Louisiana state waters, out to 3 miles
State minimum is 54 in; a 78 in federal minimum applies in federal waters.
LDWF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Nearly straight hammer with a center notch; towering dorsal. More on the great hammerhead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for great hammerhead in Louisiana?
54 in fork length. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many great hammerhead can you keep in Louisiana?
1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate. Counts toward the Sharks (1 per vessel per trip) aggregate.
When is great hammerhead season in Louisiana?
Open year-round.
How current is this Louisiana great hammerhead 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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