Yellowtail snapper Regulations in Louisiana (2026)

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

Size limit

12 inches minimum total length

Bag limit

10 per person

Season

Open year-round in state waters

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Yellowtail snapper rules in Louisiana

Where: Statewide
Size limit: 12 inches minimum total length
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.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule

Where: Statewide
Size limit: 12 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 yellowtail snapper size limit in Louisiana?

12 inches minimum total length.

How many yellowtail 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 yellowtail 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

All Louisiana saltwater fishing regulations →

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