Spanish Mackerel (also known as Spanish Mackerel, Spanish, Spanish Mack) in Louisiana. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the LDWF guide, 2026.
In Louisiana, the minimum legal size for Spanish Mackerel is 12 in and the daily bag limit is 15 per person. There is no closed season in LA.
No closed season
Gulf of Mexico (Louisiana). Species = Atlantic Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus). 12" minimum measured as fork length (FL). Louisiana state/territorial waters; aligned with federal Gulf limits. No Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) required — mackerel is NOT on the LDWF ROLP species list (tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, hinds, snappers, dolphinfish, wahoo, cobia, gray triggerfish).
These limits are pulled from the LDWF recreational fishing regulations. Last verified September 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
Louisiana requires both a Basic and a Saltwater fishing licence to fish or possess fish in the saltwater area (anglers aged 18+). Louisiana licences.
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