Keith Lusher 12.16.25
Federal red snapper fishing for charter and headboat anglers in the Gulf of America is getting a late season reopening after federal managers determined that the annual catch limit was not reached earlier this year.
NOAA Fisheries announced that the federal red snapper for-hire season reopened at 12:01 a.m. local time on December 11, 2025. The season will remain open through the end of the year and will close again at 12:01 a.m. local time on January 1, 2026.
The decision follows a review of updated landings data from the 2025 season. Federally permitted charter and headboat vessels previously had a 107-day red snapper season in federal waters. That season opened June 1, 2025, and closed at 12:01 a.m. local time on September 16, 2025.
After analyzing the final harvest numbers, NOAA Fisheries determined that anglers fishing aboard federally permitted for-hire vessels did not reach the recreational federal for-hire annual catch target for red snapper. Because some of the allocation remained unharvested, the agency opted to reopen the season to allow charter and headboat operators to catch the remaining fish.
According to NOAA Fisheries, the reopening applies only to vessels that hold federal for-hire reef fish permits. These include charter boats and headboats that take paying passengers into federal waters of the Gulf of America.
Private recreational anglers are not included in this reopening. NOAA emphasized that red snapper seasons for private anglers are set by individual state agencies and are not affected by the federal for-hire decision. In Louisiana, the recreational private angler red snapper season is currently closed.
Federal officials are urging private anglers to check directly with their state fish and wildlife agencies for the most up to date information on state red snapper seasons, regulations, and any potential changes.
For federally permitted charter captains and headboat operators, the December reopening provides additional fishing opportunities during a time of year when offshore trips can be limited. NOAA Fisheries said the move allows access while still keeping total harvests within conservation targets established for the 2025 season.
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