Alabama 2025 Private Angler Red Snapper Season
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces that as of Friday, August 29, 2025, red snapper season will be open seven days a week until the private angler quota is met.
Alabama state waters and federal waters will be open 7 days a week from 12:01am Friday May 23, 2025, until 11:59 pm on Monday June 30, 2025. The season will then transition to four-day weekends (Friday - Monday) starting Friday July 4, 2025, until the private angler quota is met.
*Remember to report your red snapper, gray triggerfish and greater amberjack harvest through Snapper Check. In addition to an Alabama saltwater fishing license or saltwater angler registry a Reef Fish Endorsement is also required to land reef fish in Alabama.
*Operators of vessels with an Alabama Commercial Party Boat License without federal for-hire permits must abide by the state season, possess an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement for charter vessels and may only fish inside the 9-mile state waters line.
NOAA Fisheries Announces the 2025 Gulf of America Red Snapper Recreational For-Hire Season
The Gulf of America federal red snapper federal for hire season will open at 12:01am, local time, June 1, 2025, and will close at 12:01 am, local time, September 16, 2025.
The 2025 red snapper season for vessels with a federal for-hire reef fish permit is 107 days in federal waters of the Gulf of America.
Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish
Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish in state waters is open when federal waters are open. The bag limit is 1 per person and 15” minimum fork length. Gray triggerfish is closed annually the months of January/February and June/July.
*Remember to report your catch through Snapper Check. Reef Fish Endorsement is required
Recreational harvest of greater amberjack
Recreational harvest of greater amberjack in Alabama state waters is open when federal waters are open. The bag limit is 1 per person and 34" fork length.
*Remember to report your catch through Snapper Check. Reef Fish Endorsement is required.
Recreational harvest of Gag Grouper
Recreational harvest of gag grouper in Alabama state waters is open when federal waters are open.
Oyster Management Station (OMS) Oyster Grid Map - NEW!
Oyster harvesters can now view their locations and which harvest areas are open with ADCNR's OMS Oyster Grid Map.
Regulation Changes Beginning August 1, 2019
Beginning August 26, 2019
A Reef Fish Endorsement will be available for purchase for recreational licenses beginning August 26, 2019. Commercial license sales will begin on September 16, 2019. The Reef Fish Endorsement will be required for any person possessing, taking or attempting to take any gulf reef fish species listed in Rule 220-3-.46 (see below). This 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.
