Florida adds eight more harvest days to the 2026 private recreational Gulf red snapper fishing season

Florida – Florida recreational anglers will have more opportunities to catch Gulf red snapper this year after eight additional harvest days were added to the 2026 private recreational season.

The change keeps red snapper harvest open continuously from Oct. 9 through Oct. 22. The added dates are intended to line up recreational fishing opportunities on Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts, giving anglers another extended period to plan trips.

The rest of the 2026 season schedule remains unchanged from the dates previously announced.

Before the newly added October period begins, anglers can continue harvesting red snapper from Sept. 23 through Oct. 4. Following that stretch, the season will reopen for the 14 consecutive days from Oct. 9 through Oct. 22.

Additional opportunities are then scheduled on several weekends through the end of the year and into early 2027.

The updated schedule includes Oct. 23-25, followed by another opening from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. Anglers will also have opportunities on Nov. 7-8, Nov. 14-15 and Nov. 21-22.

Thanksgiving weekend will provide another extended fishing period, with the season open from Nov. 26 through Nov. 29.

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The December schedule includes Dec. 5-6, Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20. Red snapper harvest will also be allowed from Dec. 25 through Dec. 27 during Christmas weekend.

The final dates currently listed for the 2026 season extend into the new year. Anglers will have another opportunity from Jan. 1 through Jan. 4, 2027.

The Gulf private recreational red snapper season is available to recreational anglers fishing from private vessels in Florida Gulf state and federal waters.

The rules also cover charter for-hire vessels that do not hold a federal permit. However, those vessels have a different geographic restriction and may fish only in Florida Gulf state waters.

The additional October dates give anglers a longer consecutive period to plan fishing trips, rather than having to work around individual weekend openings. The change also creates a schedule that more closely matches recreational red snapper opportunities available along Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

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Anglers planning to fish during the remaining season should check the current regulations before heading out, since the dates apply specifically to the Gulf private recreational fishery and different rules can apply depending on the type of vessel and the waters being fished.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provides information about Gulf red snapper regulations and the 2026 season through its marine fishing resources.

Anglers can find the latest information at MyFWC.com/Marine by selecting “Recreational Regulations,” followed by “Reef Fish” and “Snapper.”

With the additional eight days now included, the remaining schedule provides multiple opportunities to target Gulf red snapper from late September through the beginning of January. The longest continuous opening will run from Oct. 9 through Oct. 22.