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Fishing in Louisiana

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Want trophy-size catches? These Louisiana spots deliver

About Louisiana fishing

Louisiana is a fishing hotspot, with freshwater bass and catfish in lakes and bayous, plus redfish, speckled trout, and flounder along the Gulf Coast. Year-round opportunities and rich ecosystems make it ideal for freshwater and inshore anglers.

Louisiana fishing license

Fishing in Louisiana requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination options, available online or at vendors statewide.

In Louisiana, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. Residents 60 and older qualify for a discounted license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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Top fish species caught in Louisiana

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Biggest catches in Louisiana

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

State records of caught fish in Louisiana

SpeciesWeightChannel catfish30 lbsLargemouth bass16 lbsBluegill1.8 lbs

Latest Louisiana fishing reports

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Blue catfish

17th Street Canal

length · weight

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Channel catfish

Sugar Mill Pond

5 in · 1 oz

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Meanmouth bass

Sugar Mill Pond

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Duncan Canal

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Bayou Contraband

12 in · 1 lb

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Largemouth bass

Colton Creek

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Bayou Fountain

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Channel catfish

Lafitte Drive-In Park

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Largemouth bass

Lafitte Drive-In Park

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Largemouth bass

Lafitte Drive-In Park

length · weight

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Fishing regulations in Louisiana

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Louisiana can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Red drum as of June 3rd, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Red drum

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

4

Min size

18"

Max size

27"

Measurement

Total Length

Beginning June 20, 2024 keeping Red Drum over 27 inches total length is prohibited.

Charter captains and crew will still be allowed to engage in fishing on charter trips to demonstrate how to catch red drum, but will not be allowed to retain red drum towards any limit on the vessel. For more information on the status of the Red Drum stock in Louisiana, visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/hot-topic-red-drum.


Harvest in federal waters prohibited. Recreational saltwater anglers may possess a two days' bag limit on land; however, no person shall be in possession of fish over the daily bag limit in any one day or while fishing or while on the water, unless that recreational saltwater angler is aboard a trawler engaged in commercial fishing for a consecutive period of longer than 25 hours. Take or possession of red drum if federal waters is prohibited. The possession limit for red drum and spotted seatrout taken south of U.S. Hwy 90 shall be three times the daily take limit when the fisherman holds and is in possession of a valid recreational fishing license and can show a landing receipt from a public boat launch located south of U.S. Hwy 90 that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the fisherman has been actively on the water or at a remote camp that can be accessed only by water for two days or more. The fish shall be kept whole or whole gutted in separate bags for each species of fish. The bags shall be marked with the date the fish were taken, the species, the number of fish contained in the bag, and the name and license number of the person taking the fish. The fish shall only be in the possession of the person who took the fish. However, no fisherman shall be actively fishing or engaged in fishing while in possession of more than the daily take limit.

Very Good

Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass

Regulations for

30°27′29.1″N 91°08′24.8″W
Regulations in the map

From the Fishbrain blog

Learn where to fish, when to fish, and top tips from our anglers to help you land that personal best

Fishing pre spawn bass

We highlight some of our best tips for finding pre-spawn bass as they move from deepwater to potential bedding areas and look at must have lures for pre-spawn and how Fishbrain can help you find that perfect spot.

Fishing pre spawn bass
Fall Fishing for Bull Reds

Every fall, anglers in the gulf and Atlantic become obsessed with pumpkins. Not because of the looming Halloween holiday, however, but the presence of bull redfish. Learn more about why these giant fish are one of the most sought after species in saltwater this time of year.

Fall Fishing for Bull Reds
Battling for the future of Louisiana redfish

A recent stock assessment has the redfish population in Louisiana at 8.7 million fish, down from over 21 million recorded in 2009. The rapid decline in fish numbers along with the ecological and economical impacts of such a crash led to conservation groups getting involved and battling the government regarding new conservation policies.

Battling for the future of Louisiana redfish
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FAQ about Louisiana fishing

Fishing regulations in Louisiana, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.
Some of the most popular species anglers target in Louisiana, United States include Red drum, Channel catfish, and Largemouth bass. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.
Some of the most popular fishing spots in Louisiana, United States include Lake Pontchartrain, Toledo Bend Reservoir, and Sabine Lake. Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.