Texas Red Snapper Season Snaps Shut Until 2026
Published Date: 11/2/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting November 21, 2025, private anglers fishing for red snapper in Gulf federal waters off Texas must stop until January 1, 2026. This temporary closure helps protect red snapper from being overfished and keeps the catch within safe limits. If you love fishing for red snapper, plan ahead to avoid missing out and help keep the fish population healthy!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Red snapper private-angling closure Nov 21–Jan 1
If you fish for red snapper in Gulf federal waters off Texas, you must stop from 12:01 a.m. local time on November 21, 2025, until 12:01 a.m. local time on January 1, 2026. During this time the harvest and possession of red snapper in the EEZ off Texas by private anglers is prohibited and the bag and possession limit is zero.
Rule applies only to private anglers
This closure applies only to private anglers (vessels without a valid charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish). It does not apply to the Federal for-hire component, and it applies to private anglers regardless of which state they live in or where they plan to land fish.
Texas may keep state waters open year‑round
Texas intends to keep a year-round red snapper season in state waters while the EEZ off Texas is closed. That means you may still be able to fish for red snapper in Texas state waters even while the federal EEZ is closed.
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Key Dates
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