Louisiana state waters, out to 3 miles
LDWF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
The water you are in decides. the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council writes the rule past the line.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Louisiana state record
LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-28
How to tell it
Rectangular dark blotches over brassy-bronze spots; gently rounded preopercle (no gag notch). More on the black grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Black grouper in other states11 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for black grouper in Louisiana?
24 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many black grouper can you keep in Louisiana?
4 per person in grouper aggregate. Aggregate: 4-grouper aggregate.
When is black grouper season in Louisiana?
Open year-round; closed Feb. 1–Mar. 31 seaward of the 20-fathom line.
What is the Louisiana record black grouper?
109.5 lb, Gulf of America (2026).
How current is this Louisiana black grouper rule?
Source: LDWF 2026, last checked Sep 7, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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