Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
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36 inches minimum fork length | One per person and no more than two per vessel per day | Open year-round in state waters |
Recreational Saltwater Finfish
Fish caught in deeper water and some sensitive species can experience barotrauma when they're caught. Learn the signs of barotrauma and how you can help these fish survive.
Licenses and Permits
If you’re age 18 or older, you must have the following licenses to fish recreationally in saltwater in Louisiana:
Combination (e.g. Senior Hunting/Fishing and Louisiana Sportsman's Paradise Licenses) and some special licenses (e.g. Lifetime Licenses) also include recreational saltwater fishing privileges.
- To possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, snappers, groupers, hinds, cobia, wahoo and dolphinfish in Louisiana waters, recreational fishermen (except those under age 18 and those on a paid for-hire charter trip) must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit, in addition to required licenses. Charter captains must obtain a Charter Recreational Offshore Landing Permit to possess these species.
- All owners/operator of vessels recreationally fishing for and/or retaining any Atlantic highly migratory species (tunas, billfishes, swordfish, and sharks) with rod and reel; tunas, sharks, and swordfish with a handline; and free-swimming tunas (except bluefin) with a speargun must have an Atlantic HMS Angling Permit.
Seasons and Size and Bag/Possession Limits
Unless otherwise established, there are no size limits for species not listed. Unless otherwise noted, possession limits for saltwater fish are the same as the daily bag limit.
Seasons and regulations may differ in federal waters off Louisiana’s coast. Visit the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s site for federal seasons and regulations. Note that federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels must comply with the more restrictive of federal or state reef fish regulations when fishing for reef fish in state waters.
Common Coastal Species
Cobia (ling or lemonfish)
Sheepshead
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|
None | None | Open year-round in state waters |
Drum
Species | Size Limit | Bag and Possession | Season | Notes |
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Black drum |
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Open year-round in state waters | |
Red Drum |
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Open year-round in state waters |
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Southern flounder
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|
None | 10 per person per day | Open year-round in state waters, except October 15-November 30. |
Mackerel
Species | Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|---|
King mackerel | 24 inches minimum fork length | Three per person per day | Open year-round in state waters |
Spanish mackerel | 12 inches minimum fork length | 15 per person per day | Open year-round in state waters |
Striped mullet
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|
None | 100 pounds per person per day | Open year-round in state waters |
Spotted seatrout (speckled trout)
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
13” min total length / 20” max total length |
15 daily per person with no more than 2 over 20” max total length. |
Open year-round in state waters |
No harvest of spotted seatrout is allowed for the captain and crew of a vessel under charter (their creel limit/bag limit zero). Captain and Recreational saltwater anglers may possess a two-day’s bag limit on land; however, no person may possess more than the daily bag limit 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 longer than 25 hours. |
Reef Fish
- The captain and crew of a vessel under charter may not harvest red snapper, greater amberjack, or grouper of any species; their creel limit/bag limit is zero.
- Federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels must comply with the more restrictive of federal or state reef fish regulations when fishing for reef fish in state waters..
Grouper
Species | Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|---|
Gag | 24 inches minimum total length | Two gag per person per day within the four grouper aggregate; four grouper per person per day in aggregate. The four grouper aggregate is: speckled hind; black, red, snowy, yellowedge, yellowfin, yellowmouth, and warsaw grouper; gag; and scamp. Additional restrictions for the four grouper aggregate:
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Currently Closed: Open September 1 through October 18, 2023 in state waters; Note that there are closed seasons for other grouper species within the four grouper aggregate—black, red, yellowfin, and yellowmouth grouper and scamp are closed February 1 through March 31 in state waters seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary. |
Black grouper | 24 inches minimum total length |
Four grouper per person per day in aggregate; the four grouper aggregate is: speckled hind; black, red, snowy, yellowedge, yellowfin, yellowmouth, and warsaw grouper; gag; and scamp. Additional restrictions for the four grouper aggregate:
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Open year-round in state waters except February 1 through March 31 seaward of the 20-fathom (120 feet) boundary. Note that there are closed seasons for other grouper species within the four grouper aggregate—gag is closed January 1 through June 30 in state waters; red, yellowfin, and yellowmouth grouper and scamp are closed February 1 through March 31 in state waters seaward of the 20-fathom (120 feet) boundary. |
Red and yellowfin grouper | 20 inches minimum total length |
Two red grouper per person per day within the four grouper aggregate; four grouper per person per day in aggregate. The four grouper aggregate is: speckled hind; black, red, snowy, yellowedge, yellowfin, yellowmouth, and warsaw grouper; gag; and scamp. Additional restrictions for the four grouper aggregate:
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Open year-round in state waters except February 1 through March 31 seaward of the 20-fathom (120 feet) boundary. Note that there are closed seasons for other grouper species within the four grouper aggregate: |
Scamp | 16 inches minimum total length |
Four grouper per person per day in aggregate; the four grouper aggregate is: speckled hind; black, red, snowy, yellowedge, yellowfin, yellowmouth, and warsaw grouper; gag; and scamp. Additional restrictions for the four grouper aggregate:
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Open year-round in state waters except February 1 through March 31 seaward of the 20-fathom (120 feet) boundary. Note that there are closed seasons for other grouper species within the four grouper aggregate—gag is closed January 1 through June 30 in state waters; black, red, yellowfin, and yellowmouth grouper are closed February 1 through March 31 in state waters seaward of the 20-fathom (120 feet) boundary. |
Goliath and Nassau grouper | Take of these species is prohibited. |
Snapper
Species | Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|---|
Red snapper | 16 inches minimum total length | Four fish per person, 7-days a week. See our recreational red snapper page for more information. |
The recreational Red Snapper season is currently open 7-days a week until our quota is met. |
Mutton snapper | 18 inches minimum total length |
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Open year-round in state waters |
Queen, blackfin, silk, and wenchman snapper | None |
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Open year-round in state waters |
Cubera, gray (mangrove), and yellowtail snapper | 12 inches minimum total length |
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Open year-round in state waters |
Vermilion snapper | 10 inches minimum total length |
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Open year-round in state waters. Note that there are closed seasons for other reef fish species within the 20 reef fish aggregate—gray triggerfish is closed January 1 through the end of February and June 1 through July 31. |
Lane snapper | 8 inches minimum total length |
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Open year-round in state waters, or until the annual catch limit is projected to be met. Note that there are closed seasons for other reef fish species within the 20 reef fish aggregate—gray triggerfish is closed January 1 through the end of February and June 1 through July 31. |
Almaco jack
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|
None |
20 per person per day within the 20 reef fish aggregate; the 20 reef fish aggregate is vermillion and lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, and tilefish. Additional restrictions for the 20 reef fish aggregate:
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Open year-round in state waters. Note that there are closed seasons for other reef fish species within the 20 reef fish aggregate—gray triggerfish is closed January 1 through the end of February and June 1 through July 31. |
Gray triggerfish
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|
15 inches minimum fork length |
One per person per day within the 20 reef fish aggregate; the 20 reef fish aggregate is vermillion and lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, and tilefish. Additional restrictions for the 20 reef fish aggregate:
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Closed January 1 through end of February; open March 1 through May 31; closed June 1 through July 31; open September 1 through December 31, or until the annual quota is met or projected to be met |
Tilefish (goldface, blackline, anchor and blueline)
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|
None |
20 per person per day within the 20 reef fish aggregate; the 20 reef fish aggregate is vermillion and lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, and tilefish. Additional restrictions for the 20 reef fish aggregate:
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Open year-round in state waters. Note that there are closed seasons for other reef fish species within the 20 reef fish aggregate—gray triggerfish is closed January 1 through the end of February and June 1 through July 31. |
Amberjack
Species | Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|---|
Greater amberjack | 34 inches minimum fork length | One per person per day | Opens September 1 and Closes October 31, 2024 |
Lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish | 14 to 22-inch fork length slot limit | Five fish per person per day combined total between lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish | Open year-round in state waters |
Hogfish
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|
14 inches minimum fork length | Five per person per day | Open year-round in state waters |
Black seabass
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|
None | None | Open year-round in state waters |
Tripletail
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
---|---|---|
18 inches minimum total length | Five per person per day | Open year-round in state waters |
Highly Migratory Species
Marlin
You must report all recreational landings of marlin to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours of landing at the dock. Report online, via the mobile app, or by calling 800.894.5528
Species | Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season |
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Blue marlin | 99 inches minimum lower jaw fork length | None | Open year-round in state waters |
White marlin | 66 inches minimum lower jaw fork length | None | Open year-round in state waters |
Swordfish
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season | Notes |
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29 inches minimum carcass length or 33 pounds minimum dressed weight |
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Open year-round in state waters | You must report all recreational landings of swordfish to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours of landing at the dock. Report online, via the mobile app, or by calling 800.894.5528. |
Tuna
Anglers fishing for tunas in Louisiana state or federal are subject to both state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Federal regulations regarding the recreational harvest of tunas change often, especially for bluefin tuna; federal regulations may supersede Louisiana regulations. Prior to fishing for or harvesting tuna, be aware of the most current federal regulations, including size and bag limits and seasons. For updates on tuna quota monitoring and tuna retention limit adjustments, call 888-872-8862
Species | Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season | Notes |
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Bluefin tuna | 73 inches minimum curved fork length | One trophy per vessel per year if caught incidentally while targeting other species while the trophy season is open |
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Bigeye tuna | 27 inches minimum curved fork length | None | Open year-round in state waters | |
Yellowfin tuna | 27 inches minimum curved fork length | Three per person per day | Open year-round in state waters |
Shark
• Finning (removing only the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea) is prohibited in state and federal waters. • Information on identifying sharks and best practices for handling sharks
Species | Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season | Notes |
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Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead sharks | None | One per person per day in aggregate; no one may possess any shark in excess of the bag limit at any time, regardless of the number of trips or duration of a trip | Open year-round in state waters | |
Small coastal, large coastal, and pelagic sharks (except silky, sandbar, and shortfin mako sharks) | 54 inches minimum fork length | One per vessel per trip in aggregate; no one may possess any shark in excess of the bag limit at any time, regardless of the number of trips or duration of a trip; no silky or sandbar sharks; no prohibited species | Open year-round in state waters |
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Shortfin mako |
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One shark per vessel per trip in aggregate from the small coastal, large coastal, or pelagic shark groups (see above), including shortfin mako; no one may possess any shark in excess of the bag limit at any time, regardless of the number of trips or duration of a trip; no silky or sandbar sharks; no prohibited species | Open year-round in state waters | |
Prohibited sharks |
Atlantic angel, sand tiger, dusky, bigeye sand tiger, sixgill, largetooth sawfish, bigeye thresher, smalltooth sawfish, narrowtooth, Caribbean reef, white*, Caribbean sharpnose, basking, sevengill, Galapagos, bigeye sixgill, smalltail, longfin mako, bignose, whale, and night sharks *A person may fish for but not retain white shark with rod and reel only under a catch and release program, provided the person releases and returns such fish to the sea immediately with a minimum of injury. Recreational harvest of sandbar and silky sharks (ridgeback sharks) is prohibited. |
Sailfish
Size Limit | Bag and Possession Limit | Season | Notes |
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63 inches minimum lower jaw fork length | None | Open year-round in state waters | You must report all recreational landings of sailfish to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours of landing. Report online, via the mobile app, or by calling 800.894.5528. |
Gear Restrictions and Requirements
See the latest recreational regulations.
Prohibited Species
You may not possess any of the following threatened, endangered, or prohibited species. If you incidentally catch one of these species, release it immediately, unharmed.
All whales | Dolphin (mammal) | Goliath grouper | Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) |
Largetooth sawfish | Nassau grouper | Sea turtles | Smalltooth sawfish |
West Indian manatee | Atlantic angel shark | Basking shark | Bigeye sand tiger shark |
Bigeye sixgill shark | Bigeye thresher shark | Bignose shark | Caribbean reef shark |
Caribbean sharpnose shark | Dusky shark | Galapagos shark | Longfin mako shark |
Narrowtooth shark | Night shark | Sand tiger shark | Sevengill shark |
Sixgill shark | Smalltail shark | Whale shark | White shark |