Species profile
Northern Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanus
Identify Northern Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 5 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Northern Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Federal Waters (NOAA)); the most generous is 4 (Texas).
Across 6 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 16.9 in (≈ 1 ft 5 in).
Confirmed by 248 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Texas, Florida, and Alabama the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Red snapper can live over 50 years — the oldest verified individuals exceeded 57 years of age.
- Their eyes are distinctly red, matching their vivid body color and aiding species identification.
- The most commercially valuable reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico, supporting a major multi-million dollar fishery.
- Found at depths from 30 to 620 feet on natural reefs, ledges, and artificial structures.
- Large adults can exceed 35 pounds, though most recreational catches weigh between 4 and 6 pounds.
Where Northern Red Snapper are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Northern Red Snapper
Background
The northern red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is a species of snapper native to the western Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico, where it inhabits environments associated with reefs. This species is commercially important and is also sought-after as a game fish.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Northern Red Snapper article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Northern Red Snapper?
Northern Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Northern Red Snapper?
Northern Red Snapper is Lutjanus campechanus.
Is Northern Red Snapper regulated for fishing?
Yes — Northern Red Snapper has fishing regulations in 5 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Northern Red Snapper?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Northern Red Snapper along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.