Maryland state waters, out to 3 miles
Maryland umbrella rule covering all snapper species.
MD DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Vermilion snapperSmaller, streamlined, forked tail, no heavy jaw. Tell them apart
Red grouperGrouper mouth and rounded tail, mottled brick red. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
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 states10 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for red snapper in Maryland?
No size limit.
How many red snapper can you keep in Maryland?
20 aggregate; max 10 of any one species. Counts toward the Snapper species (20 combined, max 10 per species) aggregate.
When is red snapper season in Maryland?
Open year-round.
How current is this Maryland red snapper rule?
Source: MD DNR 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.
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