NOAA sets a 147-day Gulf red snapper season for federal for-hire boats

NOAA Fisheries set the 2026 red snapper season for vessels with a federal for-hire reef-fish permit at 147 days in Gulf federal waters. The season opened June 1 and is scheduled to close Oct. 26, local time, unless the annual catch target is hit earlier — or later, if NOAA reopens on updated landings.

The federal for-hire quota is 3,380,574 pounds whole weight. The annual catch target is 91 percent of that, 3,076,322 pounds, the same buffer as 2025. NOAA built the day count from recent catch rates and average weights. Private-angler days are a separate allocation and are not this bulletin.

A longer charter window is real opportunity. It is still a quota fishery. Hail-out and permit rules still apply. If you book a trip, confirm the boat’s federal for-hire permit and watch NOAA’s Gulf text alerts for an early close.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: NOAA Fisheries, NOAA Fisheries Announces the 2026 Gulf of America Red Snapper Recreational Federal For-Hire Season (FB26-014), April 1, 2026.