LDWF monitors the population of a number of recreational species. Fishing regulations may be modified to minimize the impact of fishing activities. Check here for periodic updates to seasons, size and bag limits and closed areas.
Freshwater Finfish
- Changes in black bass size and creel limit on Black Bayou Reservoir (Bossier Parish), Chicot Lake, Cross Lake, Lake Rodemacher, Vernon Lake and Spanish Lake: statewide regulations now apply.
- Change in possession limit up to three times the daily take for black bass (Micropterus spp.) below (south) U.S. Highway 90.
- Regulations for in Louisiana/Texas border waters (Toledo Bend Reservoir, Caddo Lake and the Sabine River) are now limited to five channel catfish and blue catfish per day over 30, rather than 20 inches.
Marine Finfish
Please refer to these LDWF websites for current information:
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/recreational/saltwater/seasons and
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/recreational/saltwater/regulations
- The closed season for gag grouper is Jan. 1 - June 30 of each year.
- The closed season for the harvest of black grouper, red grouper, yellowfin grouper and scamp is Feb. 1 - March 31 of each year seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) curve.
- The closed season for the harvest of gray triggerfish is from June 1 - June 30.
- The vermilion snapper recreational bag limit is not more than 10 fish per person within the current 20 fish aggregate.
- The gray triggerfish recreational limit is not more than 2 per person within the current 20 fish aggregate.
- The recreational bag and size limit of tripletail is 5 fish per day at 18 inches minimum total length.
- Gray snapper, dolphinfish, wahoo and cobia have been added to the list of species requiring a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Permit must be obtained at www.wlf.la.gov/rolp
- The requirement for anglers on a for-hire trip to have the Recreational Offshore Landing Permit has been removed, instead only requiring the charter captain to have the permit in possession.
- The requirement for the possession of and the use of a venting tool when fishing for reef fish has been removed.
- The regulations for size, bag and season limits for rock hind, red hind, misty grouper, black sea bass, dog snapper, mahogany snapper, schoolmaster, blackline tilefish and anchor tilefish have been removed.
- As of Oct. 2, 2014, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a Notice of Intent to establish the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program permit. This is a program where permitted retail food establishments will be able to prepare certain recreational fish caught by properly licensed fishermen. Rules and regulations, penalties, terms, conditions and requirements will apply to those food establishments and fishermen participating in the program.
