Sailfish in Louisiana
Louisiana sailfish: what may be kept and where to look.
- No Bag or Posseslimit
- 96.0 lbrecord
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Louisiana sailfish: limit, record, water
Louisiana rules for sailfish sit in the saltwater table, on the line headed “Sailfish”. That row allows no bag or possession limit; 63″ min lower jaw fork length, with the season given as open year-round in state waters.
The heaviest rod and reel entry is 96.0 lb, a water not printed, 1953, angler John Lauricella.
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| Pamphlet row | Waters | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sailfish | Louisiana state waters | No Bag or Possession Limit; 63" min lower jaw fork 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 sailfish on the Louisiana list
| Division | Method | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| saltwater | Rod & Reel | 96.0 lb | John Lauricella | not printed | October. 1953 |
More sailfish in the top ten
- 90.50 lb, R. Wikenhauser, June 1979
- 85.75 lb, Cheyenne Williams, June 1981
- 85.0 lb, Arnold A. Domin, July 1965
- 84.25 lb, Grant Rodriguez, Jr., May 1975
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.
Bringing sailfish back to the dock
Possessing it takes the no-fee Recreational Offshore Landing Permit as well as Basic and Saltwater licenses.
Paying charter customers fall under the captain's Charter ROLP.
LDWF license and permit list in the 2026 Louisiana Recreational Fishing Regulations (LDWF pamphlet, updated September 21, 2026); read October 28, 2026.
A photo walk along water near Sailfish
Photo: George Bannister, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: abbeyprivate, Public domain
Louisiana sailfish: the questions anglers ask
How many sailfish may I keep in Louisiana?
LDWF prints No Bag or Possession Limit; 63" min lower jaw fork length, season open year-round in state waters.
How big is the Louisiana record sailfish?
96.0 lb, a water not printed, 1953, by John Lauricella (rod and reel).
Which Louisiana pages point to sailfish?
None of the lake, bayou or coast pages include it so far.
Are sailfish part of the LDWF hatchery work?
No LDWF stocking row names it.
Which waters change the sailfish rule?
LDWF gives it no rule tied to one water.
Does Louisiana close the sailfish season?
Season as printed: Open year-round in state waters.
Which LDWF license lets me fish for sailfish?
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. A free ROLP is needed as well.
Who checks a new Louisiana sailfish record?
The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association keeps the list; an LDWF biologist confirms the species.
Find sailfish a short drive away
The pages above list launches and limits.