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Sharks in Louisiana: Species, Stingrays & Safety

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. All 44 sharks, rays and other marine animals
  2. Lookalikes
  3. When they are active
  4. If you see one
  5. About this list
  6. Sources

This page lists 44 sharks, rays and other marine animals: 39 from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries's Recreational Saltwater Finfish regulations: Shark table and Prohibited Species and 5 named in other official sources. 2 are nonnative.

All 44 sharks, rays and other marine animals

From A to Z.

No confirmed photo of Atlantic angel shark

Atlantic angel shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (1 per person per day)
No confirmed photo of Basking shark

Basking shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Bigeye sand tiger shark

Bigeye sand tiger shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Bigeye sixgill shark

Bigeye sixgill shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Bigeye thresher shark

Bigeye thresher shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Bignose shark

Bignose shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Blacknose Shark

Blacknose Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
No confirmed photo of Blacktip Shark

Blacktip Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated, no size or bag limit in state waters
Blue Shark
Photo: Juergen Gangoly · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

Blue Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
No confirmed photo of Bonnethead Shark

Bonnethead Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (1 per person per day)
No confirmed photo of Bull Shark

Bull Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated, no size or bag limit in state waters
No confirmed photo of Caribbean reef shark

Caribbean reef shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Caribbean sharpnose shark

Caribbean sharpnose shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Dusky shark

Dusky shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Finetooth Shark

Finetooth Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
No confirmed photo of Galapagos shark

Galapagos shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
Great Hammerhead
Photo: Stevelaycock21 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

Great Hammerhead

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
Lemon Shark
Photo: GregAmptman · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lemon Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
Lionfish
Photo: Kristof Zyskowski · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Lionfish

Pterois volitans & P. miles

Not stated Invasive

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Adults grow to about 18 inches (NOAA); USGS lists 47 cm. Juveniles can be 1 inch or less.
How to recognize it
  • Fleshy tentacles above the eyes and below the mouth, fan-like pectoral fins and long, separated dorsal spines.
  • 13 dorsal spines and 3 anal spines.
  • Slow-moving and conspicuous.

Full Lionfish guide

No confirmed photo of Longfin mako shark

Longfin mako shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Narrowtooth shark

Narrowtooth shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Night shark

Night shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
Nurse Shark
Photo: Matteo Bellucci · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Nurse Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Photo: Alexander Vasenin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
No confirmed photo of Porbeagle

Porbeagle

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
No confirmed photo of Rice's Whale

Rice's Whale

Balaenoptera ricei

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
Louisiana SGCN, state rank S1 (critically imperiled); federally endangered (2025 SWAP Table)
No confirmed photo of Sand tiger shark

Sand tiger shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Sandbar Shark

Sandbar Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: recreational harvest prohibited
Scalloped Hammerhead
Photo: Michael Bommerer · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Scalloped Hammerhead

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
No confirmed photo of Sevengill shark

Sevengill shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
Shortfin Mako
Photo: Fábio Olmos · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Shortfin Mako

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Silky Shark

Silky Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: recreational harvest prohibited
No confirmed photo of Sixgill shark

Sixgill shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Smalltail shark

Smalltail shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
No confirmed photo of Smooth Hammerhead

Smooth Hammerhead

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
Sperm Whale
Photo: Whale Watch Kaikoura / Destination Kaikōura · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
Louisiana SGCN, state rank SNA; federally endangered (2025 SWAP Table)
No confirmed photo of Spinner Shark

Spinner Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
Spotted Jellyfish
Photo: Millie Basden · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Spotted Jellyfish

Phyllorhiza punctata

Not stated Nonnative

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Thresher Shark

Thresher Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
Tiger Shark
Photo: cello caruso-turiello · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Tiger Shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF recreational rule: regulated (54 in. minimum fork length)
West Indian Manatee
Photo: Ryan Hagerty · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

West Indian Manatee

Trichechus manatus

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Adults typically 9-10 ft long and about 1,000 lb; can exceed 13 ft and 3,500 lb. Calves weigh about 60-70 lb at birth.
How to recognize it
  • Two front flippers and a large, round, flattened paddle-shaped tail
  • Often only the snout breaks the surface when it breathes
  • Signs on the water: a swirl, or a back, snout, tail or flipper breaking the surface
Conservation
Louisiana SGCN, state rank S2 (imperiled); federally threatened (2025 SWAP Table)

Full West Indian Manatee guide

Whale shark
Photo: Jonathan Green · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Whale shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)
White shark
Photo: Elias Levy · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

White shark

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
LDWF: prohibited species (may not be possessed)

Sharks and Marine Life people confuse

Lionfish or Red lionfish and devil firefish (each other)?

Lionfish
Photo: Kristof Zyskowski · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Lionfish Not stated

Red lionfish and devil firefish (each other)
Photo: Kristof Zyskowski · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Red lionfish and devil firefish (each other) Not stated

USGS: the two invasive species look the same; positive identification takes genetic analysis.

Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.

When sharks, rays and other marine animals are active in Louisiana

Records of sharks, rays and other marine animals in Louisiana peak in May to June and September to October. They show when people record sharks, rays and other marine animals, not how many there are (about month bars).

185 records of sharks, rays and other marine animals in Louisiana by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).

If you see one

Official advice from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries:

About this list

The species list comes from Recreational Saltwater Finfish regulations: Shark table and Prohibited Species (LDWF) (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, undated web page; retrieved 2026-11-03). 5 more entries come from other official sources named on each card.

Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.

"Nonnative" and "Invasive" follow the wording of the source list. See invasive species in Louisiana.

Sources

  1. About Us. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  2. Recreational Saltwater Finfish (seasons, size and bag limits; prohibited species). Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  3. 2025 Louisiana State Wildlife Action Plan. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. 2025 plan; checked November 3, 2026.
  4. Nuisance Alligators. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Don’t swim at night or during dusk or dawn when alligators most actively feed.”
  5. GBIF.org occurrence records, human observations licensed CC0 1.0 or CC BY 4.0 only, accessed November 3, 2026. The datasets behind these counts are listed on our Sources page.