Fishing Regulations in Louisiana
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Louisiana fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Louisiana requires a basic fishing license for anyone 16 years and older. A saltwater license is required in addition to the basic license for saltwater fishing. Licenses can be purchased online through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Louisiana offers some of the most diverse fishing in the country, spanning freshwater bayous to deep Gulf waters.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 10 per day | 14 inches minimum | Year-round | Toledo Bend has specific tournament regulations. |
| crappie | 50 per day | No minimum | Year-round | Very liberal limits. Some waters have reduced limits. |
| redfish | 5 per day | 16 to 27 inches (slot limit) | Year-round | Only 1 fish over 27 inches allowed. No harvest of bull reds over 27 inches except 1. |
| speckled-trout | 25 per day | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | Only 2 over 25 inches. Liberal limits compared to most Gulf states. |
| red-snapper | 2 per day | 16 inches minimum | Seasonal (typically June-August) | Season set annually by LDWF. Check current dates before fishing. |
| flounder | 10 per day | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | Fall flounder run from October through November is excellent. |
| channel-catfish | 50 per day | No minimum | Year-round | Very liberal limits throughout the state. |
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: 14 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Toledo Bend has specific tournament regulations.
Bag Limit: 50 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Very liberal limits. Some waters have reduced limits.
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 16 to 27 inches (slot limit)
Season: Year-round
Notes: Only 1 fish over 27 inches allowed. No harvest of bull reds over 27 inches except 1.
Bag Limit: 25 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Only 2 over 25 inches. Liberal limits compared to most Gulf states.
Bag Limit: 2 per day
Size Limit: 16 inches minimum
Season: Seasonal (typically June-August)
Notes: Season set annually by LDWF. Check current dates before fishing.
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Fall flounder run from October through November is excellent.
Bag Limit: 50 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Very liberal limits throughout the state.
Top Fishing Waters
Toledo Bend
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish
Calcasieu Lake
estuarySpecies: redfish, speckled-trout, flounder, sheepshead
Venice (offshore)
oceanSpecies: red-snapper, yellowfin-tuna, tarpon, king-mackerel
Caney Creek Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill
Atchafalaya Basin
riverSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, blue-catfish, bluegill
Marsh Island
estuarySpecies: redfish, speckled-trout, flounder
Lake Pontchartrain
estuarySpecies: speckled-trout, redfish, sheepshead, flounder
Sabine Lake
estuarySpecies: redfish, speckled-trout, flounder, sheepshead
False River
lakeSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 15 lbs 14 oz | 1994 | Caney Creek Reservoir |
| Crappie | 3 lbs 14 oz | 2000 | Toledo Bend |
| Channel Catfish | 36 lbs | 1971 | Bundicks Lake |
| Blue Catfish | 114 lbs | 1997 | Mississippi River |
| Redfish | 51 lbs 4 oz | 2000 | Calcasieu Lake |
| Speckled Trout | 12 lbs 4 oz | 1950 | Lake Borgne |
| Red Snapper | 53 lbs | 1996 | Gulf of Mexico |
| Tarpon | 215 lbs | 1960 | Grand Isle |
| Flounder | 10 lbs 12 oz | 1983 | Calcasieu Lake |