Red Snapper in Alabama
Alabama creel, the state record and water pages for red snapper.
- 2 a daycreel
- 44 lbs. 12 ozs.record
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Alabama red snapper in short
ADCNR places red snapper under the saltwater row headed "Red Snapper (#)". What it allows: 2 per person in state and federal waters; 16" min. tl; season, state waters; see seasons.
ADCNR lists 44 lbs. 12 ozs. as the record, Melvin E. Dunn, Jr., 2002, a water ADCNR does not print.
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| Row as printed | Waters | Creel and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Snapper (#) | Alabama state waters | 2 per person in state and federal waters; 16" min. TL | state waters; see seasons |
Alabama state waters open and close along with federal regulations.
Limits as printed by the ADCNR Marine Resources Division recreational size, creel and possession limits for state waters (MRD limits page), read November 1, 2026.
Open and closed dates for red snapper in 2026
| Season | Opens | Closes | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red snapper (private anglers, shore, state-licensed charter) | May 22, 2026 | not set | Open 7 days a week until the end of the year or when Alabama's quota has been met; 2 per person per day, 16 inches TL minimum; 2026 private angler quota 664,552 pounds; report through Snapper Check. |
| Red snapper (federally permitted for-hire vessels) | June 1, 2026 | October 26, 2026 | Opens 12:01 a.m. local time June 1, 2026, closes 12:01 a.m. local time October 26, 2026 (147 days in federal waters). |
ADCNR Marine Resources Division closures and notices and season releases, read November 1, 2026.
Alabama state-record red snapper
| List | Weight | Angler | Water | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| saltwater | 44 lbs. 12 ozs. | Melvin E. Dunn, Jr. | Alabama waters (no water printed) | June 1, 2002 |
ADCNR (Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division for freshwater; Marine Resources Division State Record Fish Committee for saltwater); freshwater list, saltwater list, read November 1, 2026.
Endorsement rules on red snapper
Keeping it means holding the Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement as well as the license, from age 16 up.
The endorsement costs $10 a year for residents and nonresidents alike in 2026-27.
ADCNR license page in the Official 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest (ADCNR, eRegulations edition), read November 1, 2026.
Kin of red snapper on the Alabama list
- Gray Snappersaltwater
- Lane Snappersaltwater
- Vermilion Snappersaltwater
A photo stroll along the water by Red Snapper
Photo: Rian Castillo, CC BY 2.0
Photo: gardener41, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Olin Gilbert, CC BY 2.0
Photo: bryantevans1, CC BY-SA 2.0
What Yellowhammer State anglers ask about red snapper
How many red snapper can go in an Alabama cooler each day?
The row reads 2 per person in state and federal waters; 16" min. TL; season state waters; see seasons.
Does ADCNR list a record red snapper?
Melvin E. Dunn, Jr. caught it: 44 lbs. 12 ozs. in 2002, a water not printed.
Which Alabama waters are best bets for red snapper?
It is not tied to a water page so far.
Do any Alabama lakes set their own red snapper rule?
It has no water exception.
Does Alabama close red snapper?
Season: state waters; see seasons. MRD posted 2 season entries for 2026.
Does a visitor need a license for red snapper?
Saltwater anglers 16 and older carry an Alabama saltwater license ($30.90 resident, $66.80 nonresident for 2026-27), plus the $10 Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement to keep reef fish such as red snapper. And the Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement on top.
Who keeps the Alabama red snapper record?
For salt water, the MRD State Record Fish Committee reviews the claim.
Which ADCNR name covers red snapper?
The ADCNR names are Red Snapper.
Plan an Alabama trip for red snapper
Open a lake, river or bay above for ramps and rules.