Red Snapper (also known as American Red Snapper, Sow Snapper, Genuine Red Snapper) in Louisiana. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the LDWF guide, 2026.
In Louisiana, the minimum legal size for Red Snapper is 16 in and the daily bag limit is 4 per person (may change mid-season). Season note: Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current Louisiana rules before keeping fish.
Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current Louisiana rules before keeping fish.
Gulf of Mexico state waters. Listed in the REEF FISH / SNAPPER section of the 2026 LDWF guide. Season is reset by LDWF each year — do NOT publish a recurring date window. STATE waters: 16 in min total length, 4/day. The official 2026 LDWF guide flags the bag as '(subject to change mid-season)' and states the season 'may change frequently.' Minimum-size and season/bag in FEDERAL waters off Louisiana differ and are set by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council/NMFS. Retention by captain/crew on for-hire (charter/head) trips and reef-fish-permitted vessels follow the more restrictive of state/federal reef-fish rules.
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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