Where to Fish for Snook in the US: 8 Gulf & Atlantic States

Snook (Centropomus undecimalis) are tropical/subtropical inshore gamefish. US range = 8 states along Gulf and Southeast Atlantic.

The States

1. Texas – Lower Laguna Madre, South Padre, Port Mansfield. Northern limit; winter kills limit population.
2. Louisiana – Rare; mostly far SE (Venice, Grand Isle). Not a target fishery.
3. Mississippi – Very rare; occasional in Biloxi marsh.
4. Alabama – Rare; Mobile Bay extremes.
5. Florida – Epicenter. Both coasts: Everglades, 10K Islands, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Indian River Lagoon, Jupiter, Keys. Year-round fishery.
6. Georgia – Northern range limit; seasonal in Cumberland, St. Simons, Altamaha estuary.
7. South Carolina – Rare; Hilton Head, Beaufort estuaries in warm years.
8. North Carolina – Very rare; Cape Fear, Pamlico Sound extremes. Not reliable.

Real Talk

Florida = 95%+ of US snook fishery. Other states: occasional strays, not targetable populations. Regulations strict in FL: slot limit (28–32" most areas), closed seasons (Dec–Jan, May–Aug Gulf; Dec–Jan, Jun–Aug Atlantic), snook permit required ($10).

Habitat Keys

Mangroves, seawalls, bridges, passes, beaches, freshwater springs (thermal refugia in winter). Structure + moving water + bait = snook.