Louisiana · Western Gulf
Louisiana saltwater fishing forecast
12 bay systems and 630 named spots on the Louisiana Gulf coast, with 17 NOAA tide stations. Right now the top-scoring bay system is Calcasieu Lake at 78 for Red drum.
In peak season this week: Red drum, Southern flounder and Spotted seatrout.
- Bay systems
- 12
- Named spots
- 630
- Tide stations
- 17
- Species guides
- 15
Bay systems right now · 12
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 9:03 PM CDT. Best window is the rest of today.
GMZ436 · 30 named spots
Top now: Southern flounder · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 76)
GMZ531 · 5 named spots
Top now: Spotted seatrout · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 74)
GMZ435 · 15 named spots
Top now: Southern flounder · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 75)
GMZ533 · 9 named spots
Top now: Southern flounder · Best window 9-10 PM (peak 69)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a Louisiana bay system this hour.
- 77Great
- 77Great
- Southern flounder76Great
Best in Atchafalaya and East Cote Blanche Bays · scored in 12 bay systems
Peak season - 72Great
- 70Great
- 67Great
- 66Great
- 64Good
- 64Good
- 64Good
Species guides · 15
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in Louisiana waters.
- Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshorePeak season, about 4 more weekspeak
- Southern flounderParalichthys lethostigma · bottomPeak season, about 4 more weekspeak
- Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshorePeak season, about 4 more weekspeak
- Black drumPogonias cromis · inshoreShoulder season, about 13 more weeksshoulder
- Gray triggerfishBalistes capriscus · offshoreShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- Greater amberjackSeriola dumerili · offshoreShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- Red snapperLutjanus campechanus · offshoreShoulder season, about 25 more weeksshoulder
- SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshoreShoulder season, about 13 more weeksshoulder
- Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshoreOff season, about 17 more weeksoff
- Atlantic tarponMegalops atlanticus · inshoreOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- Crevalle jackCaranx hippos · nearshoreOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- Gray snapperLutjanus griseus · nearshoreOff season, about 25 more weeksoff
- King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagicOff season, about 21 more weeksoff
- Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshoreOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshore
Regulations and licenses
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Not synced yet, last verified Sep 13, 2026.
Anglers 18 and older need a Basic Fishing License, plus a Saltwater License when fishing south of the saltwater line for saltwater species. Private anglers need a free Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) to possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, cobia, wahoo and dolphinfish. LDWF links to louisianaoutdoors.com for online license sales.
No reviewed rules are on file for Louisiana yet. Check the regulator's page before you keep a fish.