Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permit Season 2026
North Carolina recreational Red Snapper season will open for 62 days in 2026
The season will open July 1 - August 31 for those willing to participate in a pilot project to test a state recreational data collection program monitoring a recreational Red Snapper season.
The Red Snapper Project is a new initiative from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries that opens a 62-day recreational red snapper season — July 1 through August 31, 2026 — in federal waters off the North Carolina coast.
The recreational Red Snapper season will open for 62 days this summer for those willing to participate in a pilot project to test a state recreational data collection program to monitor a recreational Red Snapper season.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries is one of four Southeastern states that received a Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to explore whether states can collect near real-time data to monitor the Red Snapper fishery. This initiative is supported by a $300,000 grant from Yamaha Rightwaters, a conservation program from Yamaha Motors focused on sustaining marine resources and recreational fishing opportunities.
All participants will be required to have a copy of the EFP with them. To participate and receive copy, private recreational anglers will need to download the VESL data collection application and agree to record their red snapper harvest and discard information.
Charter and headboat captains will need to fill out an online request form to receive a copy of the EFP. Those captains will also need to agree to continue to report their red snapper harvest and discards through their NOAA reporting system.
Season: July 1 – Aug. 31, 2026
Gear: Recreational hook and line only
Size limit: None
Bag limits:
Private Recreational - 1 fish per person or 4 fish per vessel (whichever is more restrictive)
Charter Boat (up to 6 passengers) - 1 fish per person or 4 fish per vessel (whichever is more restrictive)
Head Boat (Greater than 6 passengers) - 1 fish per person or 20 fish per vessel (whichever is more restrictive)
Private recreational anglers can sign up for the pilot project and learn more about requirements by downloading the VESL application. Charter and headboat captains may request a copy of the EFP by going to https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/VH5sQ4SCR8.
For 15 years, data uncertainty kept federal red snapper seasons to just 1–2 days. VESL reporting provides near real-time, high-quality data needed to support longer seasons going forward.
What Your Data Does
- Provides near real-time catch and effort information to fisheries managers
- Reduces the data uncertainty that causes ultra-short seasons
- Demonstrates that longer seasons work when paired with quality data
Future Seasons
If North Carolina demonstrates it can collect high-quality data through VESL, the Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) could be extended for two additional years — 2027 and 2028. Your participation directly affects whether this continues. The Division of Marine Fisheries also operates carcass-donation freezers along the coast to collect age, size, and reproductive samples that complement electronic reporting.
Using the VESL app is mandatory for everyone fishing for Red Snapper under the EFP. Here's exactly what you need to do — it's straightforward and takes very little time.
- Download the VESL app: VESL is free and available on iPhone, Android, and desktop. Download it on the VESL website. You'll create an account the first time you open it.
- Before heading out, declare your trip in VESL: You can do this up to 5 days in advance.
- Go Fishing: The 2026 season runs from July 1 through August 31 in federal waters off North Carolina. You may keep 1 Red Snapper per person per day (vessel limit of 4, or whichever is more restrictive) with no minimum size limit.
- Report Your Catch Within 24 Hours: After your trip, open VESL and report what you caught — including both harvested and released fish. You must submit your report within 24 hours of your trip departure time.
The Division is encouraging recreational anglers to contribute to important fisheries research by participating in the NC Carcass Collection Program.
How to Participate:
- Bring the legally landed and filleted Red Snapper carcass to one of the designated drop-off locations.
- Complete a short catch card using the materials located inside the freezers. Cards must be filled in accurately, honestly, completely, and legibly to be eligible. 1 angler/fish and 1 angler/card.
- That's it! Leave your card in the provided bag with the carcass in the freezer.
The Carcass Collection Program is a statewide effort funded by proceeds from sales of the N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing License. Carcasses donated by recreational fisherman are a critical source of data for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. The division has placed freezers at designated sites across coastal areas to allow anglers to donate filleted fish carcasses. From fish that are donated to the program, biologists can collect length, age, and sex data that can be used in stock assessments to better manage the fisheries resources of the state.
For more information and a map with freezer locations visit our Carcass Collection Page.