Can I Keep?Red drum Regulations in Louisiana (2026)
Recreational red drum rules in Louisiana saltwater, as published by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Size limit
18 inches minimum total length; 27 inches maximum total length
Bag limit
Four per person per day; None over 27-inch maximum total length
Season
Open year-round in state waters
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Red drum rules in Louisiana
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 18 inches minimum total length; 27 inches maximum total length
- Bag limit
- Four per person per day; None over 27-inch maximum total length
- Possession
- Four per person per day; None over 27-inch maximum total length
- Season
- Open year-round in state waters
- The retention of Red Drum by captain and crew on charter or headboats while on a for-hire trip is prohibited. Recreational saltwater anglers may possess a two-day bag limit of Red Drum on land; however, no person may possess more than the daily bag limit of red drum in any one day or while fishing or while on the water, unless that recreational saltwater angler is aboard a trawler engaged in commercial fishing for a consecutive period longer than 25 hours. Take or possession of Red Drum in federal waters is prohibited
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Bag limit
- You may not commercially harvest the following gamefish: Red drum
- You may only purchase or sell the gamefish listed above if you import them.
Quick answers
What is the red drum size limit in Louisiana?
18 inches minimum total length; 27 inches maximum total length.
How many red drum can I keep in Louisiana?
Four per person per day; None over 27-inch maximum total length.
When is red drum season in Louisiana?
Open year-round in state waters. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Red drum limits in other states →
More inshore 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.