The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD) on Monday announced that Alabama state waters and federal waters will open to private vessel anglers for red snapper fishing on Friday, May 28, 2021.

The season will consist of four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, continuing until the private angler quota is projected to be met.

The season dates listed above only apply to anglers fishing from recreational vessels and state-licensed Alabama commercial party boats that do not hold federal for-hire fishing permits. Anglers fishing from federally permitted for-hire vessels have their own 63-day season from June 1 through August 3 at 12:01 a.m. local time.

As in recent years, Alabama will use Snapper Check to monitor landings during the season and will provide semi-weekly updates online here. The exact Alabama private angler quota has not yet been provided by the National Marine Fisheries service but is anticipated to be similar to the 2020 quota, which was 1,122,662 pounds. When the quota is anticipated to be met, MRD will announce a closure date.

The daily bag limit will be two red snapper per person, per day with a minimum size limit of 16 inches total length.

Anglers over the age of 16 must have an Alabama saltwater fishing license, and any Alabama resident 65 or older or a lifetime saltwater license holder must have a current saltwater angler registration.

All anglers 16 years of age and older who possess gulf reef fish, including red snapper, must have an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement.

Read more about relevant requirements and information here.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn