Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a 17-day extension to the Gulf Red Snapper fishing season, offering Florida families and visitors more opportunities to enjoy fishing during the holiday season. This decision comes as a way to compensate for lost fishing time due to recent hurricanes.
The extended season will run through key dates in December, allowing anglers to take advantage of the additional days of fishing in the Gulf. The move comes shortly after the reopening of the 2024 Recreational For-Hire Season by NOAA.
“Thanks to our state’s strong stewardship, we are able to provide these extra days of Gulf Red Snapper fishing during December,” said DeSantis. “Many Floridians are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and we hope this extension gives families a chance to enjoy fishing together this holiday season.”
Prior to the hurricanes, Governor DeSantis had announced a record 103-day Gulf Red Snapper recreational season. He pledged to reassess the situation and add more days if necessary, and with this new extension, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is optimistic about a successful fishing season next year, even with the added time.
Extended Gulf Red Snapper Season Schedule
The updated Gulf Red Snapper fishing dates for the remainder of 2024 are as follows:
- November 22-24
- November 28-30 (Thanksgiving Holiday)
- December 6-8
- December 13-15
- December 20-22
- December 24-31 (Christmas Eve through New Year’s Eve)
“We are thrilled to offer these additional fishing days for Gulf Red Snapper during December,” said Roger Young, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “The holiday season is the perfect time to enjoy Florida’s world-class fisheries with loved ones.”
This extension also comes on the heels of Governor DeSantis’ announcement of discounted fishing and hunting licenses for Florida families, marking the second consecutive year of such discounts.
With this announcement, anglers can look forward to more opportunities to fish for one of Florida’s most iconic species, Gulf Red Snapper, while continuing to support the state’s efforts in sustainable fisheries management.
Image/Source: weartv
