Florida Gulf · Tampa Bay
Mangrove Snapper: size limit, bag limit & season
Checked against FWC · July 1, 2026
In Florida's Gulf waters, including Tampa Bay, a mangrove snapper must be at least 10 inches (total length) to keep. The bag limit is 5 per harvester. Season: Open year-round.
The rules
| Size limit | 10" minimum (total length) |
|---|---|
| Bag limit | 5 per harvester |
| Season | Open year-round |
| Rules & notes | Also called gray snapper. Within the 10-fish snapper aggregate. |
Snapper aggregate: most snapper species combined count toward a 10-fish-per-harvester-per-day limit (species noted "not included in aggregate" are separate).
Not legal advice. These are Florida's Gulf-zone limits (Tampa Bay region where FWC sets regional rules), checked against FWC on July 1, 2026. Limits change by region, gear and date — confirm on MyFWC.com before you keep a fish.
When mangrove snapper are most active
Mangrove snapper are most active around the Gulf Coast in May–September.
Mangrove snapper are most active in roughly 72–86°F water (a typical range; they're caught outside it too).
Check it on the water
Log a mangrove snapper in Newbreeds and the size check compares your length against these limits — keeper or release — with a link to FWC to confirm. Every catch also records the tide, pressure trend, water temperature and moon automatically, so over time you see which conditions your mangrove snapper actually bite in. Logging is free.
Get Newbreeds — free All Florida Gulf limits
Questions
What is the size limit for mangrove snapper in Florida?
In Florida's Gulf waters, including Tampa Bay, a mangrove snapper must be at least 10 inches (total length) to keep. Also called gray snapper. Within the 10-fish snapper aggregate.
How many mangrove snapper can I keep in Florida?
The Gulf-zone bag limit is 5 per harvester.
When is mangrove snapper season in Florida?
Mangrove snapper are open year-round in Florida's Gulf waters.
When is the best time to catch mangrove snapper around Tampa Bay?
Mangrove snapper are most active around the Gulf Coast in May–September.
What water temperature do mangrove snapper like?
Mangrove snapper are most active in roughly 72–86°F water (a typical range; they're caught outside it too).