Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to close Red Snapper Season in Federal Waters

AUSTIN, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced the private recreational angler red snapper season in federal waters will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6.

According to officials, after the closing date, anglers may continue to harvest up to four red snappers daily with a 15-inch minimum length limit in Texas state waters out to nine nautical miles.

Officials note under the agreement with TPWD and the National Marine Fisheries Service, TPWD can establish the opening and closing of the red snapper in federal waters off the Texas Coast and is charged with closing federal waters when the allotted poundage is reached for the year.

“The federal water season offered over three months of red snapper fishing opportunities to the people of Texas even though the storms clearly had an impact on anglers getting out to fish,” said Robin Riechers, TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division Director. “We look forward to continuing to work with Texas’ saltwater anglers to maintain this important fishery and hopefully offer longer federal red snapper seasons in the future.”

TPWD officials note the Sept. 6 closing date concludes a 98-day season in federal waters; however, state waters will remain open until the allotted poundage is reached.

Officials said that TPWD closely monitors federal red snapper landings through its creel survey program and the Texas Hunt & Fish mobile app.

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