Federal regulators approved Florida's plan to open a recreational Atlantic red snapper fishing season in October 2026, marking the first expanded opportunity to test management of the fishery in state and federal waters.
The 14-day season will run continuously from October 9 through October 22, 2026, according to NOAA Fisheries. All private recreational anglers and for-hire operations fishing in Florida's Atlantic state and federal waters may participate.
To fish during the season, participants must declare all red snapper trips through the FWC Atlantic Red Snapper Reporting app and carry a copy of the trip declaration and Florida's Exempted Fishing Permit on their vessel. Fishing is limited to one red snapper per person with no minimum size limit, though for-hire captains and crew cannot retain fish. Anglers must use hook and line gear with a single hook only, though spearfishing is also permitted. All participants must follow a 10-fish snapper grouper aggregate bag limit.
Florida closed Atlantic state waters to recreational red snapper harvest as of September 22, 2026, to align with the season. After reviewing data from October's fishing, FWC will work with NOAA Fisheries to determine whether a second season may take place in December 2026.