SlotGaugeCheck a catchRed Snapper regulations in North Carolina
Snappers · Saltwater · 2026 season
Red Snapper size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi, SAFMC) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
Notes
- Closed. NOAA opens short red snapper seasons by announcement (the 2026 season was Oct 9–11, 1 per person, no size limit); watch DMF proclamations and safmc.net for the next one.
- Also listed on the DMF prohibited finfish list for coastal and joint waters.
- Snapper-grouper gear rules: non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks with natural bait; a dehooking tool and a descending device (16 oz weight, 60 ft line) must be on board; fish must be landed with heads and fins intact.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Possession prohibited (2026 limited season Oct 9–11 has ended)
- Size
- None
- Limit
- Possession prohibited
- NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “It shall be unlawful to possess red snapper taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the red snapper
Species of fish
The northern red snapper is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, where it inhabits environments associated with reefs. This species is commercially important and is also sought after as a game fish.
Read more about Northern red snapper on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.
All 120 North Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Red Snapper in North Carolina?
No size limit in North Carolina state waters.
How many Red Snapper can you keep per day in North Carolina?
Possession prohibited.
When is Red Snapper season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Red Snapper a keeper today?
Red Snapper is closed to harvest. Release it.