Louisiana state waters, out to 3 miles
Quota-managed season; Recreational Offshore Landing Permit required; captain/crew may not keep limits on for-hire trips.
LDWF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
Private-angler seasons in Gulf federal waters are set by each state (delegated management) — check your state's season. Federal for-hire: Jun 1 – Oct 26, 2026.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Often mistaken for
Vermilion snapperSmaller, streamlined, forked tail, no heavy jaw. Tell them apart
Red grouperGrouper mouth and rounded tail, mottled brick red. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Louisiana state record
LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Uniform rose red, red eye, pointed anal fin; adults lack the dark side spot. More on the red snapper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Red snapper in other states10 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for red snapper in Louisiana?
16 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many red snapper can you keep in Louisiana?
4 per person.
When is red snapper season in Louisiana?
2026 season opened May 1, closed Aug. 9 at quota; LDWF may briefly reopen before Labor Day.
What is the Louisiana record red snapper?
50.25 lb, S. Timbalier Blk. 185 (1996).
How current is this Louisiana red snapper 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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