When is red drum (redfish) season in Louisiana?

Louisiana keeps red drum (redfish) open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Louisiana bag limit for red drum (redfish)?

The Louisiana daily bag limit for red drum (redfish) is 4 / day per angler, within the 18–27 in slot. The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size red drum (redfish) can you keep in Louisiana?

The Louisiana size rule for red drum (redfish) is 18–27 in protected slot; no red drum over 27 in may be retained. Slot limit: 18–27 in slot — only slot-size fish retainable; the over-27-in 'bonus bull red' was eliminated.

Do you need a license to fish for red drum (redfish) in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana requires a valid fishing license to fish for red drum (redfish), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Louisiana license — compare resident and non-resident Louisiana fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for red drum (redfish) in Louisiana?

Yes. In Louisiana, red drum (redfish) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line + cast net for bait collection; Circle hooks recommended when fishing natural bait on bottom rigs for red drum; Saltwater Licence required (plus the Basic Fishing Licence it adds onto); Captain + crew may not retain red drum on charter / head-boat for-hire trips.

Do specific Louisiana waters have different red drum (redfish) rules?

Yes. 5 named Louisiana waters carry rules that override the statewide red drum (redfish) regulation, including Mississippi River Delta, Lake Pontchartrain, Calcasieu Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Louisiana Red drum (redfish) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

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Last updated June 9, 2026

Louisiana's saltwater red drum fishery — locally just called 'reds' — is the most-celebrated inshore game fishery on the Gulf coast. The Mississippi River Delta from Venice through Hopedale, Delacroix, Lafitte, Empire, and Lake Borgne; Lake Pontchartrain through to the Rigolets; Vermilion + Atchafalaya Bay outflows; and Calcasieu + Sabine Lake on the west all hold year-round redfish populations. Louisiana overhauled its red drum rule after a stock assessment found the population overfished: effective June 20, 2024 — the first major change to the state's red drum limits since 1988 — the daily bag dropped to 4 fish per angler within an 18–27 inch total-length slot, and the long-standing 'bonus bull red' over 27 inches has been eliminated, so no red drum over 27 inches may be retained. Retention of red drum by the captain and crew on charter / head boats while on a for-hire trip is also prohibited. Confirm current LDWF notices before fishing, as the rule remains under active management review.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round in saltwater statewide. Red drum harvest was reduced (4/day, 18–27 in slot) effective June 20, 2024 under an overfishing-driven rule change — confirm current LDWF notices before fishing.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 4 / day per angler, within the 18–27 in slot
Possession: Same as daily bag

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 18–27 in protected slot; no red drum over 27 in may be retained
Slot: 18–27 in slot — only slot-size fish retainable; the over-27-in 'bonus bull red' was eliminated

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line + cast net for bait collection
Circle hooks recommended when fishing natural bait on bottom rigs for red drum
Saltwater Licence required (plus the Basic Fishing Licence it adds onto)
Captain + crew may not retain red drum on charter / head-boat for-hire trips

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Louisiana waters:

Mississippi River Delta
18–27 slot, 4 / day, none over 27 in — world-class inshore fishery
Lake Pontchartrain
18–27 slot, 4 / day, none over 27 in
Calcasieu Lake / 'Big Lake'
18–27 slot, 4 / day — west-coast trophy redfish
Sabine Lake
18–27 slot, 4 / day (LA side); LA/TX reciprocal
Vermilion Bay + Atchafalaya Bay
18–27 slot, 4 / day, none over 27 in

Official source

Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries publishes the authoritative 2026 Louisianafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

The red drum (redfish) rules on this page are sourced from Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries's official red drum (redfish) regulation page.

Visit official Louisiana fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Red drum (redfish) closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries's emergency-order feed — check it before any Louisiana trip during the active season.

Emergency orders →

Frequently asked questions

When is red drum (redfish) season in Louisiana?: Louisiana keeps red drum (redfish) open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Louisiana bag limit for red drum (redfish)?: The Louisiana daily bag limit for red drum (redfish) is 4 / day per angler, within the 18–27 in slot. The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size red drum (redfish) can you keep in Louisiana?: The Louisiana size rule for red drum (redfish) is 18–27 in protected slot; no red drum over 27 in may be retained. Slot limit: 18–27 in slot — only slot-size fish retainable; the over-27-in 'bonus bull red' was eliminated.
Do you need a license to fish for red drum (redfish) in Louisiana?: Yes. Louisiana requires a valid fishing license to fish for red drum (redfish), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Louisiana license — compare resident and non-resident Louisiana fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for red drum (redfish) in Louisiana?: Yes. In Louisiana, red drum (redfish) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line + cast net for bait collection; Circle hooks recommended when fishing natural bait on bottom rigs for red drum; Saltwater Licence required (plus the Basic Fishing Licence it adds onto); Captain + crew may not retain red drum on charter / head-boat for-hire trips.
Do specific Louisiana waters have different red drum (redfish) rules?: Yes. 5 named Louisiana waters carry rules that override the statewide red drum (redfish) regulation, including Mississippi River Delta, Lake Pontchartrain, Calcasieu Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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