The recreational red snapper harvest season in all Gulf of Mexico waters off Florida has reopened, but snook season is over.
Anglers may take two red snapper daily from Gulf waters during the open season; however, the captain and crew of for-hire vessels in the Gulf may not keep the recreational bag limit.
The minimum size limit for recreational red snapper in the Gulf is 16 inches total length.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has scheduled a final public hearing on June 18 in Crystal River on a proposed rule that would close the Gulf recreational red snapper harvest season on Aug. 15.
This would make the red snapper sport-harvest season in Gulf state waters the same as the June 1 through Aug. 14 season in Gulf federal waters.
Florida state waters extend nine nautical miles from shore in the Gulf, and federal waters extend beyond state waters.
Snook season closes
The recreational harvest season for snook closed June 1 in Florida’s Atlantic coastal and inland waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River.
The recreational harvest season for snook in all other Florida waters closed on May 1.
Snook season will reopen in all Florida waters on Sept. 1.
Seasonal harvest closures protect Florida’s valuable snook populations and help sustain and improve the fishery for the future.
