday through Monday of Labor Day Weekend)
- Sept. 6–8
- Sept. 13–15
- Sept. 20–22
- Sept. 27–29
- Oct. 4–6
- Oct. 11–13
- Oct. 18–20
- Oct. 25–27
- Nov. 1–3
- Nov. 8–11 (Veterans Day Weekend)
- Nov. 15–17
- Nov. 22–24
- Nov. 28–30 (Thursday through Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend)
Private recreational anglers may harvest red snapper during these weekends in both Gulf state and federal waters, while state for-hire operations are restricted to fishing in Gulf state waters only.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will continue to monitor harvest relative to Florida’s available quota.
Anglers planning to participate must sign up annually as a State Reef Fish Angler to target red snapper and several other reef fish in state and federal waters, even if exempt from fishing license requirements.
Sign-up is free at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or any location where licenses are sold.
State Reef Fish Anglers might receive a questionnaire regarding their reef fish trips as part of Florida’s State Reef Fish Survey, which helps determine additional fishing days.
For more information about the recreational red snapper season in Gulf state and federal waters, including size and bag limits, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing under “Saltwater Fishing” and “Recreational Regulations,” then select “Snappers.”