Expanded Snapper Season Opens In Federal Waters

THE PRIVATE recreational angler red snapper season opens Monday, June 1, 2020 for a projected 63 days in federal waters.

Red snapper fishing is open year-round in state waters. The season length is based on historical landing data, last year’s fishing effort data and the state’s allocation from the 2019 stock assessment.

Bag and size limits will remain unchanged; two fish per person daily with a 16-inch minimum size limit in federal waters. In state waters, it’s four fish per person daily with a 15-inch minimum.

Tracy Allred holds a 38.25-inch red snapper she caught and released about 80 miles off Sabine Pass in January, 2013.
(Photo: Travis Allred)

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has granted the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) the authority to establish the opening and closing of the red snapper fishery in federal waters off the Texas coast for private recreational anglers fishing from their own vessels.

The federally permitted for-hire sector, which allows recreational anglers to fish from charter boats or headboats, will remain in its current management structure set by the federal government.

Texas must close the fishery when the state’s allotted poundage is reached. The red snapper season can also be closed in Texas if the Gulf-wide Total Allowable Catch is exceeded. TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division will be closely monitoring this fishery throughout the season and will close it when appropriate.

Bag and size limits are two fish per person daily with a 16-inch minimum. (Photo: Travis Allred)

At this time, the Covid-19 pandemic is not expected to affect the red snapper season, but TPWD will continue to monitor the situation and anglers should follow guidance from local authorities. The public will be notified of any closings through TPWD’s website, social media accounts and news releases.

The public can help TPWD better manage this resource by downloading the iSnapper app on your smartphone and reporting your red snapper landings.

Editor’s Note: At the time of this writing no changes had been made from coronavirus concerns and we don’t expect any changes, but it could happen. As we all have learned in the last few months, everything is in up in the air. Get up-to-date information at fishgame.com.

— TF&G Staff Report