Officials extend red snapper season

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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and authorities from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and the U.S. Department of Commerce have agreed to allow recreational anglers to catch red snapper on weekends this summer in federal waters.

The agreement will allow recreational anglers to fish for red snapper in federal and state waters for 39 weekend days Friday through Labor Day.

The open fishing days each week would be Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The only additional days will include July 3, July 4 and Sept. 4. Red snapper fishing will be closed in state and federal waters Monday through Thursday each week, except on those additional days.

Texas state waters then will remain open for the fall season, which starts Sept. 5.

“For years we have heard loudly and unambiguously from outraged recreational anglers who have only seen their fishing seasons get shorter in federal waters,” said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director. “Based on recent public comments, we think this option, which is for this year only, provides some much-needed recreational opportunity for Texas anglers, as well as important economic benefits for our coastal communities.”

The size and bag limit for red snapper during the extended federal season days will remain the same: 15 inches and four fish per person in state waters and 16 inches and two fish per person in federal waters.

Republished with permission of The Associated Press.