DeSantis announces expansion of recreational red snapper season

May 11, 2026 By Nathan Mayberg 1 min read

Governor Ron DeSantis was at the Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant in Fort Myers on Monday to announce an expansion of the recreational red snapper season in Florida. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

Governor Ron DeSantis was at the Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant in Fort Myers today to announce an expansion of the recreational red snapper season on the Gulf from 126 days last year to 140 days this year. The season runs from May 22-July 31, and then from Sept. 1-Oct. 4, Oct. 9-11, Oct. 16-18, Oct. 23-25, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Nov. 7-8. Nov. 14 – 15, Nov. 21 – 22, Nov. 26-29, December 5 – 6, 12 – 13, 19 – 20, Dec. 25-27 and Jan. 1-4. There is a limit of one fish per person.

The Atlantic red snapper season was significantly expanded from two days to 39 days from May 22 – June 20, and in October from Oct. 2 – 4, Oct. 9 – 11, a d Oct. 16 -18. Last year, recreational red snapper fishing on the Atlantic was limited to two days.

DeSantis said the large expansion of the Atlantic red snapper fishing season, was secured through the state requesting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration permission to manage recreational red snapper fisheries in both state and federal waters.

You must be a Florida registered fisherman to catch red snapper.