Red snapper in Florida
Where to catch red snapper, plus limits and records.
- 46.5 lbrecord
Photo: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Florida Red snapper basics
Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record red snapper weighed 46.5 pounds (Destin, 1985).
Know your red snapper
Home water for red snapper
“Offshore near structure.”
“Juveniles are found over sand or mud bottoms.”
How red snapper feed and spawn
“Spawn from June to October.”
“Sexual maturity is attained at age 2.”
“Adults can live more than 20 years, possibly even up to 60 years.”
“Feed on crustaceans and fish.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida red snapper limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf | 2 a day | 16 in minimum | 2026: May 22 – July 31; Sep. 1 – Oct. 4; Oct. 9-22; then scheduled weekends/holidays through Jan. 4, 2027 |
| Atlantic | 1 a day | none | 2026 season October 9-22 (state and federal waters) |
Gulf state and federal waters, private recreational. 2 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate; charter captain and crew zero. 2026 season: Summer May 22 – July 31 (daily); Fall Sep. 1 – Oct. 4 (daily); Oct. 9-22 (daily); Oct. 23-25; Oct. 30 – Nov. 1; Nov. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22; Nov. 26-29; Dec. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20; Dec. 25-27; Jan. 1-4, 2027 (daily). State Reef Fish Angler designation required.
No minimum size limit. 1 per person as part of the 10 fish snapper-grouper aggregate. Private anglers and for-hire captains must declare all fishing trips.
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record red snapper
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 46.5 | Destin | 1985 |
| Fly | 12.86 | Jacksonville | 2024 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Reef counties for red snapper
Most red snapper are caught over structure offshore; these counties have the most FWC artificial reef deployments.
- Bay County615 reef deployments
- Escambia County496 reef deployments
- Okaloosa County488 reef deployments
- Pinellas County367 reef deployments
- Miami-Dade County277 reef deployments
- Sarasota County261 reef deployments
- Volusia County191 reef deployments
- Palm Beach County154 reef deployments
- Lee County136 reef deployments
- Broward County128 reef deployments
- Collier County121 reef deployments
- Martin County121 reef deployments
- Duval County107 reef deployments
- Manatee County106 reef deployments
- St. Lucie County92 reef deployments
Other Florida saltwater fish
red snapper questions and answers
What are the Florida rules for keeping red snapper?
2 a day (Gulf), size: 16 in minimum.
What does the Florida record red snapper weigh?
The record weighed 46.5 pounds (1985).
Which Florida waters hold red snapper?
Use the bay and county lists above to find red snapper.
Are red snapper stocked in Florida?
Not in the 2021-22 to 2023-24 reports for red snapper.
What size red snapper counts for a Big Catch certificate?
red snapper are not in the Big Catch program.
What is the taxonomic name of red snapper?
Lutjanus campechanus.
Can I fish for red snapper without a license?
Yes, a Florida saltwater license from age 16 unless exempt.
Can I keep red snapper year round?
red snapper are open all year.
What sources cover red snapper here?
FWC, which sets Florida fishing rules.