Louisiana Fish Species

Red Drum (Redfish)

The red drum, also known as redfish, has a copper-bronze body that fades to a lighter belly. These fish have one or more dark, ocellated spots at the base of their tail, but can occasionally be found without a spot. Redfish can grow up to 61 inches.

Other Fun Facts:

• Redfish lack barbels on their lower jaw.
• These fish have powerful pharyngeal teeth, which they use to crush shellfish.
• They have large scales.

Redfish live in coastal waters. During the winter, they can be found over muddy or sandy bottoms, seagrass, or near spring-fed creeks and oyster bars.

Juvenile redfish are an inshore species until reaching about 30 inches at four years old. They then migrate to nearshore populations.

Cobia

The cobia, also known as ling or lemonfish, is long and slim with a broad, depressed head. They have a brown body that fades to a whitish belly, and a dark lateral stripe extending from eye to tail. Cobia can grow up to 6 feet and weigh up to 150 pounds. However, they are most commonly found, ranging from 10 to 50 pounds.

Other Fun Facts:

• Young cobia have alternating black and white horizontal stripes.
• Their lower jaw projects past their upper jaw.

Cobia can be found in nearshore and inshore waters with bays and inlets. This species tends to hang out around pilings, wrecks, and buoys in these areas.

King Mackerel

King Mackerel have a bluish-green back which fades to silvery sides and belly, and their front dorsal fin lacks a dark blotch. A lateral line drops sharply below the King Mackerel’s dorsal fin, and juveniles may have yellowish spots, similar to those of Spanish Mackerel. This fish species can grow up to 72 inches.

King Mackerel make their homes in coastal to offshore waters and can often be found around piers. They also may occasionally be found in deep water.

Blue Marlin

Blue Marlins have a blue-black back, which fades to a silvery-white belly. The tips of their dorsal, pectoral, and anal fins are pointed, and they lack black spots on their dorsal fin. This species has an upper jaw that elongates into a spear shape and has scales with 1 or 2 sharp points. Blue Marlins can grow up to 16 feet and 1400 pounds.

Blue Marlins mostly feed on fish and squid during the day. They hunt alone and use their long, sharp bill to stun or slice prey.

Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin Tuna have very elongated second dorsal and anal fins. Their second dorsal fin and all finlets are yellow and may also be trimmed in black. They have a golden-yellow stripe on their sides, and the long pectoral fin extends below the beginning of the second dorsal fin. These fish are common up to 60 inches.

Yellowfin tuna live in offshore waters, and they feed on fishes and invertebrates.

Red Snapper

Red snapper have a pinkish-red body which fades to a white belly. They also have a long, triangular snout, red eyes, and pointed anal fins. There are no dark spots on the sides of adults.

Adult red snapper live offshore near structures, and juveniles can be found over muddy or sandy bottoms.

These are just some of the great fish you can find here in Louisiana. You can also catch grouper, speckled trout, wahoo, and amberjack, among others! If you’re in the New Orleans or Delacroix area and are looking to catch some fish, check out Whiskey Bayou Charters. We target redfish and speckled trout, and you’re sure to have a great time out on the boat with us!