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
Often mistaken for
Greater amberjackEye stripe runs into the first dorsal. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Smallest amberjack; eye stripe ends before the dorsal, big eye. More on the lesser amberjack page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Lesser amberjack in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for lesser amberjack in Louisiana?
slot 14–22 in fork length. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many lesser amberjack can you keep in Louisiana?
5 per person in aggregate with banded rudderfish. Aggregate: Lesser amberjack/banded rudderfish aggregate.
When is lesser amberjack season in Louisiana?
Open year-round.
How current is this Louisiana lesser amberjack 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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