Yellowfin Tuna in Louisiana
Where yellowfin tuna live in Louisiana, with the rules.
- 3 a daylimit
- 272.25 lbrecord
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A Louisiana card for yellowfin tuna
For 2026 the Louisiana saltwater table names yellowfin tuna in the row “Yellowfin tuna”. Read it as 3 daily per person; 27″ min curved fork length, open open year-round in state waters.
In 2026 Cole Apeldorn set the rod and reel record with 272.25 lb from Gulf of America.
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| Pamphlet row | Waters | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowfin tuna | Louisiana state waters | 3 daily per person; 27" min curved 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 29 (pamphlet PDF); confirmed on the LDWF saltwater finfish page October 28, 2026.
The biggest Louisiana yellowfin tuna on file
| Division | Method | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| saltwater | Rod & Reel | 272.25 lb | Cole Apeldorn | Gulf of America | February 2026 |
| saltwater | Fly Fishing | 74.0 lb | Richard I. Evans | Midnight Lump | Feb. 2000 |
Next on the yellowfin tuna list
- 256.12 lb, Jeff TomaloffGulf of America, January 2026
- 251.0 lb, Elliot SaleW. Delta Blk. 122, October. 2012
- 246.40 lb, Robert KilroyMain Pass 306, February 2022
- 240.19 lb, Anthony TaorminaMidnight Lump, March 2005
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.
What a boat needs to keep yellowfin tuna
The ROLP, which costs nothing, is required before it may be possessed.
Customers of a licensed charter use 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.
Kin of yellowfin tuna in the LDWF tables
- Bluefin Tunasaltwater
- Bigeye Tunasaltwater
What the bayous and lakes near Yellowfin Tuna look like
Photo: pedrik, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tcr25, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Russ, CC BY 2.0
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Quick Louisiana answers on yellowfin tuna
What does LDWF allow for yellowfin tuna each day?
Bag and size: 3 daily per person; 27" min curved fork length. Season: open year-round in state waters.
When was the Louisiana yellowfin tuna record set?
LOWA lists 272.25 lb, Gulf of America, 2026, Cole Apeldorn (rod and reel).
What Louisiana water is a good bet for yellowfin tuna?
None of the water pages name it so far.
Do Louisiana hatcheries raise yellowfin tuna?
No hatchery release of it is on file.
Where is the yellowfin tuna limit different in Louisiana?
None of the exceptions mention it.
Is yellowfin tuna open all year in Louisiana?
The row prints Open year-round in state waters.
Is a basic license enough for yellowfin tuna?
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. Possession needs the free ROLP on top.
Where do I send a Louisiana yellowfin tuna record?
Send it to the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association, which uses LDWF biologists to confirm species.
Pick Louisiana water for yellowfin tuna
Each water above has launches and limits on its own page.