Redfish Laws In the United States
[Page updated 30 July 2022]
Redfish are a protected species due to legislation enacted by George Bush in 1987. States have their own laws, and each of these is detailed below. If you are aware of an update we don’t have listed – please let us know.
MORE REDFISH INFO Pages
- How to Catch Redfish – the Ultimate Guide
Follow the guidelines below to learn How Many Redfish Can you Keep?
How To Measure a Redfish to Stay Within the Laws Below:
- Stretch the redfish out on the ground or another flat surface with the jaw closed.
- For the soft-tailed redfish, squeeze the entire tail together to obtain the maximum length it can reach.
- Measure a very straight line from the tip of the snout to the furthest part of the tail as you hold it scrunched up.
Best Redfish Fishing Reels?
Reel #1 (PENN) Very high ratings; Made in America (Seattle, WA.)
REEL #2 (PENN) Very high ratings; Made in America (Seattle, WA.)
Alabama State Redfish Laws
Alabama has a number of saltwater fishing license restrictions and guidelines. Read all of them here:
Redfish creel limits are as follows.
Daily Limit: 3
Minimum size: 16″ to 26″
Sportsmen can keep one fish over the 26-inch limit per day out of the 3 total reds allowed per day.
Date of this regulation: May 2017.
Florida State Redfish Laws
NOTE – New regulations for Redfish have been decreed on June 1.
NOTE: Beginning June1, 2021 Redfish regulations will change back to normal in Tampa Bay, Pasco and Pinellas Counties and north of State Road 64 in Manatee County plus the Braden River but not including Palma Sola Bay.
For Sarasota Bay down through Collier County, redfish regulations are catch and release ONLY through May 31, 2022. This covers ALL STATE WATERS SOUTH OF STATE ROAD 64 in MANATEE COUNTY including PALMA SOLA BAY through GORDON PASSin COLLIER COUNTY. Does not include Braden River or Manatee river or its tributaries.
First, start with getting a saltwater fishing license.
Florida anglers have to figure out Florida’s extensive laws before fishing for red drum, or any fish. Fishermen/women can use rod/reel or cast nets to bag their daily limit.
Daily Limit: 1*
Minimum size: 18″ to 27″
Redfish Season: All year redfish are in season.
Redfish must be between 18 and 27-inches (slot limit).
* In the northeast section of Florida (see map below) by Georgia, you can take two fish per day. Everywhere else is one redfish per day.
Full-text redfish law – download PDF here. Florida Redfish Laws Full Text-68B-22
Here’s a chart to make the Florida Redfish Laws easier to understand:
Note – Gigging, spearing or snatching redfish is prohibited in the State of Florida.
Get our FREE PDF of all the REDFISH FISHING INFORMATION we have on this site by joining our newsletter. We will let you know about other free fishing guides you can download too. GET IT HERE >
Georgia State Redfish Laws
Annual fishing licenses cost $15 for state residents and $50 for non-residents. A free Saltwater Information Permit is additionally required to fish in saltwater. Information about saltwater licenses and ordering your license online is here – https://georgia.gov/popular-topic/fishing-licenses
Daily Limit: 5
Minimum size: 14″ to 23″
Redfish Season: Assumed to be all year, there is no information regarding date restrictions on their website.
Link to Georgia State Redfish Laws –
Louisiana State Redfish Laws
Anglers must possess a saltwater fishing license when fishing below the saltwater line (all redfish fishermen best be safe to get the saltwater license).
Daily Limit: 5
Minimum size: 16″ to 27″
Redfish Season: Open year-round in Louisiana State waters.
No more than one redfish over 27†max total length
Notes: Recreational saltwater anglers may possess a two day’s bag limit of red drum on land; however, no person shall be in possession of over the daily bag limit of red drum in any one day or while fishing or while on the water, unless that recreational saltwater angler is aboard a trawler engaged in commercial fishing for a consecutive period of longer than 25 hours.
Note – catching or possession of redfish in federal waters is prohibited.
Link to State of Louisiana Redfish Laws online
Mississippi State Redfish Laws
Daily Limit: 3
Minimum size: 18″ to 30″
Redfish Season: Open all year unless otherwise posted at the state website below.
Recreational fishermen may keep only one Redfish over 30 inches in total length.
Link to Mississippi online fishing laws –
Download Mississippi Guide to Saltwater Fishing PDF here.
North Carolina State Redfish Laws
A recreational coastal fishing license is required for saltwater fishing. Purchase online here.
Daily Limit: 1
Minimum size: 18″ to 27″
Redfish Season: Open all year.
South Carolina State Redfish Laws
Daily Limit: 3
Minimum size: 15″ to 23″
Redfish Season: Open all year in South Carolina State waters.
Note: Gigging of redfish from December to February is illegal.
Download South Carolina State’s Saltwater Fishing Regulations and Tips (PDF)
Lots of good information about Red Drum at their official site here.
Texas State Redfish Laws
Saltwater fishing licenses are $63 for non-residents. Yikes.
Daily Limit: 3
Minimum size: 20″ to 28″
Redfish Season: Open year-round.
Note: During a license year, one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be kept when tagged with a completed Red Drum Tag. One red drum over 28″ may be kept when affixed with a properly completed Bonus Red Drum Tag.
Any fish retained under the authority of a Red Drum Tag or a Bonus Red Drum Tag may be retained in addition to the daily bag and possession limit as stated in this section.
State of Texas Redfish Laws Page
Virginia State Redfish Laws
A saltwater fishing license for Virginia is necessary, though the online information was missing when I queried it on 30 December 2017. Will update soon.
Daily Limit: 3
Minimum size: 18″ to 26″
Redfish Season: Open all year.
Redfish and other Virginia fish regulations here.
Best Redfish Fishing Reels?
Reel #1 (PENN) Very high ratings; Made in America (Seattle, WA.)
REEL #2 (PENN) Very high ratings; Made in America (Seattle, WA.)
MORE REDFISH INFO Pages
- How to Catch Redfish – the Ultimate Guide
- Redfish Laws (this page)
- Amazing Redfish Recipes – broiled, Cajun blackened, pan-fried, and baked Redfish. One of the best fish to eat in Florida.
- Gallery
- Gear – full page of tackle used by locals and pros.
- WHERE to catch redfish? Navarre Pier | Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
Image Credits: Top image from MYFWC.com.
