Lane snapper Regulations in Louisiana (2026)

Recreational lane snapper rules in Louisiana saltwater, as published by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Last checked November 7, 2026.

Size limit

8 inches minimum total length

Bag limit

20 per person

Season

Open year-round in state waters, or until the annual catch limit is…

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Recreational Lane snapper rules in Louisiana

Where: Statewide
Size limit: 8 inches minimum total length
Bag limit: 20 per person per day within the 20 reef fish aggregate; the 20 reef fish aggregate is vermillion and lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, and tilefish. Additional restrictions for the 20 reef fish aggregate: No more than one gray triggerfish and 10 vermilion snapper per person per day within the aggregate bag limit. A recreational saltwater angler may possess a two-day limit on a charter vessel or headboat on a multi-day trip if the vessel/headboat has two licensed operators as required by the U.S. Coast Guard for trips more than 12 hours, and the angler has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel verifying the length of the trip.
Possession: 20 per person per day within the 20 reef fish aggregate; the 20 reef fish aggregate is vermillion and lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, and tilefish. Additional restrictions for the 20 reef fish aggregate: No more than one gray triggerfish and 10 vermilion snapper per person per day within the aggregate bag limit. A recreational saltwater angler may possess a two-day limit on a charter vessel or headboat on a multi-day trip if the vessel/headboat has two licensed operators as required by the U.S. Coast Guard for trips more than 12 hours, and the angler has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel verifying the length of the trip.
Season: Open year-round in state waters, or until the annual catch limit is projected to be met. Note that there are closed seasons for other reef fish species within the 20 reef fish aggregate—gray triggerfish is closed January 1 through the end of February and June 1 through July 31.

a.Non-stainless Steel Circle Hooks. Non-stainless steel circle hooks are required when fishing with natural baits for reef fish.
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.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule

Where: Statewide
Size limit: 8 inches total length
Season: Year-round

a.Non-stainless Steel Circle Hooks. Non-stainless steel circle hooks are required when fishing with natural baits for reef fish.
1.All persons who do not possess a permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service under the federal fishery management plan for the harvest of Gulf of America reef fish resources are limited to the recreational bag limit. To commercially harvest, sell, barter, trade or exchange or possess for commercial purposes all species of reef fish including dwarf sand perch and sand perch, but (excluding queen triggerfish, black seabass, porgies, and grunts) requires a valid federal reef fish vessel permit be on board the vessel and in the immediate possession.
LDWF Commercial Saltwater Finfish Seasons (https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/commercial-saltwater-finfish-seasons): Snapper — Year-round

Official source

Quick answers

What is the lane snapper size limit in Louisiana?

8 inches minimum total length.

How many lane snapper can I keep in Louisiana?

20 per person per day within the 20 reef fish aggregate; the 20 reef fish aggregate is vermillion and lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, and tilefish. Additional restrictions for the 20 reef fish aggregate: No more than one gray triggerfish and 10 vermilion snapper per person per day within the aggregate bag limit. A recreational saltwater angler may possess a two-day limit on a charter vessel or headboat on a multi-day trip if the vessel/headboat has two licensed operators as required by the U.S. Coast Guard for trips more than 12 hours, and the angler has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel verifying the length of the trip..

When is lane snapper season in Louisiana?

Open year-round in state waters, or until the annual catch limit is projected to be met. Note that there are closed seasons for other reef fish species within the 20 reef fish aggregate—gray triggerfish is closed January 1 through the end of February and June 1 through July 31.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

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More reef fish in Louisiana

All Louisiana saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Most anglers need a Louisiana saltwater license or registry: get one here.