Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
RED SNAPPER FISHING
IN NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans is a solid destination for red snapper fishing, with good fishing in June, July. Book a charter and target red snapper with local experts.
About Red Snapper Fishing in New Orleans
The king of Gulf reef fish. Highly prized for its sweet, firm flesh. Found on reefs, wrecks, and artificial structure.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf of Mexico reef fishing — their brilliant red color, sweet firm flesh, and hard-fighting nature make them the most sought-after bottom fish in the Gulf. Adults are a vivid pinkish-red over the entire body, with a pointed snout and distinctive red eye. Juveniles have a dark spot on each side that fades with age. Red Snapper are long-lived (50+ years) and grow slowly, which has led to strict management regulations.
Scientific name: Lutjanus campechanus
Red Snapper Seasonal Calendar — New Orleans
Month-by-month availability for red snapper in New Orleans, LA.
How to Catch Red Snapper in New Orleans
Techniques & Bait
Bottom fishing with cut squid, live cigar minnows, or live vermilion snapper (where legal) on double-hook bottom rigs dropped to reef, wreck, and artificial reef structure in 60-200+ feet of water. Chicken rigs (multi-hook rigs) with squid strips work well for smaller fish. Large live baits like pinfish on fish-finder rigs target the largest fish. Vertical jigging with heavy butterfly jigs (150-300g) is gaining popularity and reduces bycatch.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-heavy conventional rod (6'6"), reel loaded with 40-65 lb braid, 60-80 lb fluorocarbon leader, bank sinker (6-16 oz depending on depth/current), size 5/0-8/0 circle hooks (required by regulation in many areas).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in New Orleans
Top spots where local captains target red snapper and other nearshore species.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge
The 24-mile Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest bridge over water in the world, and its concrete pilings create an enormous fish-attracting structure across the entire lake. Speckled trout, redfish, sheepshead, and drum congregate around the pilings where barnacles and baitfish thrive in the current. Anglers anchor up-current and cast to individual pilings, making the Causeway one of New Orleans's most iconic nearshore fishing destinations.
The Rigolets Pass
The Rigolets is a narrow tidal pass connecting Lake Pontchartrain to Lake Borgne, funneling massive volumes of water and baitfish through its channel on every tide change. Bull redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and tarpon stack up in the pass during spring and fall migrations, creating some of the most exciting nearshore fishing near New Orleans. The adjacent Highway 90 bridge pilings add structure that further concentrates gamefish in the swift current.
Breton Sound
Breton Sound is the expansive body of water east of the Mississippi River delta, stretching from the Delacroix marsh to the Chandeleur Islands. Its shallow grass beds and oyster reefs support tremendous populations of speckled trout and redfish that feed in the sound's nutrient-rich waters year-round. Drifting the open flats with live shrimp under a popping cork is the classic technique for targeting speckled trout across the sound.
Chef Menteur Pass
Chef Menteur Pass is the western tidal strait connecting Lake Borgne to Lake Pontchartrain, running beneath the Highway 90 bridge near the old Fort Macomb ruins. The pass funnels strong tidal currents that attract bull redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and jack crevalle to the bridge pilings and channel edges. It is a historically significant and highly productive nearshore fishing spot within easy reach of eastern New Orleans.
Other Species in New Orleans
More fish you can target while visiting New Orleans.
Red Snapper Fishing in New Orleans — FAQ
Red Snapper fishing in New Orleans is productive during June, July.
Red Snapper fishing charters in New Orleans are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Bottom fishing with cut squid, live cigar minnows, or live vermilion snapper (where legal) on double-hook bottom rigs dropped to reef, wreck, and artificial reef structure in 60-200+ feet of water. Chicken rigs (multi-hook rigs) with squid strips work well for smaller fish. Large live baits like pinfish on fish-finder rigs target the largest fish. Vertical jigging with heavy butterfly jigs (150-300g) is gaining popularity and reduces bycatch.
No — when you book a charter in New Orleans, your captain provides all required Louisiana fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Red Snapper regulations in Louisiana include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Red Snapper in New Orleans, you may also catch Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Flounder. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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