Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · Louisiana lists none of its own
The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
False albacoreWavy marks on the back, spots under the pectoral. Tell them apartNot listed by Louisiana: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Atlantic bonitoStripes on the back, slimmer. Tell them apartNot listed by Louisiana: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep 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
Dark horizontal stripes on the BELLY — not the back; stout purple-backed football. More on the skipjack tuna page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for skipjack tuna in Louisiana?
No size limit.
How many skipjack tuna can you keep in Louisiana?
No bag limit.
When is skipjack tuna season in Louisiana?
Open year-round.
What is the Louisiana record skipjack tuna?
31.19 lb, Green Canyon Blks. (2007).
How current is this Louisiana skipjack tuna rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2025, last checked Sep 20, 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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