Red snapperin Florida (Atlantic)
Lutjanus campechanus
Also called Genuine red, American red.
The rule in Florida (Atlantic)
Florida (Atlantic)’s own rule for red snapper in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
2026 EFP season was halted by federal court; Atlantic state waters remain open under 20 in/2-fish rule — verify before trips.
Counts toward an aggregate limit: Snapper aggregate (10).
Measured as total length (TL): snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
FWC 2026· checked Open
Beyond 3 miles: federal waters
A different rule past the 3-mile line, written by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Where the two differ, the water you are in decides.
A limited fall 2026 reopening may be announced by separate notice.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Often mistaken for, and their Florida (Atlantic) rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red snapperThis page. | 20 in TL min | 2 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate) | State waters currently open; federal waters closed |
| Vermilion snapperSmaller, streamlined, forked tail, no heavy jaw.Tell them apart | 12 in TL min | 5 per person (not in snapper aggregate) | Open year-round |
| Red grouperGrouper mouth and rounded tail, mottled brick red.Tell them apart | 20 in TL min | Up to 3 within 3-grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec 31 |
Florida (Atlantic) state record
46.5 lb, Destin, 1985. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Uniform rose red, red eye, pointed anal fin; adults lack the dark side spot. More on the red snapper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Red snapper in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a red snapper in Florida (Atlantic) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appRed snapper in Florida (Atlantic): the questions
What is the size limit for red snapper in Florida (Atlantic)?
20 in TL min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many red snapper can you keep in Florida (Atlantic)?
2 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate). It counts toward an aggregate: Snapper aggregate (10).
When is red snapper season in Florida (Atlantic)?
State waters currently open; federal waters closed.
What is the Florida (Atlantic) record red snapper?
46.5 lb, Destin (1985).
How current is this Florida (Atlantic) red snapper rule?
Source: FWC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.