Updated: February 2024
The following are the current freshwater and saltwater fishing records in Louisiana, including rod and reel and fly fishing categories for each type of water.
The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association keeps track of both freshwater and saltwater records in the state. For multiple past records for many species, check the source links below each table to get to the association’s complete records. They also honor an angler for catching the most noteworthy fish of the year.
If you think you’ve caught a record-breaking, check the resources at the bottom of this page to stake your claim to a piece of Louisiana fishing history.
Freshwater Rod & Reel
| Bass, Hybrid Striped 16.25 lbs | Lake Pontchartrain | William D. Hungerford February 2000 |
| Bass, Hybrid Yellow 3.19 lbs | Sabine River | Jerry Thompson March 2019 |
| Bass, Largemouth 15.97 lbs | Caney Lake | Greg Wiggins Feb 1994 |
| Bass, Spotted 4.88 lbs | Tickfaw River | Vernon Johnson, Jr. August 1976 |
| Bass, Striped 47.50 lbs | Toledo Bend | James L. Taylor August 1991 |
| Bass, White 6.81 lbs | Amite River | Corey Crochet August 2010 |
| Bass, Yellow 2.67 lbs | Lake D’Arbonne | Eddie Halbrook January 2014 |
| Bluegill 1.83 lbs | Iatt Lake | Timothy Delaney May 2016 |
| Bowfin 20.50 lbs | Toledo Bend | Brian Fant April 1976 |
| Buffalo, Bigmouth 70.31 lbs | Bussy Brake | Delbert Sisk April 1980 |
| Buffalo, Smallmouth 45.00 lbs | Toledo Bend | Glenn Curtis November 2019 |
| Carp, Common 35.0 lbs | Bussy Brake | James D. Rodgers, Jr. April 1981 |
| Catfish, Blue 114.0 lbs | Mississippi River | Lawson Boyte March 2014 |
| Catfish, Black Bullhead | No Record Listed | |
| Catfish, Brown Bullhead | No Record Listed | |
| Catfish, Channel 30.31 lbs | Minor’s Can./Intracoastal | Harold W. Clubb August 1977 |
| Catfish, Flathead 95.0 lbs | Wax Lake | Roland Lasseigne July 2007 |
| Catfish, Yellow Bullhead | No Record Listed | |
| Crappie, Black 3.84 lbs | Poverty Point Reservoir | Randy K. Causey April 2010 |
| Crappie, White 3.80 lbs | Lake Verret | Tim Ricca May 2010 |
| Drum, Freshwater 28.44 lbs | Bayou Macon Lake | Paul R. Heideman March 2011 |
| Flier 0.35 lbs | Lake Boeuf | Joseph J. McGoey IV August 2020 |
| Gar, Alligator 179.0 lbs | Red River | Jimmy L. Thompson May 1997 |
| Gar, Longnose 31.48 lbs | Bayou Bartholomew Lake | Jacob “Jake” Ormand July 2023 |
| Pickerel, Chain 5.75 lbs | Kincaid Lake | Chris H. Marien May 1977 |
| Pickerel, Redfin | No Record Listed | |
| Sauger 1.66 lbs | Thompson Creek/Miss | Kyle Allgood June 1999 |
| Sunfish, Redear 2.87 lbs | Caney Lake | Jerry Smelly August 1998 |
| Warmouth, Goggle-eye 2.13 lbs | Atchafalaya River | Frank E. Dean, Jr. July 1987 |
Saltwater Rod & Reel
| Amberjack, Greater 140.0 lbs | Horseshoe Lump | Chris Legrand January 2017 |
| Atlantic Creolefish 1.54 lbs | Gulf of Mexico | Charles Moulton June 2023 |
| Barracuda, Great 50.0 lbs | Location N/A | A.C. Mills August 1970 |
| Bass, Longtail 3.68 lbs | Gulf of Mexico | Phillip LeBlanc August 2023 |
| Bigeye 2.38 lbs | South Pass | Traci Birdsong Eifert July 2022 |
| Blackjack 21.31 lbs | Location N/A | Wayne McElveen July 1982 |
| Bluefish 21.88 lbs | Location N/A | Steve Van Every July 1982 |
| Brotula, Bearded 20.0 lbs | S. Pass Blk | Bernhard Christensen February 2010 |
| Catfish, Gafftopsail 11.06 lbs | Red Fish Bayou | Elie Pellegrin October 1996 |
| Chub, Bermuda 8.06 lbs | S Timbalier 308 | Jimmie Boothe June 2013 |
| Cobia 149.75 lbs | Grand Isle Blk.69 | Garnett “Lucky” Caudell May 1965 |
| Creole Fish 1.40 lbs | West Delta 143 | Quinton Richard March 2019 |
| Croaker, Atlantic 8.0 lbs | S. Timbalier Blk. 130 | Douglas J. Bernard August 1972 |
| Dolphin 71.25 lbs | Location N/A | Robert Prest, IV June 1976 |
| Drum, Black 79.50 lbs | Oak Bayou | Dylan Gonzales May 2007 |
| Drum, Blackbar 1.10 lbs | Ewing Bank | Wesley Babin June 2021 |
| Flounder, Southern 13.06 lbs | W. of South Pass | Gary Hargis June 1998 |
| Grouper, Black 106.20 lbs | South Timbalier 300 | Bradley Cole Thurman September 2020 |
| Grouper, Gag 74.43 lbs | Venice, La | Abel Ceja July 2013 |
| Grouper, Marbled 30.60 lbs | Ship Shoal Blks. | William “Ricky” Ruffin February 2008 |
| Grouper, Misty 17.00 lbs | Gulf of Mexico | Anna Griffith April 2014 |
| Grouper, Red 21.40 lbs | Venice | Steve Jackson Aug 2022 |
| Grouper, Snowy 60.00 lbs | South Pass | Justin Ward March 2014 |
| Grouper, Warsaw 383.13 lbs | Garden Banks | J J Tabor July 2017 |
| Grouper, Yellowedge 42.95 lbs | Gulf of Mexico | Sue Beiriger July 2022 |
| Grouper, Yellowfin 42.0 lbs | Vermilion Blk. 412 | Jim Becqeut July 2002 |
| Grouper, Yellowmouth 23.0 lbs | Mississippi Canyon | Ed Fike August 2002 |
| Hind, Red 6.50 lbs | Garden Banks | Thomas Stevens August 2021 |
| Hind, Rock 8.74 lbs | Vermilion Blk. 200 | Prentiss Perkins May 2001 |
| Hind, Speckled 32.0 lbs | S. Pass Blk. | Blake Matherne January 2010 |
| Jack, Almaco 50.62 lbs | South Pass Blk. 62 | Joe Hanson, II July 2005 |
| Jack, Crevalle 57.88 lbs | SW Pass | Leon D. Richard August 1997 |
| Jack, Horse-eye 27.50 lbs | Ship Shoal Blk. 291 | Rayburn Smith August 2004 |
| Kingfish, Gulf 2.18 lbs | Grand Isle Surf | Sidney M. Robert Jr August 2021 |
| Kingfish, Southern 0.51 lbs. | Grand Isle Surf | Pamela S. Keller August 2018 |
| Ladyfish 4.82 lbs | South Pass | Royden J. Lynch Jr. September 2015 |
| Mackerel, King 82.0 lbs | Location N/A | W.D. Lamb September 1980 |
| Mackerel, Spanish 10.56 lbs | Location N/A | Mike LeBlanc August 1972 |
| Marlin, Blue 1018.50 lbs | Location N/A | Linda Koerner July 1977 |
| Marlin, White 134.0 lbs | Location N/A | Dennis L. Good July 1976 |
| Permit 5.00 lbs | Gulf of Mexico | Jordan Folse June 2020 |
| Pinfish 1.33 lbs | Gulf of Mexico | Ray Huntz June 2023 |
| Pompano, African 40.60 lbs | S. Timbalier Blk. 139 | Michael Phillips June 2003 |
| Pompano, Florida 8.50 lbs | Location N/A | Buddy Pons September 1969 |
| Porgy, Knobbed 4.73 lbs | Green Canyon | Dr Richard Clement February 2021 |
| Redfish 61.0 lbs | Location N/A | David Weber June 1992 |
| Runner, Blue 7.91 lbs | S Timbalier 150 | Mike James Kreller II June 2018 |
| Runner, Rainbow 26.0 lbs | Devil’s Tower Platform | Bryce Cook April 2008 |
| Sailfish 96.0 lbs | Location N/A | John Lauricella October 1953 |
| Scamp 33.75 lbs | 30 m. S of S. Pass | Keith Gulino June 2003 |
| Shark, Blacktip | No Record Listed | |
| Shark, Mako 1,149.50 lbs | 70m S. of Fourchon, La. | Bill Walters February 2009 |
| Shark, Spinner 162.0 lbs | Midnight Lumps | Dr. Nat Mercante April 1999 |
| Sheepshead 21.25 lbs | Location N/A | Wayne J. Desselle April 1982 |
| Snapper, Blackfin (tie) 8.80 lbs | Flower Gardens | Charles J. Andre Jr. May 2023 |
| Snapper, Blackfin (tie) 8.80 lbs | Garden Banks | Andrew Godley July 2023 |
| Snapper, Cubera 124.50 lbs | Garden Banks | Marion Rose June 2007 |
| Snapper, Dog 25.80 lbs | Gulf of Mexico | Ella Douglas October 2021 |
| Snapper, Gray 18.63 lbs | Ship Shoal | Tim Champagne July 2015 |
| Snapper, Lane 12.08 lbs | Ship Shoal Blks. | Chad Polk August 2009 |
| Snapper, Mutton 22.31 lbs | Green Canyon | Michael Clement April 2019 |
| Snapper, Queen 17.88 lbs | Green Canyon | Ryan Smith May 2023 |
| Snapper, Red 50.25 lbs | S. Timbalier Blk. 185 | Capt. “Doc” Kennedy June 1996 |
| Snapper, Silk 7.16 lbs | East Lump | George H. Wilhoit September 2022 |
| Snapper, Vermillion 6.19 lbs | South of Grand Isle | Douglas Fussell June 1999 |
| Snapper, Yellowtail 10.20 lbs | Eugene Is. Blk. 295 | Michael J. Ledet August 2001 |
| Spadefish, Atlantic 10.31 lbs | Location N/A | Chad L. Vallee August 1989 |
| Spearfish, Longbill 78.0 lbs | Location N/A | Larry Bulot July 1964 |
| Spot | No Record Listed | |
| Stingray, Southern 192.25 lbs | Calliou Boca | John Acosta June 2018 |
| Swordfish, Broadbill 310.00 lbs | Mississippi Canyon | Thomas Dantin July 1980 |
| Tarpon 246.63 | W. Delta Blk. | David Prevost October 2015 |
| Triggerfish, Gray 13.35 lbs | Green Canyon | Ricky Clement May 2022 |
| Tripletail 39.50 lbs | Location N/A | Mrs. Jimmy Toups July 1959 |
| Trout, Speckled 12.38 lbs | Lake Hermitage | Leon Mattes April 1950 |
| Trout, White 11.0 lbs | Location N/A | Donald M. Marion September 1973 |
| Tuna, Big-eye 213.50 lbs | Mississippi Canyon | Brian Neil September 2018 |
| Tuna, Blackfin 41.00 lbs | SP-62 | David Loewen January 2017 |
| Tuna, Bluefin 1,152.0 lbs | 30 m S of South Pass | Ron Roland May 2003 |
| Tuna, Skipjack 31.19 lbs | Green Canyon Blks. | Terry Hunter July 2007 |
| Tuna, Yellowfin 251.0 lbs | W. Delta Blk. 122 | Elliot Sale October 2012 |
| Tunny, Little 16.20 lbs | S Timbalier Blk 49 | John Waggenspack May 2019 |
| Wahoo 139.25 lbs | W. Delta Blk. 153 | Myron J. Fischer April 1976 |
Freshwater Fly Fishing
| Bass, Largemouth 8.75 lbs | Location N/A | Vernon H. Sonnier March 1979 |
| Bass, Spotted 2.34 lbs | Comite River | Blake Leblanc August 2009 |
| Bass, Hybrid Striped 6.71 lbs | Lake Concordia | Gary W. Peterson April 2015 |
| Bass, White 3.98 lbs | Pearl River | Charles Miller December 2018 |
| Bluegill 1.64 lbs | Kincaid Lake | Tony Boatwright October 1999 |
| Bowfin 6.66 lbs | Cameron Prairie WMA | Dustin Semar September 2018 |
| Buffalo, Bigmouth 4.29 lbs | Fountain Bayou | Jay Boe June 2001 |
| Buffalo, Smallmouth 12.06 lbs | Location N/A | Robert Wells September 1994 |
| Catfish, Blue 23.25 lbs | Location N/A | Robert Wells November 1994 |
| Catfish, Flathead | No Record Listed | |
| Crappie, Black 2.23 lbs | Kincaid Lake | Tony Boatwright February 2000 |
| Crappie, White 1.84 lbs | Poverty Point | Gary Peterson March 2019 |
| Drum, Freshwater 6.67 lbs | Location N/A | Robert G. Cormier April 1994 |
| Gar, Alligator 46.04 lbs | Fifi Island G.I. | Victor Tedesco July 2015 |
| Gar, Spotted 6.18 lbs | Pontchatolawa Bayou | Charlie August July 2002 |
| Pickerel, Chain 1.64 lbs | Cocodrie Lake | Jim E. Johnson October 2019 |
| Pickerel, Redfin | No Record Listed | |
| Sunfish, Redear 1.0 lbs | Kincaid Lake | John Pitre June 2022 |
Saltwater Fly Fishing
| Amberjack, Greater 43.13 lbs | South Timbalier Blks. | Tony Fontenot April 2004 |
| Barracuda, Great 18.38 lbs | Green Canyon Blk. 184 | Harry Hebert July 2003 |
| Blackjack 0.84 lbs | Location N/A | Donald Douglas June 1995 |
| Bluefish 3.60 lbs | Southwest Pass/Venice | Chip Metz, M.D. November 2000 |
| Catfish, Gafftopsail 6.24 lbs | Grand Isle, LA | Victor E. Tedesco, III, M.D. May 2013 |
| Chub, Bermuda 4.31 lbs | Mississippi Canyon | Theda Little June 2001 |
| Cobia 57.50 lbs | W. Delta Blk. 40 | Rob Blaine July 2000 |
| Crevalle, Jack 30.56 lbs | Port Fourchon, LA | Theda Little April 2002 |
| Dolphin 29.37 lbs | Location N/A | Victor Tedesco, III, M.D. May 1993 |
| Drum, Black 54.55 lbs | Hopedale, LA | Tom Stevenson February 2006 |
| Flounder, Southern 7.21 lbs | Location N/A | Dr. James J. LaNasa December 1994 |
| Kingfish, Southern 1.13 lbs | Grand Isle – 4 Bayous | Victor Tedesco, III, M.D. April 2002 |
| Ladyfish 3.50 lbs | Southwest Pass | David Coignet September 2002 |
| Mackerel, King 36.0 lbs | Southwest Pass | Pete Cooper, Jr. December 1995 |
| Mackerel, Spanish 7.40 lbs | Southwest Pass/Venice | David L. Coignet October 2000 |
| Pompano, Florida 3.01 lbs | Breton Sound | Nicholas Vlahos October 2021 |
| Redfish 41.62 lbs | Hopedale, LA | Conway X. Bowman January 2004 |
| Runner, Blue 2.0 lbs | Mississippi Canyon | Jack R. Little June 2001 |
| Runner, Rainbow 9.67 lbs | Mars Platform | Susan K. Gros July 1999 |
| Shark, Blacktip 11.88 lbs | Grand Isle | David L. Coignet August 2000 |
| Sheepshead 9.66 lbs | MRGO | Michael Lee Clark January 2017 |
| Snapper, Grey 9.59 lbs | Ship Shoal Rigs | Jeffrey D. Pierce May 2004 |
| Snapper, Red 22.0 lbs | Ship Shoal Blk. 204 | Susan Gros May 2004 |
| Spadefish 5.50 lbs | Location N/A | Scott Henry July 1994 |
| Tarpon 130.0 lbs | S.W. Pass | Robert T. Cunningham, Jr. August 2003 |
| Trout, Speckled 9.31 lbs | Calcasieu Lake | Capt. Jeff Poe September 1996 |
| Trout, White 0.58 lbs | Grand Isle | Stuart Breaux October 2009 |
| Tripletail 21.48 lbs | Lake Borgne | Stephen Armstrong August 2011 |
| Tuna, Blackfin 27.0 lbs | Midnight Lump | Scott Harness March 1999 |
| Tuna, Yellowfin 74.0 lbs | Midnight Lump | Richard I. Evans February 2000 |
| Tunny, Little 16.90 lbs | West Cameron Blk. | Kevin Natali June 2004 |
| Wahoo 1.95 lbs | Gulf of Mexico MC 243 | Roger Del Rio November 2003 |
Setting a Louisiana Fishing Record
If you think you’ve landed a record-worthy fish in Louisiana (either freshwater or saltwater), be sure to check out the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association’s Fish & Hunting Records page. You can download the application from there.