Today, May 26, was supposed to be the fourth day of red snapper fishing season for anglers on Florida’s East Coast. But Southeast Florida’s 39-day extended Atlantic red snapper fishing season was abruptly put on pause the night before it was supposed to begin on May 22. And there were no changes over the long Memorial Day weekend.
On May 21, the eve of red snapper season, a federal judge the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) described as “rogue,” issued a ruling that is stalling the season for recreational anglers on Florida’s Southeast Coast. The ruling doesn’t apply to commercial fisheries fishing for red snapper in federal waters off the East Coast of Florida.
While anglers on the Gulf Coast will have no problem hitting the water to fish for red snapper this season, fishermen on Florida’s East Coast will have to wait. And it’s unclear how long they will have to wait before trying to catch some of the most sought-after saltwater fish for eating.
As of Tuesday, May 26, there has been no change to the ruling. The FWC’s May 22 statement that says it “will continue fighting for our fishing communities” is still the most recent update.
The FWC is allowing recreational fishing for red snapper within state waters on the Atlantic side of Florida, but anglers have pointed out that the 3 miles of water that belong to the state of Florida are not where red snapper are usually caught.
Here’s what anglers in Florida should know about the pause on the Atlantic red snapper season after the long weekend and where to look for updates.
Red snapper season in Florida federally blocked for the East Coast. FWC pushes back
Red snapper season on Florida’s Gulf Coast is open for the summer. It began on Friday, May 22, and will end on July 31, before picking back up on Sept. 1.
But fishing for red snapper from Florida’s east coast is currently paused, due to U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras’ ruling that is in effect for federal waters.
On Thursday, May 21, Judge Contreras ruled to pause new South Atlantic exempted fishing permits that were issued in early May by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the National Marine Fisheries Service and extended the recreational red snapper fishing season to 39 days, citing commercial fisheries and activist concerns over potential overfishing. The ruling doesn’t apply to commercial fisheries.
This means that recreational anglers technically can go fishing for red snapper off of Florida’s east coast as of May 26, but can only fish within 3 miles from the shore, according to the FWC’s website.
The best red snapper fishing is typically more than 3 miles offshore, in federal waters.
“On May 21, 2026, a rogue federal judge sided with activists in an attempt to block Floridians from exercising their right to fish through the recently approved Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) for Atlantic Red Snapper issued by NOAA Fisheries earlier this month,” the FWC said on May 22.
“As a result of this ruling, NOAA has temporarily stalled Florida‘s Atlantic Red Snapper EFP. However, the agencies stand together in opposition of this delay tactic and will continue fighting for our fishing communities.”
On May 22, the FWC also made an Instagram post in response to the ruling, including a picture of the Florida flag filling in an outline of a red snapper, with the caption “Come and take it.”
What is the zero-day red snapper plan? Is red snapper season closed in Florida?
The federal ruling paused the Atlantic red snapper recreational fishing season, effectively setting it at zero days and blocking recreational fishing for red snapper more than three miles off Florida’s East Coast.
In practice, as of May 26, you can’t fish for red snapper on the Atlantic side of Florida more than three miles offshore.
The Gulf Coast’s red snapper season was not affected by the ruling and will remain open through July 31, before starting again on Sept. 1. There is a two-per-person daily bag limit.
How far offshore do you catch red snapper?
According to Tradition Fishing Charters, a fishing charter company in Perdido Key, Florida, the most productive spots for red snapper fishing are 20 to 50 miles offshore. However, some smaller fish are occasionally caught about 10 to 15 miles offshore.
Who does the red snapper ruling affect in Florida?
The May 21 red snapper ruling affects recreational anglers and private charters, not commercial fisheries.
“The ruling does not affect the South Atlantic red snapper commercial season that NOAA Fisheries will announce at a later date,” NOAA said on May 21.
Where to find updates on red snapper season in Florida
For the most up-to-date information on red snapper seasons in Florida, visit the FWC’s webpage that covers when and where red snapper fishing is permitted.
“When the EFP is unfrozen and ultimately restored, FWC will issue an updated EO reestablishing the extended red snapper season, which will increase the nautical miles available for fishing,” the FWC’s most recent update says.
“FWC officers have been notified of the unpredictable nature of the situation and will ensure boaters are provided education within our jurisdictional waters.”
FWC also posts updates to its Instagram account, which is @myfwc.
You can also keep up-to-date through the NOAA Fisheries website and sign up for NOAA text alerts to notify you of any significant changes to fishing regulations.
To sign up for NOAA Fisheries text alerts for South Atlantic recreational fishery-related updates, text SATLRECFISH to 888777.
Contributing: Timothy O’Hara, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Lianna Norman is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, lotteries, rocket launches, Florida wildlife, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Is red snapper season in Florida still paused? Where to see updates
Reporting by Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
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