Louisiana Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Possession limit is TWICE the daily creel limit unless otherwise stated.
- ⚠ Sturgeon: no legal harvest or possession.
- ⚠ Paddlefish cannot be retained alive and cannot be harvested by snagging; 30-in max lower-jaw fork length.
- ⚠ Anglers may have up to 3x daily bag limit of black bass below US 90 in coastal Louisiana if fish kept whole in separate labeled bags.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | 10 daily | No size limit statewide; special waters have MLLs (Atchafalaya area 12 in/5 fish; Eagle Lake 16 in; Toledo Bend 14 in/8 fish) |
| Spotted bass | 10 daily (with black bass) | No MLL |
| Striped or hybrid striped bass | 5 daily | Max 2 over 30 in |
| White bass | 50 daily (Caddo/Toledo Bend: 25) | |
| Yellow bass | 50 daily | |
| Crappie | 50 daily (100 possession) | Special waters: 25-30 daily |
| Sunfish (bluegill, redear) | No limit | |
| Blue catfish | 100 daily aggregate catfish | Min 12 in |
| Channel catfish | 100 daily aggregate | Min 11 in |
| Flathead catfish | 100 daily aggregate | Min 14 in (Caddo/Toledo Bend: 10 daily, 18 in min) |
| Bowfin (choupique) | No limit | Min 16 in |
| Buffalo fish | 25 daily | Min 16 in |
| Freshwater drum (gaspergou) | 25 daily | Min 12 in |
| Paddlefish | 2 daily | Max 30 in lower-jaw fork length; no snagging |
| Crawfish | 150 lbs daily |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Lower Atchafalaya Basin, Grassy Lake, Lake Palourde, Lake Verrett
- Black bass 12 in MLL, 5 daily (effective 8/1/2026).
Bussey Brake
- Bass 5/day, 18 in max length (1 over 22 in for weigh-in); crappie 10 in min, 25/day; sunfish 50.
Eagle Lake (Madison Parish)
- Largemouth bass min 16 in; crappie 11 in min, 30/day.
Toledo Bend & Sabine River
- Bass 14 in MLL (8 daily); crappie 25 daily; catfish 50 aggregate.
Caddo Lake
- Crappie 25/day; white bass 25; catfish 50 aggregate (blue/channel no size, flathead 18 in/10 daily).
Toledo Bend Reservoir
- Black bass 14 in minimum, 8/day; crappie 25/day; white bass 25.
Sabine River
- Black bass 14 in minimum (above Toledo Bend), 8/day; crappie 25.
D'Arbonne Lake
- Crappie: 50/day, max 7 over 12 in.
Lake Verret
- Black bass 12 in min, 5/day (Atchafalaya area).
Lower Atchafalaya Basin
- Black bass 12 in min, 5/day; crappie 8 in min, 25/day.
Seasons
Most species open year-round; paddlefish restricted.
Licence Fees
Louisiana fishing license required (resident/non-resident); fees per LDWF.
Edition: 2026 Louisiana Freshwater Creel & Size Limits (LDWF) · Effective: 2026 season (effective 8/1/2026 for Atchafalaya changes) · Source: Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries (wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing)
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