But, with 15 species of snappers in Florida's waters, the popularity of the fish with anglers, and the slow growth rate of these species, the regulations are and will continue to be necessary if overfishing is to be avoided. Mangrove snapper range from mangrove and salt marsh fringed back bays to offshore hard bottom areas, wrecks, and coral reefs. Lane snapper have a state-wide distribution but tend to leave the northern half of Florida during the colder months of the year. It is the smallest of the major species, maturing by the time it is 6 inches long.
Red snapper is most abundant in the deeper offshore waters of the northern part of the state.
As evidence of the fish's slow growth rate, scientists who have done growth studies of red snapper estimate that a 20 year old red snapper only weighs about 35 pounds. Yellowtail snapper have a bright yellow streak on the side of the fish's body running from head to tail. The best place to catch this species is in southeast Florida, especially the Keys. Another Keys specialty is the mutton snapper, the last of the top five species. It is an occasional catch in the offshore waters of other parts of the state.