Can I Keep?Bluefin tuna Regulations in Louisiana (2026)
Recreational bluefin tuna rules in Louisiana saltwater, as published by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Size limit
73 inches minimum curved fork length
Bag limit
One trophy per vessel per year if caught incidentally while targeting…
Season
Opens January 1 each year and closes when the quota is met; Check…
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Bluefin tuna rules in Louisiana
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 73 inches minimum curved fork length
- Bag limit
- One trophy per vessel per year if caught incidentally while targeting other species while the trophy season is open
- Possession
- One trophy per vessel per year if caught incidentally while targeting other species while the trophy season is open
- Season
- Opens January 1 each year and closes when the quota is met; Check with NOAA Fisheries for more information.
- Directed or targeted recreational fishing of bluefin tuna is prohibited in the Gulf of America. You must report all bluefin tuna landings and dead discards to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours of landing. Report online through the NOAA Fisheries HMS Permit Shop, via the NOAA Fisheries HMS Mobile App, or by calling 800.894.5528.
- To possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, snappers, groupers, hinds, cobia, wahoo, dolphinfish, and gray triggerfish in Louisiana waters, recreational fishermen (except those under age 18 and those on a paid for-hire charter trip) must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit , in addition to required licenses.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 73 inches curved fork length (CFL)
- Season
- Federal seasons apply
- 2.Commercial. Persons harvesting the following tuna species. Atlantic bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, skipjack tuna and albacore whether within or outside Louisiana state territorial waters for commercial purposes or possessing such tuna species in excess of a recreational take limit are required to have a valid federal commercial tuna permit in their immediate possession on board the vessel. No person shall sell, barter, trade or exchange or attempt to sell, barter, trade or exchange any species of tuna without a valid federal commercial tuna permit. No person shall purchase, barter, trade or exchange or attempt to purchase barter, trade or exchange any species of tuna from any person who harvested tuna without a valid federal commercial tuna permit.
- LDWF Commercial Saltwater Finfish Seasons (https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/commercial-saltwater-finfish-seasons): Tuna — Federal seasons apply
Quick answers
What is the bluefin tuna size limit in Louisiana?
73 inches minimum curved fork length.
How many bluefin tuna can I keep in Louisiana?
One trophy per vessel per year if caught incidentally while targeting other species while the trophy season is open.
When is bluefin tuna season in Louisiana?
Opens January 1 each year and closes when the quota is met; Check with NOAA Fisheries for more information.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
More offshore & pelagic in Louisiana
- Bigeye tuna
- Blue marlin
- Cobia
- King mackerel
- Roundscale spearfish
- Sailfish
- Spanish mackerel
- Swordfish
- White marlin
- Yellowfin tuna
All Louisiana saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Most anglers need a Louisiana saltwater license or registry: get one here.