Blue Catfish in Louisiana
blue catfish under the 2026 LDWF pamphlet.
- 100 a daylimit
- 114.00 lbrecord
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blue catfish by Louisiana numbers
The 2026 LDWF pamphlet files blue catfish under the freshwater row “Catfish (blue, channel and flathead)”. On paper that comes to 100 daily in the aggregate. an angler may possess up to 25 undersized catfish of the three species combined.; blue catfish: 12″ mll; channel catfish: 11″ mll; flathead catfish: 14″ mll, with open year-round as the season.
LOWA credits Lawson Boyte with the rod and reel record, 114.00 lb out of Mississippi River in 2014. Check Caddo Lake, Poverty Point Reservoir and Anacoco Lake first; 4 pages carry it. Exceptions apply on 1 water, for example Caddo Lake, Sabine River and Toledo Bend Reservoir.
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| Pamphlet row | Waters | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catfish (blue, channel and flathead) | All state waters EXCEPT Caddo Lake, Sabine River and Toledo Bend Reservoir | 100 daily in the aggregate. An angler may possess up to 25 undersized catfish of the three species combined.; Blue Catfish: 12" MLL; Channel Catfish: 11" MLL; Flathead Catfish: 14" MLL | Open year-round |
Possession: Twice the daily creel limit (pamphlet p.16: possession limit is twice the daily bag limit unless otherwise stated)
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026 Louisiana Recreational Fishing Regulations (LDWF pamphlet, updated September 21, 2026), page 20 (pamphlet PDF); confirmed on the LDWF freshwater finfish page October 28, 2026.
Special Louisiana waters for blue catfish
| Water | Where | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Caddo Lake, Sabine River and Toledo Bend Reservoir | Whole water | Blue & Channel Catfish: None; 50 daily in the aggregate; no more than five over 30" total length |
Rules as printed in the 2026 Louisiana Recreational Fishing Regulations (LDWF pamphlet, updated September 21, 2026), pages 18 to 21 (pamphlet PDF); second read on the LDWF freshwater page October 28, 2026.
LOWA record blue catfish
| Division | Method | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | Rod & Reel | 114.00 lb | Lawson Boyte | Mississippi River | March 2014 |
| freshwater | Fly Fishing | 23.25 lb | Robert Wells | not printed | Nov 1994 |
Runners-up behind the top blue catfish
- 110.19 lb, Keith DayMississippi River, April 2005
- 106.19 lb, John BiscoeMississippi River, June 2020
- 105.0 lb, Joseph WigginsMississippi River, BR, June 1997
- 98.0 lb, Arthur Pierre, Sr.Miss. River., August 1987
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.
Where blue catfish turn up in Louisiana
Impoundments listing blue catfish
- Caddo Lake26,800 acres
- Poverty Point Reservoir2,785 acres
- Anacoco Lake2,600 acres
Rivers worth a run for blue catfish
- Mississippi RiverPlaquemines Parish
LDWF popular-species text on management-plan lakes, LOWA record waters, LDWF stocking releases and Get Out & Fish! sites; biggest waters first.
Fish printed beside blue catfish in the pamphlet
- Channel Catfishfreshwater
- Flathead Catfishfreshwater
Lakes and bayous close to Blue Catfish, pictured
Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
Photo: (WT-de) Mistoffeles, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Finding blue catfish in Louisiana, answered
What is the Louisiana daily limit for blue catfish?
The 2026 row reads 100 daily in the aggregate. An angler may possess up to 25 undersized catfish of the three species combined.; Blue Catfish: 12" MLL; Channel Catfish: 11" MLL; Flathead Catfish: 14" MLL; season open year-round.
Is there a LOWA record for blue catfish?
The rod and reel record is 114.00 lb from Mississippi River in 2014, caught by Lawson Boyte.
Which Louisiana water pages mention blue catfish?
4 pages, beginning with Caddo Lake, Poverty Point Reservoir and Anacoco Lake.
Where has LDWF released blue catfish?
The stocking tables carry no row for it.
Do some Louisiana lakes carry their own blue catfish numbers?
LDWF lists 1 water, including Caddo Lake, Sabine River and Toledo Bend Reservoir.
When may I keep blue catfish in Louisiana?
LDWF gives Open year-round.
Which Louisiana license covers blue catfish?
Louisiana anglers 18 and older carry a Basic Fishing License: $17 a year for residents and $68 for nonresidents.
How is a blue catfish record certified in Louisiana?
LOWA certifies records after an LDWF biologist examines the fish.
Plan a trip for blue catfish
Open a water above for its launches and rules.