Louisiana state waters, out to 3 miles
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 · the official rulebook is the final word
Louisiana state record
LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Massive girth, short pectoral fins that don't reach the second dorsal. More on the Atlantic bluefin tuna page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic bluefin tuna in Louisiana?
73 in curved fork length. Measured as curved fork length: snout to the fork of the tail, along the curve of the body.
How many Atlantic bluefin tuna can you keep in Louisiana?
1 per vessel per year.
When is Atlantic bluefin tuna season in Louisiana?
Open year-round.
What is the Louisiana record Atlantic bluefin tuna?
1,152 lb, 30 m S of South Pass (2003).
How current is this Louisiana Atlantic bluefin tuna 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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