Expanded recreational season for Atlantic Red Snapper approved

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Friday that an expanded season for Atlantic Red Snapper in Florida has been approved and will go into effect May 22.

President Trump called it a huge win for anglers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, saying all state permits were approved.

DeSantis had been pushing to control management of the recreational red snapper in the Atlantic and to extend the season to 39 days for Florida anglers and for-hire operators.

During a news conference in Fernandina Beach in November, DeSantis said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has submitted an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to allow state management of the recreational red snapper season in the Atlantic beginning in 2026.

The EFP also proposed a 39-day recreational season. Last year, the fishing event was only two days.

“This will be very significant for the local economy here. It will also be very good for folks to be able to have more recreational activities,” DeSantis said.

The proposal included a two-phase season.

• The summer season would begin on May 22 to kick off Memorial Day weekend through the end of June
• The fall season would run on three-day weekends in October

The recreational red snapper season is currently overseen by the federal government and has been heavily restricted to end and prevent overfishing.

In 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a temporary rule to reduce overfishing of red snapper in the South Atlantic, meaning the recreational season would be reduced to only one day.

In 2025, NOAA Fisheries announced changes to the management of red snapper in the South Atlantic, including expanding the one-day fishing event to two days.

MORE | NOAA Fisheries announces changes to red snapper management in the South Atlantic, including 1-day expansion

DeSantis said he is thankful to have the support of the Trump administration, including Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

“We take pride in this announcement because we know how important it is to our state’s culture and our state’s economy,” the governor said.