In a bold testament to the success of state-led conservation, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida’s longest-ever Gulf red snapper recreational season—an unprecedented 126 days—during a recent press conference at Legendary Marine in Destin. With the sparkling waters of Choctawhatchee Bay behind him, DeSantis declared, “This is the longest combined season that’s been available for anglers in Florida history since state management began.”
The record-setting 2025 season surpasses last year’s 103-day stretch and is a shining example of what can be achieved when state governments, rather than Washington bureaucrats, manage their natural resources. The extended season includes a summer run from Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26) through July 31, followed by a daily fall window from Sept. 1-14, and three-day weekends through the end of the year, including Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
The announcement drew numerous cheers from business leaders, anglers, and conservationists who gathered to celebrate economic and environmental implications. Todd Royall of Legendary Marine called the move “priceless,” and Clint Rogers of Saltwater Restaurant Group praised the governor for boosting tourism and the local dining industries. “This gives our TDC more marketing ammunition to bring families to our area,” Rogers said.
By contrast, the federally managed Atlantic red snapper season remains abysmally short, just two days last year, despite a growing population of Red Snapper. DeSantis didn’t shy away from highlighting the stark difference in outcomes. “We’ve asked the President himself. Let us manage the red snapper in the Atlantic,” DeSantis said. “We will do a good job. We will have accurate data, and we’re going to be able to expand opportunities for a lot of people.”
DeSantis has proven himself a trusted leader in ecological stewardship by blending science with the somewhat uncommon common sense. Under his leadership, Florida has prioritized angler-reported data through programs like the State Reef Fish Survey, resulting in better-informed policy and more robust fish populations. Florida now leads the nation with over 920,000 boat registrations, 4 million licensed anglers, and an annual $31 billion boating and fishing economic impact—figures that dwarf federal performance metrics.
While Washington’s red tape continues to stifle opportunity on the Atlantic coast, Florida’s Gulf coast is flourishing thanks to state control. DeSantis’s firm commitment to states’ rights starkly contrasts with the one-size-fits-all failures of federal agencies like NOAA and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. “We stand ready, willing, and able,” DeSantis emphasized. “Florida’s proven it knows how to balance access and conservation—let us do the same for the Atlantic.”
In an era when federal mismanagement too often limits economic growth and outdoor access, Governor Ron DeSantis offers a successful alternative: empowered local governance that delivers ecological protection and freedom for Floridians and those who vacation here.
2025 Gulf Red Snapper Season Schedule:
- Memorial Day Weekend: May 24–26
- Summer Season: June 1 – July 31
- Fall Daily Season: September 1–14
- Weekend/Holiday Access:
- Sept. 19–21, 26–28
- Oct. 3–5, 10–12, 17–19, 24–26, 31–Nov. 2
- Nov. 7–9, 11 (Veterans Day), 14–16, 21–23, 27–30 (Thanksgiving)
- Dec. 5–7, 12–14, 19–21, 25–28 (Christmas)
As the Florida Gulf Coast experiences another record year under state stewardship, one thing is clear—when it comes to natural resources, the Sunshine State shines brightest when the federal government steps aside. Those who love fishing and those dependent upon tourism should applaud the Governor’s successful leadership.
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