Gray snapper in Florida
gray snapper rules, records and best waters.
- 17 lbrecord
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Gray snapper fishing in Florida
Gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record gray snapper weighed 17 pounds (Port Canaveral, 1992).
The gray snapper profile
Habitat of gray snapper
“Coastal waters near structure such as reefs, mangroves and seagrass.”
“Juveniles may enter freshwater.”
What gray snapper eat
“Spawn June through August.”
“Feeds on crustaceans and small fish.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida gray snapper limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf and Atlantic state waters | 5 a day | 10 in minimum | Open year-round |
State: 10" TL, 5 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate. Federal: 12" TL, 10 per person.
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record gray snapper
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 17 | Port Canaveral | 1992 |
| Fly | 10.75 | Key West | 1998 |
| Youth | 6.92 | Key West | 2024 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Florida bays for gray snapper
Big Bend region
- Alligator HarborFranklin
- Apalachee BayWakulla
- Deadman BayTaylor
- Ochlockonee BayFranklin, Wakulla
- Suwannee SoundLevy
- Waccasassa BayLevy
- Withlacoochee BayLevy
Charlotte Harbor region
- Charlotte HarborCharlotte, Lee
- Estero BayLee
- Gasparilla SoundCharlotte, Lee
- Lemon BayCharlotte, Sarasota
- Matlacha PassLee
- Pine Island SoundLee
- San Carlos BayLee
Indian River Lagoon region
- Banana RiverBrevard
- Hobe SoundMartin
- Indian River (Indian River Lagoon)Brevard, Indian River
- Jupiter SoundMartin, Palm Beach
- Loxahatchee River estuaryMartin, Palm Beach
- Mosquito LagoonBrevard, Volusia
- St. Lucie River estuaryMartin, St. Lucie
Northeast region
- Cumberland SoundNassau
- Halifax RiverVolusia
- Matanzas RiverFlagler, St. Johns
- Nassau SoundDuval, Nassau
- Tolomato RiverSt. Johns
Panhandle region
- Apalachicola BayFranklin
- Big LagoonEscambia
- Blackwater BaySanta Rosa
- Choctawhatchee BayOkaloosa, Walton
- East Bay (Bay County)Bay, Gulf
- East Bay (Franklin County)Franklin
- East Bay (Santa Rosa County)Santa Rosa
- Escambia BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- North Bay (Bay County)Bay
- Pensacola BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- Perdido BayEscambia
- Santa Rosa SoundEscambia, Okaloosa
- St. Andrew BayBay
- St. Andrew SoundBay
- St. George SoundFranklin
- St. Joseph BayGulf
- St. Vincent SoundFranklin, Gulf
- West Bay (Bay County)Bay
Sarasota Bay region
- Little Sarasota BaySarasota
- Palma Sola BayManatee
- Roberts Bay (Siesta Key)Sarasota
- Roberts Bay (Venice)Sarasota
- Sarasota BayManatee, Sarasota
Southeast region
- Barnes SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Biscayne BayMiami-Dade
- Card SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Florida BayMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Lake Worth LagoonPalm Beach
Southwest region
- Chokoloskee BayCollier
- Fakahatchee BayCollier
- Naples BayCollier
- Ponce de Leon BayMonroe
- Whitewater BayMonroe
Tampa Bay region
- Boca Ciega BayPinellas
- Clearwater HarborPinellas
- Hillsborough BayHillsborough
- Old Tampa BayHillsborough, Pinellas
- St. Joseph SoundPinellas
- Tampa BayHillsborough, Manatee
Other Florida saltwater fish
Questions about gray snapper in Florida
What is the daily limit for gray snapper in Florida?
5 a day (Gulf and Atlantic state waters), size: 10 in minimum.
Who holds the Florida gray snapper record?
It went 17 pounds, set in 1992.
Where should I fish for gray snapper?
See the bays and reef counties listed for gray snapper above.
Where does FWC stock gray snapper?
FWC reports show no gray snapper stocking lately.
How big must a gray snapper be for a Big Catch?
No Big Catch size is listed for gray snapper.
What is the scientific name of gray snapper?
Lutjanus griseus.
Is a license required for gray snapper?
A saltwater license, required from age 16 unless exempt.
When can I keep gray snapper?
FWC lists no closure for gray snapper.
How current is the gray snapper information?
FWC data, checked October 2026.