Red Snapper
Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS
Lutjanus campechanus
Illustration © Diane Rome Peebles
Illustration provided for viewing purposes only
Description: color pinkish red over entire body, whitish below; long triangular snout; anal fin sharply pointed; no dark lateral spot; red eye
Similar fish: silk snapper, L. vivanus
Where found: offshore on the continental shelf, more plentiful off Texas and the Florida Panhandle than in south or middle Florida.
Remarks: juveniles occur over sandy or mud bottoms and are often taken in shrimp trawls; adults may live more than 20 years, and attain 35 pounds or more; sexual maturity attained at age 2; spawns June to October; feeds on crustaceans and fish
Possession and Size Limits: Two fish per person, 16” TL size limit. Captain and crew prohibited from retaining a bag limit while under charter.
Federal Recreational Season: Opens June 21 - closure dependent upon landings projections and is usually announced in early April.
NOTICE: The Regional Administrator is authorized to close the recreational red snapper fishery if the allocation is met or projected to be met. The Regional Administrator may also reopen the season if necessary, to assure allocation can be reached.
