NOAA finally released the official details of the Florida 2026 Atlantic Red Snapper season. They are somewhat different than the details announced earlier.

Florida recreational anglers will have a 39-day Atlantic Ocean red snapper season in 2026, running from May 22 through June 20, plus three-day weekends in October (2–4, 9–11, and 16–18). This significantly expanded season, approved on May 1, 2026, applies to state and federal waters off Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Season Structure: The 39-day season is broken into a summer,, 30-day block (May 22–June 20) and three weekends in October.

Approval & Management: The season, under an Approved Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), allows states to manage the recreational harvest

Bag Limit:
1 red snapper within a 10-fish snapper-grouper aggregate
The bag limit for a captain and crew on charter or headboat trip is zero

Minimum Size Limit: None

Data Collection: Anglers must continue to participate in state reporting programs (like the Florida State Reef Fish Angler designation) to monitor catch.