Mangrove (Gray) Snapper regulations
Light leaders and small live baits or shrimp around docks, bridges, reefs and mangroves. Summer offshore spawning bite is the peak.
Applies to: state and adjacent federal waters · Licenses: State Reef Fish Survey registration required
| Species / zone | Season | Size | Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray (Mangrove) Snapper Gulf of America boundarystate and federal waters unless specified; Gulf state waters are from shore to 9 miles | open now Open year-round | State: 10" TL; Federal: 12" TL | State: 5 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit; Federal: 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit | |
| Gray (Mangrove) Snapper Atlantic boundarystate and federal waters unless specified; Atlantic state waters are from shore to 3 miles | open now Open year-round | State: 10" TL; Federal: 12" TL | State: 5 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit; Federal: 10 per person within the 10 snapper aggregate bag limit | Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park |
- Reef fish gear requirements apply
- Make sure you're signed up for the State Reef Fish Survey
- Return ‘Em Right resource available for best release practices
Source: FWC, extracted 2026-09-12. Review flags: Gulf Red Snapper closed periods are derived from the specific open days listed for the Fall season; exact closed dates between open windows are inferred based on the calendar structure provided.; Lane Snapper Gulf regulations note a change effective April 1, 2026; current page text reflects the new limits (10" min, 20 bag) for State waters.
Seasonal pattern
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Forecasts by region
- Mangrove (Gray) Snapper in Panhandle
- Mangrove (Gray) Snapper in Big Bend and Nature Coast
- Mangrove (Gray) Snapper in Tampa Bay
- Mangrove (Gray) Snapper in Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor
- Mangrove (Gray) Snapper in Southwest and Ten Thousand Islands
- Mangrove (Gray) Snapper in Florida Keys
- Mangrove (Gray) Snapper in Southeast Florida
- Mangrove (Gray) Snapper in Treasure Coast
- Mangrove (Gray) Snapper in Space Coast
- Mangrove (Gray) Snapper in First Coast