South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Snapper, Lane

Snapper, Lane

Lutjanus synagris
Recreational
All areas are open for recreational fishing.
Commercial
All areas are open for commercial fishing.

The lane snapper is rose with a faint greenish tint on the back and upper sides, which reveal several obscure, verticle dark bars. A series of 8 to 10 horozontal yellow stripes traverse the lower sides, and a dark lateral spot, larger than the eye, is located below the soft dorsal fin, just above the lateral line. The position and size of this mark, in addition to an anchor-shaped tooth patch on the roof of the mouth, 18-22 gill rackers on the first arch, and a rounder anal fin, separate the species from its close relatives. The mahogany snapper, Lutjanus mahogoni, is similar in appearance, with 12 dorsal rays, but the lateral spot is smaller and lower on the body.

The lane snapper is known to occur in a variety of habitats ranging from coral reefs in clear water to grass flats and mangrove-boardered estuaries where the waters are brackish and murky. The spawning season begins as early as March and lasts through September. Both sexes are capable of reproducing after the first year, or about 6-7 inches in length. The largest recorded lane snapper was 23 inches and 5 pounds, and probably older than 10 years. Like other small snappers, the lane snapper is an opportunistic carnivore and feeds on many different types of animals that live on or near the bottom.

Regulations

NC, SC, GA, FL

  • Season is currently open.
  • 10 Aggregate Limit
  • 10 Bag Limit
  • Min. Size: 8 in Total Length
  • Notes:

    A descending device is required on board all vessels fishing for or possessing snapper and grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic. The descending device must be readily available for use and attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet of line. Get more information at Best Fishing Practices Webpage Must be landed with head and fins intact.

    If you are bringing fish back to the U.S. from the Bahamas by water, please see Bringing fish back from the Bahamas.

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    Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats:

    • If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that fish.
    • If a federally permitted vessel fishing in state waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters but open in state waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that species.
    • If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in state waters but open to harvest in federal waters, they may retain that fish if they do not stop to fish in state waters when returning to port. All gear must be stowed.

    Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats must have the following on board:

    • The 2019 version of the NMFS document titled “Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury” (document may be electronic).
    • NMFS sea turtle handling and release guidelines placard
    • Required release and handling gears

    See Snapper Grouper Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Release Gear Requirements for more information.

    For more information on management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries.

    To see commercial regulations, download Fish Rules Commercial App for iOS devices or Android devices.

  • Gear Description: Allowable gear includes vertical hook-and-line, including hand line and bandit gear, and spearfishing gear without rebreathers. When fishing for or possessing snapper grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic, the following regulations apply: (1) Use of a dehooking tool is required. (2) The use of non-stainless steel hooks is required when using hook-and-line gear with natural baits. In waters North of 28-degrees N. latitude, the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks is required when fishing for snapper grouper species using hook-and-line gear with natural baits. (3) A descending device is required on board all vessels and must be readily available for use (attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet of line). See below for more details.

Amendments in progress

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