Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanus
Also called Genuine red, American red.
How to tell it
Uniform rose red, red eye, pointed anal fin; adults lack the dark side spot.
Often mistaken for
Two fish that get called red snapper, and what gives each one away.
- Vermilion snapper: Smaller, streamlined, forked tail, no heavy jaw. Tell them apart
- Red grouper: Grouper mouth and rounded tail, mottled brick red. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16 in total length minimum | 2 per person | 2026 AL season opened May 22, 7 days/week in state and federal waters until quota met or Dec 31AL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limit (Oct 9–22 season) | 1 per person per day (within a 10-fish snapper-grouper aggregate) | 2026: Oct 9–22 only, in state and federal waters (FWC Executive Order 26-33)FWC Executive Order 26-33 (Sep 22, 2026) · checked | Closed |
| Florida (Gulf) | 16 in TL min | 2 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate) | 2026: May 22 – Jul 31; Sep 1 – Oct 4; daily Oct 9–22; Fri–Sun Oct 23–25 and Oct 30 – Nov 1; Sat–Sun Nov 7–8, 14–15, 21–22; Nov 26–29; Dec 5–6, 12–13, 19–20; Dec 25–27; Jan 1–4, 2027FWC 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Georgia | 20 in total length | 2 per person per day | Open year-roundGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | 16 in total length | 4 per person | 2026: May 1 – Aug 9, reopened Aug 27–30 and Sep 4–7; closed until further noticeLDWF 2026 (Aug 23 reopening release) · checked | Closed |
| Maryland | No size limit | 20 aggregate; max 10 of any one species | Open year-roundMD DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 16 in total length minimum | 2 per person | 2026: May 22 – Jul 5; Sep 4–7; Fri–Sun weekends Sep 11–27. Closed for the rest of 2026 (quota met).MS DMR 2026 (release 26-40-CWS, Oct 1) · checked | Closed |
| North Carolina | No size limit | 1 per person per day (Oct 9–11 only) | Closed except Oct 9–11, 2026NC DMF Proclamation FF-40-2026 (Sep 28, 2026), Section VI · checked | Closed |
| South Carolina | 20 in total length | 2/day | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Texas | 15 in total length | 4 | Open year-round (Texas state waters)TPWD 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 44 lb 12 oz | 2002 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 46.5 lb | 1985 · Destin | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Georgia | 37 lb 8 oz | 1988 | GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 50.25 lb | 1996 · S. Timbalier Blk. 185 | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 37 lb 11.2 oz | 1995 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| North Carolina | 40 lb | 1970 · Off Cape Lookout | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 37 lb 8 oz | 1964 · Little River | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 38.75 lb | 2014 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
How anglers catch it
Cigar minnows or a live pinfish on a knocker rig over wrecks, reefs and ledges; circle hooks required with bait.
On the table
Excellent — but large individuals may carry elevated mercury.
In the app
Point the camera at a red snapper and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about red snapper
What is the size limit for red snapper?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 16 in total length minimum; Florida (Gulf): 16 in TL min; Georgia: 20 in total length; Louisiana: 16 in total length; Mississippi: 16 in total length minimum; South Carolina: 20 in total length; Texas: 15 in total length.
How many red snapper can you keep?
Alabama: 2 per person; Florida (Atlantic): 1 per person per day (within a 10-fish snapper-grouper aggregate); Florida (Gulf): 2 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate); Georgia: 2 per person per day; Louisiana: 4 per person; Maryland: 20 aggregate; max 10 of any one species; Mississippi: 2 per person; North Carolina: 1 per person per day (Oct 9–11 only); and more in the table above.
When is red snapper season?
Alabama: 2026 AL season opened May 22, 7 days/week in state and federal waters until quota met or Dec 31; Florida (Atlantic): 2026: Oct 9–22 only, in state and federal waters (FWC Executive Order 26-33); Florida (Gulf): 2026: May 22 – Jul 31; Sep 1 – Oct 4; daily Oct 9–22; Fri–Sun Oct 23–25 and Oct 30 – Nov 1; Sat–Sun Nov 7–8, 14–15, 21–22; Nov 26–29; Dec 5–6, 12–13, 19–20; Dec 25–27; Jan 1–4, 2027; Louisiana: 2026: May 1 – Aug 9, reopened Aug 27–30 and Sep 4–7; closed until further notice; Mississippi: 2026: May 22 – Jul 5; Sep 4–7; Fri–Sun weekends Sep 11–27. Closed for the rest of 2026 (quota met).; North Carolina: Closed except Oct 9–11, 2026.
How do you tell red snapper from vermilion snapper?
Red Snapper: Uniform rose red, red eye, pointed anal fin; adults lack the dark side spot. Vermilion snapper: smaller, streamlined, forked tail, no heavy jaw.
How do you catch red snapper?
Cigar minnows or a live pinfish on a knocker rig over wrecks, reefs and ledges; circle hooks required with bait. Methods: bottom, live bait, jigging. Baits: cigar minnow, pinfish, squid, cut bait, sardine. Lures: bucktail, metal jig.
What is the record red snapper?
50.25 lb in Louisiana (1996), S. Timbalier Blk. 185. Other states’ records are in the table.