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Open Snapper Species in November
In November, several snapper species are open year-round or remain open under the FWC’s aggregate bag limits:
| Species | Area Affected | Minimum Size Limit | Daily Bag Limit | Key Rule |
| Red Snapper | Gulf State & Federal Waters (Private Vessels) | 20 inches TL | 2 per person | Open on Weekends & Holidays only (Fri-Sun, plus Veterans Day, Thanksgiving weekend, and Christmas weekend). |
| Gray Snapper (Mangrove) | Gulf State & Federal Waters | 10 inches TL | 10 per person | Open year-round. Included in the 10-snapper aggregate. |
| Lane Snapper | Gulf State & Federal Waters | 8 inches TL | 10 per person | Open year-round. Included in the 10-snapper aggregate. |
| Vermilion Snapper | Gulf State & Federal Waters | 10 inches TL | 10 per person | Open year-round. Not included in the 10-snapper aggregate. |
Open Grouper Species in November
While Gag Grouper’s season is extremely brief, many other key grouper species are open for harvest in Florida’s Gulf state waters during November.
- Red Grouper:OPEN year-round in Gulf state waters (0–9 nautical miles), with a 20-inch minimum size and a bag limit of 2 per person (within the 4-grouper aggregate).
- Note: The federal Red Grouper season (beyond 9 nautical miles) was extended through the end of 2025 due to a quota increase based on a new stock assessment.
- Black Grouper: OPEN year-round in Gulf state waters, with a 24-inch minimum size and a bag limit of 4 per person (within the 4-grouper aggregate).
- Scamp, Yellowfin, Yellowmouth, Rock Hind, Red Hind, Coney, Graysby: All of these grouper species are generally OPEN year-round in Gulf state waters, subject to their individual size limits and the 4-grouper aggregate limit.
Key Grouper Closures
- Gag Grouper: CLOSED. The recreational season for Gag Grouper in Gulf state and federal waters was only open for a short window (September 1 – September 14, 2025) and is now closed through the end of the year.
- Goliath Grouper: PROHIBITED. Harvest is prohibited in state and federal waters, except for those holding a rare, limited-entry harvest tag issued through a lottery.
Important Registration for Reef Fish
To fish for Red Snapper, Grouper, Hogfish, and other state-managed reef fish from a private recreational vessel in Florida’s Gulf waters, you must register as a State Reef Fish Angler (SRFA).
- Who: All anglers aged 16 and older, even if exempt from the standard fishing license.
- Cost: No cost.
- Action: Register annually at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com
Additional Resources and Sources
| Species/Topic | Source/Authority | Link for Latest Information |
| Snapper Regulations (All Species) | FWC | MyFWC.com/Snappers |
| Grouper Regulations (All Species) | FWC | MyFWC.com/Groupers |
| State Reef Fish Angler Registration | FWC | GoOutdoorsFlorida.com |
