Snapper, Red

Red Snapper Season in Texas State Waters

Open: Year-round

Applies to: Private recreational anglers in state waters.

The federal for-hire season opens June 1, 2025. Anglers fishing from federally-permitted for-hire vessels in federal waters may retain 2 fish per person with a 16-inch minimum size limit.

For more information about Red Snapper regulations in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico, see Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

Red snapper may be taken using pole and line, but it is unlawful to use any kind of hook other than a circle hook when using natural bait.

All commercial and recreational anglers must possess a venting tool or a rigged descending device on their boat while fishing for reef fish in federal water. This is improve the proportion of released fish that survive. 

For information about Red Snapper regulations see TPWD Red Snapper and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.