Black Drum in Louisiana
Louisiana black drum: what may be kept and where to look.
- 5 a daylimit
- 79.50 lbrecord
Pick for black drumPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto of the species, not a Louisiana water: Attackgirl (talk) (Uploads), Public domain
Louisiana black drum: limit, record, water
Louisiana rules for black drum sit in the saltwater table, on the line headed “Black drum”. That row allows 5 daily per person – bag and possession; no more than one over 27″ max total length; 16″ min total length; 27″ max total length, with the season given as open year-round in state waters.
The heaviest rod and reel entry is 79.50 lb, Oak Bayou, 2007, angler Dylan Gonzales.
For the black drum herePiscifun NautiX saltwater spinning reel14% OFFSale $94.99 The 2026 line covering black drum
| Pamphlet row | Waters | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black drum | Louisiana state waters | 5 daily per person – bag and possession; no more than one over 27" max total length; 16" min total length; 27" max total length | Open year-round in state waters |
Possession: Same as daily bag limit unless otherwise noted (pamphlet p.28)
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026 Louisiana Recreational Fishing Regulations (LDWF pamphlet, updated September 21, 2026), page 28 (pamphlet PDF); confirmed on the LDWF saltwater finfish page October 28, 2026.
The heaviest black drum on the Louisiana list
| Division | Method | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| saltwater | Rod & Reel | 79.50 lb | Dylan Gonzales | Oak Bayou | May 2007 |
| saltwater | Fly Fishing | 54.55 lb | Tom Stevenson | Hopedale, LA | Feb. 2006 |
More black drum in the top ten
- 77.0 lb, Timmy Darcey, April 1975
- 68.0 lb, Charles Bienvenu, June 1983
- 66.0 lb, Elie PellegrinRed Fish Bayou, August 1996
- 63.50 lb, Carroll Domangue, Jr.Bayou Sale, March 1998
Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association (LOWA), LOWA "Louisiana State Fish Records Official Copy", records current through the record awarded September 25, 2026 (PDF created 2026-09-25); read October 28, 2026.
Louisiana neighbours of black drum on the list
- Freshwater Drumfreshwater
- Red Drumsaltwater
A photo walk along water near Black Drum
Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Willam Blackwell, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Timothy Holdiness, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Louisiana black drum: the questions anglers ask
How many black drum may I keep in Louisiana?
LDWF prints 5 daily per person – bag and possession; no more than one over 27" max total length; 16" min total length; 27" max total length, season open year-round in state waters.
How big is the Louisiana record black drum?
79.50 lb, Oak Bayou, 2007, by Dylan Gonzales (rod and reel).
Which Louisiana pages point to black drum?
None of the lake, bayou or coast pages include it so far.
Are black drum part of the LDWF hatchery work?
No LDWF stocking row names it.
Which waters change the black drum rule?
LDWF gives it no rule tied to one water.
Does Louisiana close the black drum season?
Season as printed: Open year-round in state waters.
Which LDWF license lets me fish for black drum?
South of the LDWF saltwater line an angler 18 or older carries a Basic Fishing License plus a Saltwater License: $17 and $15 for residents, $68 and $60 for nonresidents.
Who checks a new Louisiana black drum record?
The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association keeps the list; an LDWF biologist confirms the species.
Find black drum a short drive away
The pages above list launches and limits.