Florida's snook harvest season closes May 1 in many regions. (Shutterstock image)
August 29, 2024
By Florida Sportman
Recreational harvest of gag grouper, snook and red snapper in Florida waters opens Sept. 1, just in time for the Labor Day weekend.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds anglers of the following fishing opportunities.
GULF GAG GROUPER The 2024 recreational gag grouper season in Gulf state waters will be open Sept. 1-15 and close at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 16.
Earlier this year, the FWC issued an executive order to modify the recreational season of gag grouper in Gulf state waters, excluding all state waters off Monroe County. The season was modified to prevent overfishing following the quota overage that occurred in 2023 and to be consistent with the season in adjacent federal waters.
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Current recreational gag grouper regulations
GULF RED SNAPPER The Gulf red snapper recreational fall season is open Sept. 1 through Nov. 30 for 3-day weekends, the FWC says. The fall red snapper season for private recreational anglers and state for-hire operations in the Gulf of Mexico will be open on the following weekends:
Sept. 1–2 (Sunday through Monday of Labor Day Weekend)Sept. 6–8 Sept. 13–15 Sept. 20–22 Sept. 27–29 Oct. 4–6 Oct. 11–13 Oct. 18–20 Oct. 25–27 Nov. 1–3 Nov. 8–11 (Veterans Day Weekend)Nov. 15–17 Nov. 22–24 Nov. 28–30 (Thursday through Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend)Recreational anglers may harvest red snapper during these weekends in Gulf state and federal waters. However, state for-hire operations are limited to fishing for red snapper in Gulf state waters only. The FWC will continue to monitor harvest relative to Florida’s available quota.
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Learn more about the recreational red snapper season in Gulf state and federal waters .
Florida's snook fishing regions. SNOOK The recreational harvest of snook opens back up in many regions on Sept. 1, according to FWC regs. Here’s a look:
Panhandle Closed Season : December 1 until end of February, and May 1–August 31.Slot Limit : Not less than 28 inches or more than 33 inches in total length.Bag Limit : One fish per person per day.Big Bend Closed Season : December 1 until end of February, and May 1–August 31.Slot Limit : Not less than 28 inches or more than 33 inches total length.Bag Limit : One fish per person per day.Tampa Bay Closed Season : December 1 until end of February, and May 1–August 31.Slot Limit : Not less than 28 inches or more than 33 inches total length.Bag Limit : One fish per person per day.Sarasota Bay Closed Season : December 1 until end of February, and May 1–August 31.Slot Limit : Not less than 28 inches or more than 33 inches total length.Bag Limit : One fish per person per day.Southeast Closed Season : December 15–January 31, and June 1–August 31.Slot Limit : Not less than 28 inches or more than 32 inches total length.Bag Limit : One fish per person per day.Indian River Lagoon Closed Season : December 15–January 31, and June 1–August 31.Slot Limit : Not less than 28 inches or more than 32 inches total length.Bag Limit : One fish per person per day.Northeast Closed Season : December 15–January 31, and June 1–August 31.Slot Limit : Not less than 28 inches or more than 32 inches total length.Bag Limit : One fish per person per day.Snook harvest remains closed until September 30 in these regions:
Charlotte Harbor Closed Season : December 1 until end of February, and May 1–September 30.Slot Limit : Not less than 28 inches or more than 33 inches total length.Bag Limit : One fish per person per day.Southwest Closed Season : December 1 until end of February, and May 1 – September 30.Slot Limit : Not less than 28 inches or more than 33 inches total length.Bag Limit : One fish per person per day.Get more info on snook fishing in Florida .
