The Atlantic red snapper season in federal waters came to a close on Oct. 22, 2026, but the work is far from over. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) asks anglers to continue to declare their bottom-fishing trips and report the red snapper they release via the VESL reporting platform throughout the remainder of November to improve fishery management.
The 14-day October season operated under an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, requiring anglers to receive a free harvest permit via the Go Outdoors SC app or web versions and uphold mandatory reporting requirements via VESL.
Throughout the two-week period, many anglers provided key catch data, but continued efforts are necessary.
Both in-season and out-of-season data is critical to gaining an understanding of the red snapper fishery as a whole and working toward the goal of more state-based management. Additionally, continued data submissions may support the authorization of supplemental red snapper harvest days by NOAA Fisheries this December. Anglers that continue to declare and report their bottom-fishing trips in VESL will be eligible for weekly prizes, including offshore fishing gear from Shimano.
Find more information on how to report your data via VESL here. For additional questions, contact redsnapper@dnr.sc.gov.