SlotGaugeCheck a catchRed Snapper regulations in South Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Red Snapper size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 20 inch minimum | 2 per person per day (state waters only) |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
Notes
- A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' userNotes. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://dnr.sc.gov/redsnapper/
- Federal waters: possession prohibited outside the short NOAA/SAFMC season announced each year — see safmc.net.
- State waters (0–3 mi) have no closed season; federal closures from SAFMC apply beyond 3 mi and can change mid-year when catch limits are met — check safmc.net before an offshore trip.
Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording
- Season
- Open year-round in state waters
- Size
- 20 inch total length
- Limit
- 2 per person per day (state waters only)
- statewide — as printed
- “Red Snapper | Possession prohibited in federal waters except during the announced federal mini-season | 2 per person per day (state waters only) | 20 inch total length”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (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 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, not Wikipedia.
All 106 South Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Red Snapper in South Carolina?
20 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.
How many Red Snapper can you keep per day in South Carolina?
2 per person per day (state waters only).
When is Red Snapper season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Red Snapper a keeper today?
A red snapper is a keeper today if it measures at least 20 inches, with a daily limit of 2.