2026 regulation year
Red drum (redfish) Fishing Regulations by State (2026)
Sciaenops ocellatus
Last updated
Red drum (redfish) is regulated separately by each state. This page compares the open-season window, daily bag limit, and size or slot rule for red drum across the 5 states fishregs covers deeply for 2026. Rules vary by state and often by individual water body, so confirm on the linked state page before fishing. New to bag, slot, and size limits? The glossary explains every term.
Red drum regulations comparison by state
| State | Open season | Daily bag | Size / slot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Open year-round | 4 / day per angler, within the 18–27 in slot | 18–27 in protected slot; no red drum over 27 in may be retainedSlot: 18–27 in slot — only slot-size fish retainable; the over-27-in 'bonus bull red' was eliminated |
| Mississippi | Open year-round | 3 / day per angler | 18 in min, 30 in max — MS protects breeding-class fish above 30 in (no slot bonus, unlike LA's bull-red rule)Slot: 18 – 30 in slot |
| North Carolina | Open year-round | 1 / day | Slot 18–27 in (release fish outside slot)Slot: 18–27 in slot — release oversize and undersize |
| South Carolina | Open year-round | Through June 30, 2026: 2 / day per angler, 6 per boat per day max. From July 1, 2026 (Act 231): 1 / day per angler, 2 per boat per day max | 15–23 in protected slot through June 30, 2026; 18–25 in protected slot from July 1, 2026 (Act 231) — undersized AND oversized must be releasedSlot: 15–23 in slot (through June 30, 2026); 18–25 in slot (from July 1, 2026, Act 231) — only fish within slot retainable; oversized (bull reds) must be released |
| Texas | Open year-round | 3 / day | 20 in minimumSlot: 20–28 in slot |
Figures are statewide defaults for 2026. Specific lakes, rivers, and coastal zones can carry their own red drum rules — open any state row for the full season map, gear restrictions, and named water-body overrides.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is there a nationwide red drum season or bag limit?
- No. Each US state sets its own red drum rules. Across the 5 states covered here, 5 keep harvest open year-round while 0 define a closed season, and daily bag and size limits differ from state to state. Use the table above to compare, then open a state page for the exact current rule.
- Does my fishing license cover red drum in every state?
- No. A fishing license is valid only in the state that issued it, apart from a few border-water reciprocity agreements. To fish red drum in another state you generally need that state's non-resident license — compare non-resident fees on the license-fees page and check the reciprocity page for shared-water exceptions.
- Why do red drum rules vary so much between states?
- Red drum (redfish) (Sciaenops ocellatus) is a saltwater species, and each state manages it for its own water temperatures, spawning timing, population health, and fishing pressure. Many states also set tougher rules on specific lakes or rivers, so the statewide figure shown here can be overridden on a named water body — always confirm on the linked state page before fishing.