RED SNAPPER
RECREATIONAL ANGLERS (PRIVATE AND STATE FOR-HIRE):
The season will be open seven days a week in both state and federal waters. The season will close if the annual catch limit (ACL) for recreational fishermen is projected to be reached at any point after the season opens. It will also close if the Gulf-wide quota is reached. Private recreational anglers can fish out to 200 nautical miles. Vessels with state for-hire permits can fish in state territorial waters, which is nine nautical miles south of the barrier islands.
FEDERAL FOR-HIRE VESSELS ONLY
NOAA Fisheries has announced the Gulf federal for-hire Red Snapper season will open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 1, 2023. This season is independent from the Mississippi Red Snapper Season and applies only to federally permitted vessels.
REPORTING TO TAILS N’ SCALES
Choose one method. Preferred method is through the iPhone or Android App.
NEED HELP?
For additional assistance, contact us either at (228) 325-1585, or email at snapper@dmr.ms.gov.
RED SNAPPER SEASON FINALIZED RESULTS
| YEAR | QUOTA (lbs.) | LANDINGS (lbs.) | AVERAGE WEIGHT (lbs.) | DAYS OPEN | VESSEL TRIPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2018 |
137,949 |
131,914 |
5.82 |
75 |
4,511 |
|
2019 |
151,584 |
150,279 |
5.54 |
78 |
5,423 |
|
2020 |
151,550 |
142,044 |
6.46 |
46 |
4,487 |
|
2021 |
151,550 |
143,043 |
6.63 |
119 |
4,968 |
|
2022 |
151,550 |
TBA |
TBD |
TBD |
TBA |
RED SNAPPER REGULATIONS INFORMATION
Federal law requires NON-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural baits while fishing for all reef species (snappers, trigger fish, groupers and amber jacks).
UPDATE: The DESCEND Act was signed on January 13, 2021, by President Trump and became effective on January 13, 2022. It added a new section 321 to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which requires commercial and recreational fishermen to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone (0 – 200 nautical miles). The DESCEND Act defines both venting tools and descending devices. For definitions on qualifying devices and more information, please click the links:
UPDATE: In February 2020, Amendment 50 was approved by both the Secretary of Commerce and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. This Amendment allows for the five Gulf states to individually manage their red snapper season. For more information, please click the link: www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/02/06/2020-01653/fisheries-of-the-carribean-gulf-of-mexico-and-south-atlantic-reef-fishery-of-the-gulf-of-mexico.
9 NAUTICAL MILE LINE FOR REEF FISH ONLY
Coordinates as Decimal Degrees
-
1 - 30.165829; -89.096476
-
2 - 30.098368; -88.855923
-
3 - 30.082368; -88.827431
-
4 - 30.092052; -88.811151
-
5 - 30.082674; -88.766882
-
6 - 30.082234; -88.727841
-
7 - 30.074111; -88.690866
-
8 - 30.071875; -88.655975
-
9 - 30.065641; -88.616666
-
10 - 30.064311; -88.605000
-
11 - 30.064649; -88.564103
-
12 - 30.055865; -88.540000
-
13 - 30.048622; -88.509499
-
14 - 30.040815; -88.456771
-
15 - 30.050340; -88.379419
-
16 - 30.158541; -88.384432
Coordinates as Degrees Minutes Seconds
-
1 - 30° 9' 56.9838"; -89° 5' 47.313"
-
2 - 30° 5' 54.1248"; -88° 51' 21.3228"
-
3 - 30° 4' 56.5278"; -88° 49' 38.7552"
-
4 - 30° 5' 31.3902"; -88° 48' 40.143"
-
5 - 30° 4' 57.6264"; -88° 46' 0.7746"
-
6 - 30° 4' 56.046"; -88° 43' 40.2306"
-
7 - 30° 4' 26.799"; -88° 41' 27.1206"
-
8 - 30° 4' 18.7494"; -88° 39' 21.5094"
-
9 - 30° 3' 56.3112"; -88° 37' 0.0012"
-
10 - 30° 3' 51.5232"; -88° 36' 18"
-
11 - 30° 3' 52.74"; -88° 33' 50.7708"
-
12 - 30° 3' 21.1176"; -88° 32' 24"
-
13 - 30° 2' 55.0422"; -88° 30' 34.2"
-
14 - 30° 2' 26.937"; -88° 27' 24.3756"
-
16 - 30° 9' 30.7512"; -88° 23' 3.9588"
-
16 - 30.158541; -88.384432
