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.
- Not a vermilion snapper? That one smaller, streamlined, forked tail, no heavy jaw. (Vermilion Snapper)
- Not a red grouper? That one grouper mouth and rounded tail, mottled brick red. (Red Grouper)
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) | 20 in TL min | 2 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate) | State waters currently open; federal waters closedFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 16 in TL min | 2 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate) | 2026: May 22 - Jul 31; Sep 1 - Oct 4; Oct-Nov weekends through Nov 22FWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| 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 season opened May 1, closed Aug. 9 at quota; LDWF may briefly reopen before Labor DayLDWF 2026 · 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 | May 22 – Jul 5, reopening Sep 4–7, 2026; weekends after if quota remainsMS DMR 2026 · checked | Closed |
| North Carolina | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-roundNC DMF 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| 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 · GA keeps men's/women's records; heavier taken as overall |
| 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 |
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 (Atlantic): 20 in TL min; 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): 2 per person (within 10-snapper 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; South Carolina: 2/day; and more in the table above.
Where is red snapper harvest prohibited?
North Carolina. Release it there.
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 (Gulf): 2026: May 22 - Jul 31; Sep 1 - Oct 4; Oct-Nov weekends through Nov 22; Mississippi: May 22 – Jul 5, reopening Sep 4–7, 2026; weekends after if quota remains.
How do you tell red snapper from vermilion snapper?
Red Snapper has this: Uniform rose red, red eye, pointed anal fin; adults lack the dark side spot.. Vermilion Snapper smaller, streamlined, forked tail, no heavy jaw.
What is the record red snapper?
50.25 lb in Louisiana (1996), S. Timbalier Blk. 185. Other states’ records are in the table.