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FISHING CALENDAR · LOUISIANA
Louisiana Fishing Calendar
Louisiana has marsh fishing for redfish and speckled trout, and blue water off Venice and Grand Isle where you fish the oil rigs for snapper, tuna and wahoo. Closed seasons and limits come from LDWF's 2026 regulations and the Gulf Council's 2026 calendar. Most best months come from Game & Fish magazine calendars, because LDWF does not publish best-month tables.
Government fish & wildlife updates
- LDWF News — Season openings, closures and rule changes
- LDWF – Red Snapper (LA Creel landings) — Current red snapper season and weekly landings
- Gulf Council – Federal Fishing Regulations — Federal Gulf seasons and the yearly calendar
Month by month
| Fish | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inshore saltwater | |||||||||||||
| Redfish (red drum) | 4 fish a day, 18–27 in., none over 27 in. Keeping red drum in federal waters is not allowed. Months (magazine — not official): Golden Meadow in Mar, Dulac in Apr, Lake Pontchartrain in May–Jun, Biloxi Marsh in Aug, bull reds at Cocodrie and Grand Isle in late summer and Sep, Delacroix in Oct.[1][12][13][16] | ||||||||||||
| Speckled trout (spotted seatrout) | 15 fish a day, 13–20 in., no more than 2 over 20 in. LDWF says they spawn Apr–Sep, peaking in Apr, May and Aug. Months (magazine — not official): Biloxi Marsh in Jan, Venice in May, and June is 'prime time'.[1][9][12][13][16] | ||||||||||||
| Southern flounder | 10 fish a day, no size limit. Closed every year Oct. 15 through Nov. 30, so no keeping them from mid-October to the end of November. Both magazine calendars name November for Lake Calcasieu flounder, but that month is now closed. No official best months found.[1][4][12][13] | ||||||||||||
| Black drum | 5 fish a day, 16–27 in.; you may keep one over 27 in. Months (magazine — not official): Dulac and Cocodrie bays in Jan, Dulac in Mar.[1][12][13][16] | ||||||||||||
| Sheepshead | Not on LDWF's saltwater limits chart. Months (magazine — not official): Lake Pontchartrain in Apr (bank off Hwy 90) and Jul (jetties and piers).[1][12][13] | ||||||||||||
| Tarpon | Months (magazine — not official): Grand Isle in July, the month of its well-known tarpon rodeo; the magazine says tarpon spawn in late July. No limit listed on LDWF's saltwater chart.[12] | ||||||||||||
| Offshore | |||||||||||||
| Red snapper | 2026: 4 fish a day, 16 in. minimum. Opened May 1 and closed Aug. 9, then reopened only Aug. 27–30 and Sep. 4–7. Closed after Sep. 7 'until further notice'. Federally permitted charter boats follow the federal season (June 1–Oct. 26, 2026).[5][6][7][8][14] | ||||||||||||
| Mangrove (gray) snapper | 12 in. minimum; part of the 10-fish snapper bag. Months (magazine — not official): good numbers on the first and second rigs off Grand Isle through the summer.[1][13] | ||||||||||||
| Gray triggerfish | 1 fish a day, 15 in. fork length. Closed Jan. 1 through the end of February and June 1–July 31 every year. Month (magazine — not official): October, inshore southeast of Morgan City.[1][8][13] | ||||||||||||
| Greater amberjack | 1 fish a day, 34 in. fork length. Open Sep. 1–Oct. 31 or until the quota is met. In federal waters the 2026 season was set to close Oct. 14 (TPWD notice). Magazines also name Sep and Oct at the rigs.[1][8][15][12][13] | ||||||||||||
| Gag grouper | Closed Jan. 1–Aug. 31 (new for 2026). 24 in. minimum, 2 a day within the 4-grouper total. Other groupers are closed Feb. 1–Mar. 31 beyond the 20-fathom line. No official best months found.[1] | ||||||||||||
| Cobia (lemonfish) | 1 a day, 2 per boat, 36 in. fork length. LDWF says cobia spawn in the Gulf from spring through early fall. Month (magazine — not official): both calendars pick Cocodrie for September.[1][10][12][13] | ||||||||||||
| King mackerel | 3 a day, 24 in. fork length. No official best months found.[1] | ||||||||||||
| Yellowfin tuna | 3 a day, 27 in. curved fork length; federal HMS permit needed in federal waters. Official tourism: 'A prime time for trophy tuna and wahoo is January through March.' Month (magazine — not official): December at the Midnight Lump off Venice.[1][11][13] | ||||||||||||
| Wahoo | New for 2026: 5 a day, no size limit. Official tourism names Jan–Mar as prime time. Magazines also name January (rigs southwest of Venice) and a February charter out of Venice.[1][11][12][13] | ||||||||||||
| Mahi (dolphin) | Needs the free LDWF offshore landing permit (ROLP). Month (magazine — not official): offshore in August around floating debris.[1][12] | ||||||||||||
| Freshwater | |||||||||||||
| Largemouth bass | Statewide 10 a day, no size limit; many lakes have their own rules (e.g., Toledo Bend 14 in., 8 a day). Months (magazine — not official): Toledo Bend in Mar–Apr, Caney Lake in Mar and Oct, prespawn at Cross Lake in Feb.[2][12][13] | ||||||||||||
| Crappie | Statewide 50 a day (100 in possession); some lakes are 25 a day with size limits. Months (magazine — not official): the bite starts in January; Poverty Point in Feb; D'Arbonne shallows from February through May.[2][12][13] | ||||||||||||
| Catfish (blue, channel, flathead) | 100 a day combined; blue 12 in., channel 11 in., flathead 14 in. minimum. Months (magazine — not official): Lac des Allemands in Jan, Red River in Jun, big rivers in Aug, Bundick Lake in Oct, Lake Maurepas in Nov.[2][12][13] | ||||||||||||
| Hybrid striped bass | 5 a day, no more than 2 over 30 in. Months (magazine — not official): Lake Claiborne in Oct (2015) and Dec (2019).[2][12][13] | ||||||||||||
| Crabs | |||||||||||||
| Blue crab | 12 dozen per person a day, no size limit; release egg-bearing (berry) females. Up to 10 traps per licensed fisher in salt water. Traps may be banned in some cleanup areas for parts of Feb–Mar 2026. No official best months found.[3] | ||||||||||||
Never keep: Never keep: Goliath grouper and Nassau grouper; red drum in federal waters; shortfin mako (now prohibited) and other prohibited sharks, including sandbar, silky and white sharks; sturgeon; paddlefish in Texas boundary waters and below the saltwater line.[1][2][8]
Bait & rig for each fish
Redfish (red drum)
Bait: Live or cut mullet, pinfish, blue crab pieces, and live or fresh dead shrimp.
Lures: Gold spoons, paddle-tail soft plastics on a 1/8–1/4 oz jig head, topwater walking baits, and shrimp imitations.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, 2–3 ft.
Speckled trout (spotted seatrout)
Bait: Live shrimp under a popping cork, live pilchards or pinfish.
Lures: Soft-plastic jerkbaits and paddle tails, suspending twitchbaits, and topwater walking baits at dawn.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, 2–3 ft.
Southern flounder
Bait: Live mud minnows, finger mullet and shrimp.
Lures: Soft plastics on a jig head dragged slowly on the bottom; Gulp! swimming mullet.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, 2–3 ft.
Black drum
Bait: Texas Parks & Wildlife documents cut fish, squid and shrimp, with peeled shrimp tails especially common.
Lures: Rarely; a slow jig tipped with shrimp.
Rig: A conventional bottom rig with a sinker and one or more single-hook drops is documented; a single drop with little or no weight is also described.
Leader: 10–30 lb fluorocarbon/mono is a common flats/inshore start; move to 40–80 lb around abrasive mouths, structure or large tarpon/snook.
Sheepshead
Bait: Fiddler crabs, live shrimp, sand fleas, oysters and barnacles.
Lures: Rarely; a small jig tipped with shrimp or fiddler.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, 2–3 ft.
Tarpon
Bait: Live crabs, mullet, pinfish, threadfin herring and large shrimp.
Lures: Swimbaits, soft-plastic jerkbaits, plugs and flies; small jigs for baby tarpon.
Rig: A documented tarpon option is a live-line/live-bait rig using main line, leader, a circle hook and live bait without added weight. Component strength and size must match the fish and local rules.
Leader: A strong monofilament leader helps resist contact with the gill plate and tail.
Red snapper
Bait: Cut bait, squid and live pinfish or cigar minnows.
Lures: Vertical jigs.
Rig: A knocker, fish-finder, dropper or simple jig setup are common choices; use only enough weight to hold the strike zone.
Leader: 30–80 lb abrasion-resistant mono/fluorocarbon is a common starting range; increase around sharp reef or very large fish.
Mangrove (gray) snapper
Bait: Live shrimp, pilchards, pinfish and cut bait.
Lures: Small jigs and soft plastics worked near structure.
Rig: A knocker, fish-finder, dropper or simple jig setup are common choices; use only enough weight to hold the strike zone.
Leader: 30–80 lb abrasion-resistant mono/fluorocarbon is a common starting range; increase around sharp reef or very large fish.
Gray triggerfish
Bait: Florida FWC documents squid or cut bait for gray triggerfish.
Lures: Small jigs, soft plastics, spoons or micro-jigs are common choices; use the smallest lure that reaches the zone.
Rig: Simple dropper, knocker or light jig rig; keep hardware small and use only enough weight to maintain contact.
Leader: 12–30 lb abrasion-resistant mono/fluorocarbon is a common start.
Greater amberjack
Bait: Live blue runners, pinfish and large baitfish.
Lures: Heavy vertical jigs and big poppers.
Rig: A knocker, fish-finder, dropper or simple jig setup are common choices; use only enough weight to hold the strike zone.
Leader: 30–80 lb abrasion-resistant mono/fluorocarbon is a common starting range; increase around sharp reef or very large fish.
Gag grouper
Bait: Live pinfish, grunts, sardines; big cut baits.
Lures: Deep-diving plugs trolled over ledges; heavy jigs.
Leader: 50–80 lb fluorocarbon.
Cobia (lemonfish)
Bait: Live eels, pinfish, croakers, crabs and menhaden.
Lures: Big bucktail jigs (1–3 oz) with a long soft-plastic tail, and large soft eels.
Leader: 30–40 lb fluorocarbon (add light wire for mackerel and bluefish).
King mackerel
Bait: Live blue runners, goggle-eyes, menhaden and threadfin herring; frozen cigar minnows.
Lures: Spoons, diving plugs and duster-rigged baits.
Rig: Use a clean trolling or live-bait rig with minimal hardware, a strong swivel where needed and a leader long enough to protect against abrasion.
Leader: Wire or monofilament leader is documented; material choice, strength and length are not universally established.
Yellowfin tuna
Bait: Live baits (blue runners, bonito) and chunks.
Lures: Spreader bars, skirted lures, poppers and stick baits.
Rig: Use a clean trolling or live-bait rig with minimal hardware, a strong swivel where needed and a leader long enough to protect against abrasion.
Leader: 40–100 lb mono/fluorocarbon is a common starting range; toothy species may need heavier abrasion-resistant or wire bite protection.
Wahoo
Bait: Rigged ballyhoo and live baits on wire.
Lures: High-speed trolling lures and lipped diving plugs on wire.
Rig: Use a clean trolling or live-bait rig with minimal hardware, a strong swivel where needed and a leader long enough to protect against abrasion.
Leader: Use heavy abrasion/bite leader; many wahoo anglers add short wire or cable because of the teeth.
Mahi (dolphin)
Bait: Ballyhoo, flying fish, squid and cut bait to keep a school near the boat.
Lures: Skirted trolling lures, small feathers and bucktail jigs.
Rig: Use a clean trolling or live-bait rig with minimal hardware, a strong swivel where needed and a leader long enough to protect against abrasion.
Leader: 30–60 lb mono/fluorocarbon is a common mahi start; increase for abrasion or mixed wahoo water.
Largemouth bass
Bait: Live wild shiners.
Lures: Plastic worms, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater frogs and crankbaits.
Rig: Float rig, Carolina/bottom rig, jig head or simple lure setup depending on depth and species.
Leader: Often 6–15 lb mono/fluoro; heavier leader is useful around abrasive cover or toothy fish.
Catfish (blue, channel, flathead)
Bait: Fresh cut shad, skipjack herring or other oily fish.
Lures: —
Leader: 25–50 lb mono, 18–24 in.
Blue crab
Bait: Freshly dead fish is documented as blue-crab trap bait by Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Lures: Not applicable.
Rig: Crab traps are a documented blue-crab capture method. Use only locally legal gear.
Leader: Not applicable.
Local fishing reports — what’s biting now
- Louisiana Sportsman – Fishing Reports — Weekly catches and reports from around the state
- Louisiana Sportsman – Offshore Fishing — Rig, snapper, tuna and season news from Venice to Cameron
- Houma Times – Outdoors — Terrebonne and Lafourche outdoor news, including red snapper tracking
Sources
- LDWF (eRegulations) – 2026 Louisiana Saltwater Creel & Size Limits
- LDWF (eRegulations) – 2026 Freshwater Creel & Size Limits
- LDWF (eRegulations) – 2026 Crabbing rules
- LDWF – Flounder season closes Oct. 15 through Nov. 30
- LDWF – 2026 red snapper season to open Friday, May 1
- LDWF – Declaration of Emergency: 2026 red snapper reopening and closure
- LDWF – Red snapper page (2026 season and landings)
- Gulf Council – 2026 Recreational Fishing Season Calendar (PDF)
- LDWF – Spotted seatrout species page
- LDWF – Cobia species page
- Explore Louisiana (official tourism) – How to Land a Trophy Fish in Louisiana
- Game & Fish – Louisiana Fishing Calendar 2019
- Game & Fish – Louisiana 2015 Fishing Calendar
- LDWF – Recreational red snapper season to close Aug. 9
- TPWD – Amberjack limits (2026 federal season notice)
- Anglers hearing drums along the bayou (Louisiana Sportsman)
Checked October 2026. BigJoe does not invent facts: every month on this calendar comes from the sources above. Empty boxes mean no official source gives those months. Rules change — check the agency page before you keep a fish.
On the bay, in the mangroves or on the ocean, the everyday struggles get left at the dock — for those few hours it’s just you, the water and peace.