The federal red snapper for-hire season in the Gulf of Mexico will reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 11 and close at 12:01 a.m.  on Jan. 1, 2026, NOAA Fisheries announced.

The reopening applies to vessels with federal for-hire charter or headboat reef fish permits.

The 2025 Gulf of Mexico red snapper season in federal waters originally ran for 107 days, opening June 1 and closing at 12:01 a.m.  on Sept. 16. Updated landings data show that the recreational federal for-hire annual catch target was not reached during that period. NOAA Fisheries said the additional December season allows federally permitted for-hire fishermen the chance to harvest the remaining allocation.

The agency stressed that the reopening does not affect private recreational anglers, whose seasons are set by state agencies. Anglers seeking information on state-managed seasons should contact their respective state fish and wildlife office.