Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The federal red snapper season for charter and headboat anglers in the Gulf is getting a second act to close out 2025. NOAA Fisheries has decided to reopen the recreational for hire season in federal waters. The move comes after scientists reviewed updated catch data. Officials say there are still red snapper left in this year’s federal allocation.

According to NOAA Fisheries, the federal red snapper for-hire season reopened at 12:01 a.m. local time on December 11, 2025. The extended opportunity will last through the holidays. The season will then close again at 12:01 a.m. local time on January 1, 2026.

Earlier in the year, federally permitted charter and headboat operators already had a long run on red snapper. The 2025 Gulf of America red snapper fishing season in federal waters for these vessels was 107 days. It opened on June 1, 2025. It then closed at 12:01 a.m. local time on September 16, 2025.

After that closure, NOAA scientists took another look at how many fish had been caught. Based on the updated landings data, the agency found that the red snapper recreational federal for-hire annual catch target was not reached. In other words, anglers did not harvest as many red snapper as the rules allowed for the year.

Because of that gap, the agency chose to give charter and headboat operators more time on the water. “Therefore, NOAA Fisheries is reopening the season to provide Gulf of America federally permitted for-hire fishermen the opportunity to catch the remaining allocation,” the announcement explained. The decision is meant to balance fishing access with conservation.

The reopening only applies to vessels that hold federal for-hire reef fish permits. These are charter and headboat operations that take paying customers offshore into federal waters. Private boat owners without federal for-hire permits are not included in this new opening. Their seasons are set in another way.

NOAA Fisheries stressed that private recreational anglers have to follow rules made at the state level. “This reopening does not affect the recreational private angler season, which is determined by state agencies,” the notice stated. Each Gulf state runs its own red snapper season for private boats under its own schedule and rules.

Because of those differences, officials are urging private anglers to do a little homework before planning trips. “Please check with your state agency for information on your state’s red snapper fishing season,” the agency advised. That means looking up the latest guidance from state fish and wildlife departments. It also means watching for any last-minute changes.

For charter captains and headboat operators, the extra days could help fill late-season bookings. Many customers hope to land one of the Gulf’s most popular game fish. With federal waters reopening in December, they will have another chance to do so. At the same time, managers say the plan keeps catches within the allowed limit for 2025.