Alabama marine officials announced that state and federal waters will open for private recreational anglers and state-licensed charter vessels for red snapper harvest on Friday, May 22 with a key change allowing fishing seven days a week through the end of the year or until the state’s quota is met.

Per a news release, the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said NOAA Fisheries set Alabama’s 2026 private angler quota at 664,552 pounds. In 2025, the season remained open for 196 days with an estimated harvest of 623,029 pounds of red snapper.

“Under state management we have the ability to adapt our red snapper season to meet the needs of anglers that fish in Alabama,” Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner, said in the release. “For 2026, we are modifying the season to 7 days a week which will give our private anglers and state licensed charter boats more flexibility when planning their fishing trips. We are excited to provide more opportunities to catch red snapper this year and anticipate another successful season.”

The May 22 opening applies to anglers fishing from shore, private recreational vessels and state-licensed Alabama commercial party boats that do not hold federal for-hire fishing permits.

Federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels will follow a separate schedule, opening at 12:01 a.m. local time June 1 and closing at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 26.

The Marine Resources Division said it will announce a closure date if the 2026 quota is projected to be met. Alabama uses Snapper Check to monitor landings from shore, private vessels and state-licensed charter anglers, with weekly updates posted at www.outdooralabama.com.

Anglers are subject to a daily bag limit of two red snapper per person per day with a minimum size of 16 inches total length.

State licensing and reporting requirements remain extensive. Anglers 16 years of age and older must hold an Alabama saltwater fishing license, either resident or nonresident, annual or trip. Residents 65 or older or lifetime saltwater license holders must also have a current saltwater angler registration, which is free and available at www.outdooralabama.com/saltwater-fishing/saltwater-angler-registration.

All anglers 16 and older who possess Gulf reef fish, including red snapper, must have an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement available at www.outdooralabama.com/saltwater-fishing/saltwater-reef-fish-endorsement.

Anglers under 16 are exempt from licensing, the endorsement and registration requirements but their catch must still be included in a landing report.

The vessel operator must complete one landing report per trip through Snapper Check before fish are removed from the vessel or the vessel is removed from the water. All red snapper landings must be reported regardless of where they are caught. Greater amberjack and gray triggerfish must also be reported when their seasons are open.

Fish caught from nonpowered vessels, piers and shorelines must also be reported through Snapper Check and require a Conservation ID number at https://game.dcnr.alabama.gov/CID.

Landing reports may be submitted through the Outdoor AL app or online at www.outdooralabama.com.

Officials noted that participation in a Marine Resources Division creel survey or an inspection by enforcement officers does not replace the requirement to submit a Snapper Check report.

Operators of vessels with an Alabama Commercial Party Boat License without federal for-hire permits must follow the state season, hold a Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement for charter vessels and remain inside the nine-mile state waters line. They must also complete Snapper Check landing reports when harvesting red snapper in Alabama.

Possession of red snapper in state waters is prohibited when the Alabama season is closed. Anglers fishing under another state’s red snapper season must follow that state’s regulations and land fish there. Vessels with recreationally caught red snapper may not transit Alabama state waters while the Alabama season is closed.

Operators of federally permitted for-hire vessels must also hold the Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement but are not required to report through Snapper Check. Federally permitted anglers may fish in state waters only during open state season days and may transit with red snapper during closures. Once the federal season closes, they may not fish in state or federal waters.

All vessels fishing for reef fish in federal waters must have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready for use.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources oversees marine resources, state parks, state lands and wildlife and freshwater fisheries. The agency promotes management and stewardship of Alabama’s natural resources. More information is available at www.outdooralabama.com.