Louisiana fishing limits are set by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and combine daily bag numbers, minimum and maximum sizes, and water-body-specific rules that override the statewide baseline. Most freshwater species have generous creel limits with tighter rules on named lakes and reservoirs. Saltwater species usually carry both a bag limit and a size slot, and federal waters in the Gulf sometimes apply stricter numbers than state waters for the same fish.
The rules below are the current recreational limits. Commercial fishing operates under a separate framework.
Freshwater Bag and Size Limits
Statewide creel limits apply everywhere in Louisiana unless a specific water body has its own rule. On the water, your possession limit equals the daily creel. Off the water, possession doubles to twice the daily take.
Black Bass
The statewide daily limit for black bass, counting largemouth and spotted together, is 10 fish per person with no minimum size in most waters.1Legal Information Institute. Louisiana Administrative Code tit. 76, VII-149 – Black Bass Regulations – Daily Take and Size Limits Several lakes carry tighter rules:
- Toledo Bend Reservoir and the Sabine River above Toledo Bend: 8 fish daily in combination, 14-inch minimum length for largemouth (no minimum for spotted bass).
- False River in Pointe Coupée Parish: 5 fish daily, 14-inch minimum length.
- Poverty Point Reservoir: 8 fish daily with a 15-to-19-inch protected slot; only one fish over 19 inches.
- Caddo Lake: 8 fish daily with a 14-to-18-inch protected slot for largemouth.
- Bussey Brake: 5 fish daily, 18-inch maximum total length.
These water-body limits shift as LDWF surveys population health, so check the current pamphlet before fishing an unfamiliar lake.2eRegulations. Louisiana Freshwater Creel and Size Limits
Crappie
Statewide, crappie (black and white combined) allow 50 fish per day with a 100-fish possession limit and no minimum size. Toledo Bend, Poverty Point, Caddo Lake, and the Sabine River drop that to 25 per day. Eagle Lake imposes an 11-inch minimum and a 30-fish daily limit. D’Arbonne Lake keeps the 50-fish limit but caps the take at no more than 7 fish over 12 inches.2eRegulations. Louisiana Freshwater Creel and Size Limits
Saltwater Bag and Size Limits
Saltwater limits are generally tighter than freshwater limits and more often include both a minimum and a maximum size. State-water rules sometimes differ from federal-water rules for the same species.
Red Drum (Redfish)
p>Four fish per person per day, each between 18 and 27 inches total length. None of your four fish may exceed 27 inches.3Legal Information Institute. Louisiana Administrative Code tit. 76, VII-363 – Red Drum – Harvest Regulations The slot protects juveniles and the largest breeding-age adults.
Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout)
The daily limit is 15 fish per person, down from the previous 25. Each fish must fall within a 13-to-20-inch slot, and only two of your 15 may exceed 20 inches.4Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. New Speckled Trout Regulations Go into Effect November 20 The old numbers still circulate among anglers, so double-check before you load the cooler.
Red Snapper
In Louisiana state waters, the daily bag is four fish per person with a 16-inch minimum total length.5Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Recreational Saltwater Finfish In federal waters, anglers fishing from federally permitted for-hire vessels face a two-fish limit with the same 16-inch minimum.6Gulf Council. Gulf Council – Red Snapper Louisiana’s season opens and closes based on the state’s annual allocation. The 2026 private recreational and state charter season begins May 1 and remains open until landings approach the state’s quota.
Other Common Saltwater Species
- Black drum: 5 per day, 16-to-27-inch slot, no more than one fish over 27 inches.
- Southern flounder: 10 per day, no minimum size.
- Cobia: 1 per person, no more than 2 per vessel, 36-inch minimum fork length.
- King mackerel: 3 per day, 24-inch minimum fork length.
- Greater amberjack: 1 per day, 34-inch minimum fork length.
Reef fish species like grouper and snapper follow aggregate bag limits: your combined catch across a group counts toward a single total.5Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Recreational Saltwater Finfish For example, you can keep up to four grouper per day across gag, red, yellowfin, scamp, and black grouper combined, with no more than two of any of gag, red, or yellowfin.
Federal Waters and Reef Fish Rules
Once you cross into federal waters, generally beyond nine nautical miles off Louisiana’s coast, different rules can apply. Red snapper drops from four fish to two for anglers on federally permitted for-hire vessels, and several reef species have federal seasons that open and close independently of Louisiana’s state seasons.
Anyone fishing for reef fish in Gulf federal waters must also carry a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready. A descending device needs at least a 16-ounce weight and 60 feet of line. A venting tool must be a hollow, sharpened instrument such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed.7NOAA Fisheries. NOAA Fisheries Reminds Reef Fish Fishermen of DESCEND Act Requirements and Announces a Final Rule The DESCEND Act’s requirement was set to expire in January 2026, but the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action to make it permanent through a replacement rule.8Gulf Council. Fish Rules Push Notifications
Seasons and Area Closures
Red snapper is not the only species with a season. Greater amberjack and other reef species follow federal seasonal closures that shift year to year. Wildlife Management Areas, refuges, and federal lands across Louisiana each have their own rules about legal gear, harvestable species, and access dates.9eRegulations. Louisiana Fishing WMAs, Refuges and Federal Lands Some coastal areas including parts of Breton Sound and Barataria Bay have restricted access during portions of the year. LDWF communicates closures through official announcements, on-site signage, and enforcement patrols.
License You Need Before You Fish
Anyone 18 or older who fishes in Louisiana must carry a valid license and personal identification on the water.10Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes RS 56:3000 – Recreational License Requirements; Definitions Anglers under 18 are exempt from both the basic and saltwater license requirements but still need proof of age.11Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Recreational Fishing Licenses and Permits Residents born before June 1, 1940, who have lived in the state at least six months qualify for a free senior hunting and fishing license.
A resident basic fishing license is $17. A nonresident basic license is $68. Saltwater is a separate add-on that requires the basic license first: $15 for residents, $60 for nonresidents. Nonresidents can buy a 5-day basic or 5-day saltwater license for $30 each. Charter boat passengers can pick up a three-day saltwater charter license for $20. The Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise license bundles all recreational hunting and fishing privileges for a resident at $100.12Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. License and Permit Fee List Reduced rates are available for active military, students, and people with disabilities.
Penalties for Exceeding a Limit
Louisiana groups fishing offenses into violation classes, and the consequences escalate quickly for repeat conduct.
General sport fishing violations without a separately specified penalty carry a first-offense fine of $25 to $100, jail of 10 to 60 days, or both. A second or later conviction for the same offense raises the range to $100 to $300, or 30 to 90 days, or both, and the court may order your tackle forfeited.13Justia Law. Louisiana Revised Statutes 56:336 – Penalty for Violation of Sport Fishing Provisions
Fishing without a required license is a class one violation. First offense is a flat $50 fine including all court costs. A second offense runs $75 to $250, and a third or subsequent offense runs $200 to $550.14Justia Law. Louisiana Revised Statutes 56:31 – Class One Violations
More serious offenses fall into class three. First offense: $250 to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Second: $500 to $800, 60 to 90 days of mandatory imprisonment, and forfeiture of anything seized. Third or subsequent: $750 to $1,000, 90 to 120 days of mandatory jail time, and forfeiture.15Justia Law. Louisiana Revised Statutes 56:33 – Class Three Violations
Beyond the fine and jail time, the court can suspend or revoke your fishing license for any fishing conviction. A suspension can last the remaining term of the license plus one additional year.13Justia Law. Louisiana Revised Statutes 56:336 – Penalty for Violation of Sport Fishing Provisions For second or subsequent class three convictions, the court may also bar you from obtaining a new license for the same period.15Justia Law. Louisiana Revised Statutes 56:33 – Class Three Violations
A Suspension in Louisiana Can Follow You Across State Lines
Louisiana joined the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact in 2008. Member states recognize and enforce license suspensions issued by other members.16CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts. Wildlife Violator Compact If Louisiana suspends your fishing privileges, every other member state can suspend your privileges there as well. The compact now includes most U.S. states, so one serious violation can shut you out of legal fishing across much of the country.