South Atlantic federal red snapper opens three days, Oct. 9–11

NOAA Fisheries set the 2026 federal recreational red snapper season in the South Atlantic at three days, October 9 through October 11. That is one day longer than last year’s two-day opening. The temporary rule published in the Federal Register today (Sept. 23, 2026; 91 FR 60334) opens the season at 12:01 a.m. local time on Oct. 9 and closes it at 12:01 a.m. local time on Oct. 12. During those days the bag is one red snapper per person, with no minimum or maximum size. When the clock runs out, the recreational bag and possession limit in the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone goes to zero.

The recreational annual catch limit is 22,797 fish, and the length of the season is the accountability measure. NOAA sized the three-day window from North Carolina catch rates. North Carolina did not apply for an exempted fishing permit this year, so anglers there are on the federal dates only. The commercial red snapper sector in the same federal waters has been closed since Aug. 24 and stays closed through Dec. 31.

The Sept. 22 NOAA release also covers exempted fishing permits issued to Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Eligible participants in those state projects can fish an extended recreational season from Oct. 9 through Oct. 22 under each permit’s own rules. Fish landed on an EFP do not stack on top of this three-day federal season. The Federal Register says EFP participants have to land red snapper under their state’s permit and cannot also fish the recreational season in this temporary rule. After the October numbers are in, NOAA and the states will decide together whether a second season can open in December. Florida’s Atlantic season is already posted on this site. Georgia and South Carolina rules are in separate briefs today.

Photo: Grayson Shepard, via NOAA Fisheries.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: NOAA Fisheries — 2026 federal recreational red snapper season and exempted fishing permits (Sept. 22, 2026). Rule: Federal Register, 91 FR 60334 (Sept. 23, 2026).