Louisiana
saltwater rules

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries sets the rules inside Louisiana’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: Mississippi · Texas

84 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 3 of them carry a federal-waters rule because Louisiana lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

Albacore

Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Louisiana lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Almaco Jack

Almaco Seriola rivoliana

Size
No size limit

Bag
20 per person in reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus

Size
73 in curved fork length

Bag
1 per vessel per year

Season
Open year-round

Check

Two rulebooks gate this fish: Louisiana law allows only bluefin 73″ curved fork length or longer, one per vessel per year — and whether that class is keepable depends on NOAA's in-season HMS trophy category (closed at last check). Verify both before keeping. Federal HMS Angling permit required; NMFS reporting within 24 hours.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per person per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Exempt from the 54 in minimum and the vessel aggregate.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

All sturgeon take prohibited in Louisiana since 1991; Gulf sturgeon is federally threatened.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Banded Rudderfish

Seriola zonata

Size
slot 14–22 in fork length

Bag
5 per person in aggregate with lesser amberjack

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Bigeye Tuna

Thunnus obesus

Size
27 in curved fork length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Measured curved fork length; federal HMS permit required.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Black Drum

Drum Pogonias cromis

Size
slot 16–27 in total length

Bag
5 per person; only 1 may exceed 27 in

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Black Grouper

Mycteroperca bonaci

Size
24 in total length

Bag
4 per person in grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round; closed Feb. 1–Mar. 31 seaward of the 20-fathom line

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Blackfin Snapper

Lutjanus buccanella

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person in snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Small coastal group.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

State rule effective Jan. 2025 removed bag and size limits; federal-waters limits differ.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Size
99 in lower jaw fork length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Measured lower jaw fork length; federal HMS permit and 24-hour landing report required.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Blue Shark

Blue dog Prionace glauca

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Pelagic group.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Blueline Tilefish

Caulolatilus microps

Size
No size limit

Bag
20 per person in reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per person per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Exempt from the 54 in minimum and the vessel aggregate.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

State rule effective Jan. 2025 removed bag and size limits; federal-waters limits differ.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezii

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

On Louisiana's prohibited shark list.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Cobia

Ling, Lemonfish Rachycentron canadum

Size
36 in fork length

Bag
1 per person, no more than 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Common Thresher

Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Pelagic group.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Cubera Snapper

Lutjanus cyanopterus

Size
12 in total length

Bag
10 per person in snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Dog Snapper

Dogtooth snapper Lutjanus jocu

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person in snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Covered by 'all snappers except red, vermilion and lane' umbrella; not named individually in the booklet.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

On Louisiana's prohibited shark list.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Small coastal group.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Gag Grouper

Gray grouper Mycteroperca microlepis

Size
24 in total length

Bag
4 per person in grouper aggregate, max 2 gag

Season
Closed Jan. 1–Aug. 31; open Sept. 1–Dec. 31, quota may close it early

Open

Closed today; opens Sept. 1.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Golden Tilefish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Size
No size limit

Bag
20 per person in reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Listed as 'tilefish' in the aggregate with goldface and blueline tilefish.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Goliath Grouper

Epinephelus itajara

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Possession prohibited in or outside Louisiana waters.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Gray Triggerfish

Trigger Balistes capriscus

Size
15 in fork length

Bag
1 per person within reef fish aggregate

Season
Open Mar. 1–May 31 and Aug. 1–Dec. 31; closed Jan. 1–Feb. 28 and June 1–July 31

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

State minimum is 54 in; a 78 in federal minimum applies in federal waters.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Great White Shark

White shark Carcharodon carcharias

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

On Louisiana's prohibited shark list.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Greater Amberjack

AJ, Reef donkey Seriola dumerili

Size
34 in fork length

Bag
1 per person

Season
Open Sept. 1–Oct. 31, or until quota is met

Open

Closed today; captain/crew may not keep limits on for-hire trips.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Gulf Flounder

Paralichthys albigutta

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person

Season
Open except Oct. 15–Nov. 30 annual closure

Open

LDWF rule is written for southern flounder; flounders are generally treated under the same 10-fish limit and fall closure.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Hogfish

Hog snapper Lachnolaimus maximus

Size
14 in fork length

Bag
5 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
King Mackerel

King, Kingfish, Smoker Scomberomorus cavalla

Size
24 in fork length

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Lane Snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Size
8 in total length

Bag
20 per person in reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Large coastal group.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Lesser Amberjack

Seriola fasciata

Size
slot 14–22 in fork length

Bag
5 per person in aggregate with banded rudderfish

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Mahogany Snapper

Ojanco Lutjanus mahogoni

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person in snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Covered by 'all snappers except red, vermilion and lane' umbrella; not named individually in the booklet.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Mangrove Snapper

Gray snapper, Mango Lutjanus griseus

Size
12 in total length

Bag
10 per person in snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Marbled Grouper

Sicklefish grouper Dermatolepis inermis

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Louisiana lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
See note

Season
Year-round

Check

Not named in the snapper-grouper rules we track; grouper aggregate rules may apply. Check before keeping one — a rare, slow-growing species.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Mutton Snapper

Lutjanus analis

Size
18 in total length

Bag
10 per person in snapper aggregate, max 5 mutton

Season
Open year-round

Open

No more than 5 mutton snapper within the aggregate.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Nassau Grouper

Epinephelus striatus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Possession prohibited in or outside Louisiana waters.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Large coastal group.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

Size
No harvest

Bag
See note

Season
Closed year-round

Check

LDWF's list still shows oceanic whitetip as a pelagic shark, while federal HMS rules prohibit it everywhere; treat it as prohibited and release.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Pelagic group.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Queen Snapper

Etelis oculatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person in snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Red Drum

Redfish, Puppy drum, Channel bass, Spottail bass Sciaenops ocellatus

Size
slot 18–27 in total length

Bag
4 per person; none over 27 in

Season
Open year-round

Open

Charter captains and crew may not retain red drum on charter trips.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Red Grouper

Epinephelus morio

Size
20 in total length

Bag
4 per person in grouper aggregate, max 2 red grouper

Season
Open year-round; closed Feb. 1–Mar. 31 seaward of the 20-fathom line

Open

Quota closures possible in-season.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Red Snapper

Genuine red, American red Lutjanus campechanus

Size
16 in total length

Bag
4 per person

Season
2026 season opened May 1, closed Aug. 9 at quota; LDWF may briefly reopen before Labor Day

Closed

Quota-managed season; Recreational Offshore Landing Permit required; captain/crew may not keep limits on for-hire trips.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Size
63 in lower jaw fork length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Measured lower jaw fork length; federal HMS permit and 24-hour landing report required.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Sand Tiger

Carcharias taurus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

On Louisiana's prohibited shark list.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

No recreational retention of sandbar or silky sharks.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

State minimum is 54 in; a 78 in federal minimum applies in federal waters.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Scamp Grouper

Broomtail Mycteroperca phenax

Size
16 in total length

Bag
4 per person in grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round; closed Feb. 1–Mar. 31 seaward of the 20-fathom line

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Schoolmaster Snapper

Lutjanus apodus

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person in snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Covered by 'all snappers except red, vermilion and lane' umbrella; not named individually in the booklet.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Retention prohibited (state list and federal HMS rule).
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Silk Snapper

Lutjanus vivanus

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person in snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Silky Shark

Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Skipjack Tuna

Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Louisiana lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Smalltooth Sawfish

Pristis pectinata

Size
No harvest

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

ESA-listed; no take or possession.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Covered by the 'other sharks' umbrella; not named individually by LDWF.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

State minimum is 54 in; a 78 in federal minimum applies in federal waters.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Snowy Grouper

Hyporthodus niveatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person in grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Southern Flounder

Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 per person

Season
Open except Oct. 15–Nov. 30 annual closure

Open

No harvest or possession Oct. 15–Nov. 30, all gear types including bycatch.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

Size
12 in fork length

Bag
15 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Speckled Hind

Hyporthodus drummondhayi

Size
No size limit

Bag
No more than 1 per vessel, within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Large coastal group.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Covered by the 'other sharks' umbrella; species essentially absent from the Gulf.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Spotted Seatrout

Speck, Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus

Size
slot 13–20 in total length

Bag
15 per person; no more than 2 over 20 in

Season
Open year-round

Open

New slot/bag rule; charter captains and crew may not retain spotted seatrout on charter trips.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Striped Mullet

Mugil cephalus

Size
No size limit

Bag
100 lbs per person daily

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Size
47 in lower jaw fork length

Bag
1 per person, no more than 4 per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

47 in LJFL or 25 in cleithrum-to-caudal-keel; federal HMS rules and reporting apply.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Large coastal group.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Tripletail

Lobotes surinamensis

Size
18 in total length

Bag
5 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Vermilion Snapper

Beeliner, B-liner Rhomboplites aurorubens

Size
10 in total length

Bag
10 per person, within 20-reef-fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Wahoo

Ono Acanthocybium solandri

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Warsaw Grouper

Hyporthodus nigritus

Size
No size limit

Bag
No more than 1 per vessel, within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
White Marlin

Kajikia albida

Size
66 in lower jaw fork length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Measured lower jaw fork length; federal HMS permit and 24-hour landing report required.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Yellowedge Grouper

Hyporthodus flavolimbatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person in grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Yellowfin Grouper

Fireback, Princess rockfish Mycteroperca venenosa

Size
20 in total length

Bag
4 per person in grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round; closed Feb. 1–Mar. 31 seaward of the 20-fathom line

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Yellowfin Tuna

Ahi Thunnus albacares

Size
27 in curved fork length

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Measured curved fork length.
LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Yellowmouth Grouper

Mycteroperca interstitialis

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person in grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round; closed Feb. 1–Mar. 31 seaward of the 20-fathom line

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07 · likely
Yellowtail Snapper

Ocyurus chrysurus

Size
12 in total length

Bag
10 per person in snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07

Every other species

LDWF: species not listed have no size limits, and unlisted saltwater finfish carry no recreational bag limit; possession equals daily bag unless noted.

Size: No size limit
Bag: No bag limit
Season: Open year-round

LDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

A Louisiana basic fishing license AND a saltwater license are required to fish south of the state's saltwater line.
The free Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) is required to possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, cobia, wahoo, gray triggerfish or dolphin in Louisiana waters. Minors under 18 and charter clients (covered by the captain's permit) are exempt.

Get a Louisiana license

Nearby waters: Mississippi · Texas · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about Louisiana

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Louisiana?

A Louisiana basic fishing license AND a saltwater license are required to fish south of the state's saltwater line.

How far out do Louisiana state waters go?

3 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council sets the federal rules, and where Louisiana has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

What if a fish is not listed for Louisiana?

Louisiana sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No bag limit. Season: Open year-round. LDWF: species not listed have no size limits, and unlisted saltwater finfish carry no recreational bag limit; possession equals daily bag unless noted.

Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

How current are these Louisiana rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

Checked against 10 official pages

Louisiana saltwater rules