Gator Lake

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that as of Friday, August 29, 2025, red snapper season will be open seven days a week until the private angler quota of 664,552 pounds is met.

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, see Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

The Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces that Alabama state waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on Friday, May 24, 2024. The season will consist of four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, beginning Friday, May 24, and was closed on December 31, 2024. For more information, see Outdoor Alabama.

The owner or operator of each vessel landing red snapper in Alabama is required by law to complete one landing report per vessel trip of their harvested red snapper through Snapper Check prior to removing the fish from the boat or the boat with the fish being removed from the water. All landed red snapper are required to be reported prior to landing regardless of the jurisdiction in which the fish were caught. Greater amberjack and gray triggerfish are also required to be reported when the season is open and must be reported in Snapper Check. When the quota is anticipated to be met, MRD will announce a closure date.

For more info see Alabama Red Snapper FAQs or Outdoor Alabama. Harvested red snapper must be reported on one Snapper Check report per vessel trip before fish are landed in Alabama. And, anglers must have a valid Alabama saltwater fishing license, as required, when in possession of any saltwater fish species in Alabama waters. Reef Fish Endorsement is required for Red Snapper. Possession of red snapper in state waters while the Alabama season is closed is prohibited. Anglers fishing under another state's season must abide by that state's rules and land fish in that state. Individuals on vessels with red snapper may not transit Alabama state waters while the Alabama season is closed. Free Saltwater Angler Registration is required for all residents 16 and over who take, catch, kill, or possess fish or attempt to catch, kill or possess fish in the saltwater jurisdiction of Alabama. This includes residents who are not required to purchase an annual saltwater license such as those over the age of 64, have a lifetime saltwater license or fish exclusively on a pier that has purchased a pier fishing license. A Reef Fish Endorsement is required for all resident and non-resident anglers 16 years of age and older, and includes disabled, veterans appreciation, 65 and older, lifetime license holders, pier licenses, annual saltwater licenses, trip licenses, commercial fishermen, and charter boats.