Silk snapper Regulations in Louisiana (2026)
Recreational silk snapper rules in Louisiana saltwater, as published by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Last checked November 7, 2026.
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Recreational Silk snapper rules in Louisiana
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- None
- Bag limit
- 10 per person per day within the 10 snapper aggregate; the 10 snapper aggregate is all snappers (gray, mutton, yellowtail, cubera, queen, blackfin, silk, and wenchman) except red, vermilion, and lane snapper. Additional restrictions for the 10 snapper aggregate: No more than five mutton 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
- 10 per person per day within the 10 snapper aggregate; the 10 snapper aggregate is all snappers (gray, mutton, yellowtail, cubera, queen, blackfin, silk, and wenchman) except red, vermilion, and lane snapper. Additional restrictions for the 10 snapper aggregate: No more than five mutton 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
- 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.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- 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
Quick answers
What is the silk snapper size limit in Louisiana?
None.
How many silk snapper can I keep in Louisiana?
10 per person per day within the 10 snapper aggregate; the 10 snapper aggregate is all snappers (gray, mutton, yellowtail, cubera, queen, blackfin, silk, and wenchman) except red, vermilion, and lane snapper. Additional restrictions for the 10 snapper aggregate: No more than five mutton 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 silk snapper 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.
More reef fish in Louisiana
- Almaco jack
- Anchor tilefish
- Banded rudderfish
- Black grouper
- Black seabass
- Blackfin snapper
- Blackline tilefish
- Blueline tilefish
- Cubera snapper
- Gag grouper
- Goldface tilefish
- Goliath grouper
- Gray snapper
- Gray triggerfish
- Greater amberjack
- Hogfish
- Lane snapper
- Lesser amberjack
All Louisiana saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Most anglers need a Louisiana saltwater license or registry: get one here.