2025 Red Snapper Season Modified To Increase Fishing Opportunities

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that Alabama state and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on May 23. New in 2025, the season will be open seven days a week until June 30. The season will then transition to four-day weekends starting July 4 until the private angler quota is met. The Alabama private angler quota for 2025 is set by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and is anticipated to be 664,552 pounds. The previous weekend-only season format has been in place since 2017. Last fall, ADCNR conducted a series of public meetings and provided other ways to gain input from the public on the season. The consensus from that public input was overwhelmingly positive for this change. The season dates only apply to anglers fishing from shore, private recreational vessels and state-licensed Alabama commercial party boats that do not hold federal for-hire fishing permits. The season for anglers fishing from federally-permitted for-hire vessels will be announced by NOAA Fisheries at a future date. Alabama uses Snapper Check to monitor shore, private vessel and state charter angler landings during the season and will provide weekly updates. MRD will announce a season closure date when the 2025 quota is anticipated to be met.