Louisiana ends amberjack season for recreational fishermen

Greater amberjack season will close in Louisiana waters overnight for recreational fishermen after anglers caught over 335,000 pounds in 43 days. 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issued an emergency declaration to close the amberjack season for recreational fishers at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determined that the annual amount of fish allowed to be harvested, just over 167 tons of fish, had been met in federal waters. 

State Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Tyler Bosworth issued the declaration to close recreational fishing of amberjack in state waters to stay compatible with federal seasons, which helps state and federal officials maintain consistent rules and efficient enforcement to protect against overfishing.

Recreational fishers were limited to taking home one fish per person per day during amberjack season. Limits are put in place on the number of fish allowed to be taken by fishers to prevent long-term overfishing and decline of species like amberjack, which are currently considered an overfished population in the Gulf of Mexico. 

The 2026 recreational amberjack season started Sept. 1 and ran the full length of its projected 43 days. 

Commercial amberjack season typically spans from Jan. 1 through May 31 or until the total weight limit is met, which this year didn’t occur until Aug. 8.