Swordfish Regulations in Louisiana (2026)

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

Size limit

47 inches Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) or 25 inches Cleithrum to…

Bag limit

Recreational fishing vessels shall not possess more than one…

Season

Open year-round in state waters

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Recreational Swordfish rules in Louisiana

Where: Statewide
Size limit: 47 inches Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) or 25 inches Cleithrum to Caudal Keel (CK).
Bag limit: Recreational fishing vessels shall not possess more than one swordfish per person with a maximum of four swordfish per vessel per trip, whichever is less. Charter vessels may not possess more than one swordfish per paying passenger with a maximum of up to six per vessel per trip, whichever is less. Headboat vessels may not possess more than one swordfish per paying passenger with a maximum of up to fifteen per vessel per trip, whichever is less. Swordfish taken under a recreational bag limit shall not be sold, purchased, exchanged, bartered, or attempted to be sold, purchased, exchanged, or bartered.
Possession: Recreational fishing vessels shall not possess more than one swordfish per person with a maximum of four swordfish per vessel per trip, whichever is less. Charter vessels may not possess more than one swordfish per paying passenger with a maximum of up to six per vessel per trip, whichever is less. Headboat vessels may not possess more than one swordfish per paying passenger with a maximum of up to fifteen per vessel per trip, whichever is less. Swordfish taken under a recreational bag limit shall not be sold, purchased, exchanged, bartered, or attempted to be sold, purchased, exchanged, or bartered.
Season: Open year-round in state waters

You must report all recreational landings of swordfish to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours of landing at the dock. 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.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule

Where: Statewide
Size limit: 47 inches Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) or 25 inches Cleithrum to Caudal Keel (CK).
Season: Year-round

a.The owner of a vessel of the United States or a vessel that fishes for or possesses swordfish, or takes swordfish as incidental catch, regardless of whether retained, must possess a valid commercial permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service under the Federal Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Swordfish. This permit must be aboard the vessel and available for inspection by agents of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division. The captain of the vessel is also responsible to ensure the validity and possession of the permit aboard the vessel before retaining, possessing, selling or attempting to sell swordfish.
F.All persons fishing for swordfish, or persons receiving any swordfish from fishermen, who do not possess a permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service under the Federal Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Swordfish shall not sell, barter, trade, exchange or attempt to sell, barter, trade or exchange any swordfish, or possess any swordfish in excess of a recreational creel limit.
I.Seasonal Closures. The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hereby authorized to close any recreational or commercial fishery for marlins or swordfish, within and without Louisiana's territorial waters, when the secretary is notified by the National Marine Fisheries Service that the seasonal quota for that species and fishery has been met. The closure order shall close the fishery until the date projected for the reopening of that fishery in the adjacent federal waters. The secretary is also hereby authorized to modify any such closure order to maintain consistency with reopening dates in the adjacent federal waters, should the federal closure dates be modified.
LDWF Commercial Saltwater Finfish Seasons (https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/commercial-saltwater-finfish-seasons): Swordfish — Year-round

Official source

Quick answers

What is the swordfish size limit in Louisiana?

47 inches Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) or 25 inches Cleithrum to Caudal Keel (CK)..

How many swordfish can I keep in Louisiana?

Recreational fishing vessels shall not possess more than one swordfish per person with a maximum of four swordfish per vessel per trip, whichever is less. Charter vessels may not possess more than one swordfish per paying passenger with a maximum of up to six per vessel per trip, whichever is less. Headboat vessels may not possess more than one swordfish per paying passenger with a maximum of up to fifteen per vessel per trip, whichever is less. Swordfish taken under a recreational bag limit shall not be sold, purchased, exchanged, bartered, or attempted to be sold, purchased, exchanged, or bartered..

When is swordfish 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 Swordfish limits in other states →

More offshore & pelagic 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.