1
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
2022 LOUISIANA
RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS
Included inside: NEW License Fee information
beginning June 1, 2022
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CONTENTS
10. DEFINITIONS
12. GENERAL FISHING INFORMATION
14. FRESHWATER FISHING
19. SALTWATER FISHING
27. OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
33. WMA & REFUGE REGULATIONS
39. BOATING SAFETY
40. FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES
Contact Information.............................................12
General Regulations.............................................13
Saltwater/Freshwater Line...................................13
General Information.............................................14
Freshwater State Creel & Size Limits....................17
General Information.............................................19
Saltwater State Creel & Size Limits.......................22
Recreational Shrimping........................................27
Recreational Oystering.........................................28
Recreational Crabbing..........................................29
Recreational Crawfishing......................................30
Reptiles & Amphibians........................................31
5. LICENSING & NEW LICENSING INFORMATION
DISCLAIMER
This publication is not an official copy of the laws in effect and should not be utilized or relied upon as such. It does represent an attempt by the publish-
er to present, as a public service, a partial summary of the laws in effect at the time of the printing of this publication. Substantive changes to the law may
very well occur following the printing of this publication. For these reasons, the accuracy of the information contained within this publication cannot be
guaranteed and the reader is cautioned that it is his/her responsibility to apprise himself of the laws in effect at any given time. These laws include those
contained within Revised Statutes, particularly Title 56, the official regulations of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, federal laws and any local
or parish ordinances. Contact your local LDWF Enforcement Agent for specific information.
Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental federally assisted programs on the basis of
race, color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility oper-
ated by a recipient of federal assistance should write to: Director, Office for Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington D.C. 20240.
This public document was published at a total cost of $29,700. 200,000 copies of this public document were published in the first printing at a cost of $29,700. This
document was published by J.F. Griffin Publishing, 33 Main St, North Adams, MA 01247 for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to provide regulations
on the 2022 fishing season. This material was printed in accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31. Printing of
this material was purchased in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. For advertising inquiries call (413)884-1099.
Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Commerce strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental federally assist-
ed programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program,
activity, or facility operated by a recipient of federal assistance should write to: Director, Office for Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior,
Washington D.C. 20240.
SPORTSMEN ARE REMINDED TO:
• Clean out truck beds and refrain from throwing
cigarette butts or other trash out of the car or
watercraft.
• Carry a trash bag in your car or boat.
• Securely cover trash containers to prevent
animals from spreading litter.
LITTER
Call the state’s “Litterbug Hotline” to report any
potential littering violations including dumpsites
and littering in public. Those convicted of littering
face hefty nes and litter abatement work.
(Littering is a violation of L.R.S.30:2531 et seq.)
1-888-LITRBUG
DON’T
Cover Photo: Marley James Douget on a shing trip at Miller’s Lake in
August 2020. - Photo by Craig A. Durbin
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2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
LDWF MISSION STATEMENT
To manage, conserve, and promote wise ulizaon of Louisiana’s renewable sh and wildlife resources and their supporng habitats through
replenishment, protecon, enhancement, research, development, and educaon for the social and economic benet of current and future
generaons; to provide opportunies for knowledge of and use and enjoyment of these resources; and to promote a safe and healthy en-
vironment for the users of the resources
WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
COMMISSION
Jerri G. Smitko, chairman
William J. “Joe” McPherson, vice-chairman
William D. “Bill’’ Hogan
Andrew Blanchard
Dusty J. Guidry
Alfred R. “Al” Sunseri
Harlie E. “Gene” Reynolds
John Bel Edwards, Governor
Jack Montoucet, Secretary
Robert Shadoin, Deputy Secretary
Bryan McClinton, Undersecretary
Randy Myers, Assistant Secretary
Patrick Banks, Assistant Secretary
Scott Longman, Deputy Assistant Secretary
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE & FISHERIES
P.O. Box 98000
2000 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
225-765-2800
DIVISION ADMINISTRATORS
Jason Froeba, Fisheries
Kenny Ribbeck, Wildlife
Col. Chad Hebert, Enforcement
For updated information and
the latest regulations
visit us online at
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
HELP STOP
POACHING
REPORT GAME
VIOLATIONS
1-800-442-2511
24 hours a day - 7 days a week
INFORMATION HOTLINE
1-800-256-2749
MAJOR CHANGES FOR 2022
MARINE FISHERIES
Please refer to the LDWF website for current information: www.wlf.la.gov/fishing/recreational-fishing
1. A Notice of Intent to change the ROLP age to 18 and older will go before the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in December 2021.
Please check our website for updates to this rule: www.wlf.la.gov/page/rolp.
2. During 2021, the use of recreational crab traps will be prohibited in designated derelict crab trap cleanup areas. Please check our web-
site for the most recent information.
3. During the 2019 legislative session, language was amended regarding the placement of escape rings in crab traps.
New regulations appear in red text throughout the pamphlet.
1. Starting June 1, 2022, license prices and structure will change. There are many references to these changes throughout the book
(new chart is in the Licensing section). Changes will be in bold italic red font.
Every time you purchase a fi shing license or register your boat, a portion of the proceeds go toward preserving
our nation’s coastlines, lakes, rivers and streams. Protecting our memories on the water for generations to come.
THE SIMPLE ACT OF FISHING, PRESERVES FISHING.
Learn more at TakeMeFishing.org/Conservation
Learn more at TakeMeFishing.org/Conservation
46831_TMF_PSA_Pg_Ad.indd 1 2/4/11 9:53 AM
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www.wlf.louisiana.gov
LICENSING
1
Valid to sh from a charter vessel in saltwater areas of the state, with a licensed guide on board at all mes.
2
Valid to sh under the direcon of a charter operaon in a licensed charter ski in saltwater areas of the state.
3
Sportsman’s Paradise License: Includes Basic and Saltwater Fishing, Basic and Big Game Hunng, Bow, Primive Firearms, Turkey, LA Duck and
WMA Hunng Permit, and all recreaonal gear licenses (EXCEPT recreaonal trawls greater than 16 feet in length).
4
Senior Fish/Hunt License: Any resident who reached age 60 on June 1, 2000 or later must obtain a Senior Hunt/Fish License to hunt or sh. This
license is in lieu of basic and saltwater shing, basic hunng, big game, bow, primive rearms, LA duck license, turkey stamp and WMA hunng
permit. It does not include special gear such as trawls, crab traps, crawsh traps, hoop nets, etc.
5
NR Student: Applies to a nonresident who is enrolled as a full-me student at an accredited college, university or high school that has a physical
campus in Louisiana. Vericaon of full-me status on the Department form available at www.wlf.la.gov/page/forms. Any person shing under a
“student license” must carry valid student ID card indicang current full me status while hunng or shing.
6
LA Disabled Fishing and Saltwater: See page 9.
7
Recreaonal Oshore Landing Permit (ROLP): See page 7.
8
Purple Heart Recipient Fishing Gear Fees: Act 411 of the 2020 Regular Legislave session created gear licenses for Purple Heart recipients. Any
person, whether a resident or non-resident, who has been awarded a Purple Heart shall be issued gear licenses at the resident rate.
9
Recreaonal wire and hoop nets shall be used only in the geographical areas of the state designated as freshwater (see page 13).
Lifetime fishing licenses include both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Lifetime licenses are available from Baton Rouge office only. Allow three
weeks processing time. Applicants are required to have lived in Louisiana for the
immediate 6 months prior to making application to qualify for resident rates.
Mandatory documents required for applicants age 18 and older are a valid LA
driver’s license issued a minimum of 6 months and one of the following:
1. Louisiana voter’s registration card
2. Louisiana vehicle registration or
3. Two previous year’s state tax filing, stamped by Department of Revenue
and Taxation.
(Applications available at www.wlf.la.gov/page/forms or by calling 225-765-2887)
Mandatory paperwork for applicants age 17 and under is the following:
• Original or certified copy of the birth certificate
• Copy of both parents’ driver’s licenses
LIFETIME LICENSES
RECREATIONAL FISHING FEES
Resident
Non-
Resident
Basic Fishing Season $9.50 $60.00
Saltwater License
(Basic Fishing required)
$13.00 $30.00
Basic Fish Trip - 1 day $5.00
Saltwater Trip - 1 day $17.50
Hook and Line (cane pole) $2.50
Charter Passenger License (3-day)
1
$10.00 $10.00
(3-day)
2
$30.00
LA Sportsman's Paradise License
3
$100.00
Senior Fish/Hunt
4
(born between
June 1, 1940 and May 31, 1962)
$5.00
Senior Fish/Hunt
4
(born before June
1, 1940)
No
License
Required
Non-Resident Student Basic Fishing
5
$9.50
NR Student Saltwater Fishing
(Basic Fishing required)
5
$5.50
Resident Disabled Basic Fishing
6
$2.50
Resident Disabled Saltwater
6
$2.50
7
Free Free
MILITARY RECREATIONAL FISHING FEES
Resident Non-Resident
$9.50 $9.50
$5.50 $5.50
$50.00
$5.00
$2.50
Purple Heart Basic Fishing $9.50 $9.50
Purple Heart Saltwater $13.00 $13.00
FISHING GEAR
8
Crab Traps (limit 10) $15.00 $60.00
Slat Traps (limit 5) $20.00 $80.00
Trawls - up to 16 feet $25.00 $100.00
Trawls - 16 feet to 25 feet $80.00 $320.00
Oyster Tong (per tong) $5.00 $20.00
(limit 35) $15.00 $60.00
Pipes/Drums (limit 5) $10.00 $40.00
Cans/Buckets (limit 5) $10.00 $40.00
Wire Nets (limit 5)
9
$20.00 $80.00
Hoop Nets (limit 5)
9
$20.00 $80.00
LIFETIME LICENSE FEES
(5-13 years old) $200
(14 years and older) $300
(0-4 years old) $200
(5-13 years old) $300
(14 years and older) $500
$3,000
(60 or older)
$50
10 mes
annual fee per
gear type
Following Licensing information valid ONLY UNTIL MAY 31, 2022
(Licenses purchased prior to June 1, 2022 will only be valid until June 30, 2022)
6
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
Following Licensing information valid FROM JUNE 1, 2022 AND AFTER
(Licenses purchased on or after June 1, 2022 will be valid for one year from the day of purchase)
LICENSING
Lifetime fishing licenses include both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Lifetime licenses are available from Baton Rouge office only. Allow three weeks
processing time. Applicants are required to have lived in Louisiana for the imme-
diate 6 months prior to making application to qualify for resident rates.
Mandatory documents required for applicants age 18 and older are a valid LA
driver’s license issued a minimum of 6 months and one of the following:
1. Louisiana voter’s registration card
2. Louisiana vehicle registration or
3. Two previous year’s state tax filing, stamped by Department of Revenue and
Taxation.
(Applications available at www.wlf.la.gov/page/forms or by calling 225-765-2887)
Mandatory paperwork for applicants age 17 and under is the following:
• Original or certified copy of the birth certificate
• Copy of both parents’ driver’s licenses
1
Allows using a pole or hook and line without a reel and without arcial bait or any of the following: dip nets, landing nets, minnow traps,
crab nets or crab lines
2
Valid to sh from a charter vessel in saltwater areas of the state, with a licensed guide on board at all mes.
3
Sportsman’s Paradise License: Includes Basic and Saltwater Fishing, Basic and Big Game Hunting, Bow, Primitive Firearms, Turkey, LA
Duck
and WMA Hunting Permit, and all recreational gear licenses (EXCEPT recreational trawls greater than 25 feet in length).
4
Senior Fish/Hunt License: Any resident who reached age 60 on June 1, 2000 or later must obtain a Senior Hunt/Fish License to hunt or sh.
This license is in lieu of basic and saltwater shing, basic hunng, big game, bow, primive rearms, LA duck license, turkey stamp and WMA
hunng permit. It includes all gear.
5
Disabled/Special Needs and Disabled Veterans: See page 9.
6
Recreaonal Oshore Landing Permit (ROLP): See page 7.
7
Student: Applies to a nonresident who is enrolled as a full-me student at an accredited college, university or high school that has a physical
campus in Louisiana. Vericaon of fu ll-me status on the Department for m ava ilable at www.wlf.la.gov/page/forms. Any per son shing
under a “student license” must carry valid student ID card indicang current full me status while hunng or shing.
LIFETIME LICENSES
RECREATIONAL FISHING FEES (from June 1, 2022 and after)
Resident, Military,
& Student
7
Non-Resident
Non-Resident
Non-Resident
5-day
Basic Fishing Season (includes all legal
recreaonal freshwater gear)
$17.00 $68.00 $17.00 $30.00
Saltwater License (Basic Fishing required;
includes all legal recreaonal saltwater gear)
$15.00 $60.00 $15.00 $30.00
Hook and Line
1
$5.00 $5.00
Charter Passenger Saltwater License (3-day)
2
$20.00 $20.00
Charter Passenger Freshwater License (3-day) $10.00 $10.00
LA Sportsman’s Paradise License
3
$100.00 $400.00 $100.00 $120.00
Senior Fish/Hunt
4
(60 years and older)
$5.00
5
$4.00
Disabled Veterans
5
No cost to customer
6
Free
LIFETIME LICENSE FEES
(from June 1, 2022 and after)
(0-17 years old) $500
(18 years and older) $500
$4,000
(65 or older)
$100
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www.wlf.louisiana.gov
LICENSING
RECREATIONAL LICENSES
ABOUT THE LICENSE
• Recreational licenses purchased prior to June 1, 2022 are valid
from the date of purchase and expire June 30, 2022.
• Starting June 1, 2022, any License purchased on or after June 1,
2022 will be valid for one year from the day of purchase.
• To obtain licenses at resident rates, proof of residency is re-
quired. Valid forms of I.D. include (*NOTE: valid ID must be
held for 6 months before buying license):
• Louisiana driver’s license
• Louisiana ID card (issued by the Department of Public Safety)
• Recreational Licenses that are purchased at www.wlf.la.gov/
page/recreational-fishing-licenses-and-permits via mobile de-
vice (smart phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) will not receive a license
WHO NEEDS A LICENSE
• Anglers 16 years of age or older who take or possess fish in Louisiana waters must possess a fishing license.
• Starting June 1, 2022, anglers 18 years of age or older who take or possess fish in Louisiana waters must possess a fishing license.
WHO DOES NOT NEED A LICENSE
• Children under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license (15
and under). Starting June 1, 2022, children under the age of
18 do not need a fishing license (17 and under).
• Residents born before June 1, 1940 who have lived in Louisiana
for six months prior to fishing are exempt from basic and salt-
water licenses but MUST have appropriate gear licenses when
using trawls, crab traps, slat traps, oyster tongs, crawfish traps,
wire nets, hoop nets or any other legal fishing gear. Starting
June 1, 2022, separate gear licenses no longer needed.
FISHING IN SALTWATER
Title 56 requires that all recreational anglers fishing south of the
“saltwater line” (see page 13) for saltwater species have in their
possession a Louisiana saltwater angler’s license IN ADDITION TO a
basic Louisiana fishing license EXCEPT those persons otherwise ex-
empted. All regulations apply regardless of where the fish is taken.
RECREATIONAL OFFSHORE LANDING PERMIT
Recreational anglers who are 16 years of age or older and charter
captains are required to obtain this permit (free of charge) to pos-
sess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, hinds, snap-
pers, dolphinfish, wahoo and cobia. Anglers wishing to obtain or
renew a permit must register or login at rolp.wlf.la.gov. More details
on this program are also available on this site. The requirement for
anglers on a for-hire trip to have the permit has been removed;
instead, it is required that the charter captain have a valid Charter
Recreational Offshore Landing Permit in his/her possession.
NOTE: A Notice of Intent to change the ROLP age to 18 and older will
go before the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in December 2021.
Please check our website for updates to this rule: www.wlf.la.gov/
page/rolp.
in the mail. You can choose to receive an email with the license
attached that can be saved and/or printed.
• Effective Aug. 1, 2019, a Louisiana Resident who was honor-
ably discharged from the armed forces of the United States or
a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States,
including the National Guard, for the purposes of purchasing a
fishing/hunting license will be considered a bona fide resident
of Louisiana once he/she possess a Louisiana driver’s license,
or, if not licensed to drive, is in possession of a special iden-
tification card issued by the Department of Public Safety and
Corrections under the provisions of R.S. 40:1321
Recreational fishing and hunting licenses may be purchased online at www.wlf.la.gov/page/recreational-fishing-licenses-
and-permits. The license can be printed using your home printer for immediate use or saved to a mobile friendly device.
Methods of payment are Visa, MasterCard, Discover. A convenience fee is assessed.
Durable, waterproof paper is no longer available. All licenses will be on 8.5 x 11 paper.
The most up-to-date
regulations online.
8
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
LICENSING
• Active-duty members of the United States armed forces, includ-
ing National Guard, are eligible to purchase annual licenses for
the same fee that Louisiana residents pay for annual licenses.
• An active-duty military member’s spouse and/or any dependents
may also obtain a fishing license at the Louisiana resident rate..
• In order to obtain Louisiana resident rate licenses the active-duty
member of the military, spouse or dependents must present a
valid active duty military ID card at the time of the license pur-
chase.
• A Louisiana resident who is a member of the Louisiana Nation-
al Guard or any reserve component of the United States armed
forces may purchase a combination license to hunt and fish
for $50. Information and applications are available at www.wlf.
la.gov/licenses or by calling 225-765-2887.
MILITARY RECREATIONAL LICENSES
ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A LICENSE
A valid Basic Fishing License is required to possess fish in Louisiana
waters OR to use the following gears in pursuit of fish:
• Bow and arrow
• A barbed or barbless spear
• Frog gig/catcher
• Scuba gear
• Hook and Line
• Cast net with a radius not to
exceed 8 feet, 6 inches
• Crabbing on a state refuge
or wildlife management
area (WMA)
• Crab Traps*
• Trawl*
• Oyster tongs (must have
a tonging permit to fish
oysters by hand)
*Prior to June 1, 2022, gear licenses for crab traps, trawls and/or
oyster tongs can be purchased with the requirement of Basic Fishing
License. Starting June 1, 2022, a Basic Fishing License includes crab
traps, trawls and/or oyster tongs. If a person wishes to utilize these
gear types in the defined saltwater area, one must also possess a
Saltwater License.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS VALID UNTIL MAY 31, 2022
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS VALID JUNE 1, 2022 AND AFTER
• Active-duty members of the United States armed forces, includ-
ing National Guard, are eligible to purchase annual licenses for
the same fee that Louisiana residents pay for annual licenses.
• An active-duty military member’s spouse and/or any depen-
dents may obtain any recreational license at the Louisiana res-
ident rate.
• In order to obtain Louisiana resident rate licenses the ac-
tive-duty member of the military, spouse or dependents must
present a valid active duty military ID card at the time of the
license purchase.
• A Louisiana resident or native born Retired member of the Unit-
ed States armed forces, including Louisiana National Guard, is
eligible to purchase a combination license to hunt and fish for
$5. (Application for this license can be mailed to the Baton Rouge
office or presented to the Baton Rouge office in person).
• A Louisiana resident who is a surviving spouse of a member of
the United States armed forces, including Louisiana National
Guard, who was killed in action while in a combat zone, is eligible
to purchase a recreational fishing license for $2.50. (Application
for this license can be mailed to the Baton Rouge office or pre-
sented to the Baton Rouge office in person).
• A Louisiana resident or native born Retired member of the Unit-
ed States armed forces, including Louisiana National Guard, is
eligible to purchase a combination license to hunt and fish for
$20. (Application for this license can be mailed to the Baton
Rouge office or presented to the Baton Rouge office in person).
• A Louisiana resident who is a surviving spouse of a member of
the United States armed forces, including Louisiana National
Guard, who was killed in action while in a combat zone, is eli-
gible to purchase a recreational fishing license for $4. (Applica-
tion for this license can be mailed to the Baton Rouge office or
presented to the Baton Rouge office in person).
9
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
LICENSING
• Resident veterans who have a permanent service-con-
nected disability classification of 50% or more can
be issued recreational basic and saltwater fishing li-
cense(s) for free.
• Prior to June 1, 2022, residents who are blind, para-
plegic or multiple amputee can be issued recreational
basic and saltwater fishing license(s) for free. Starting
June 1, 2022, residents who are blind, paraplegic or
multiple amputee must purchase a recreational fish-
ing license for $4.
• Residents who are totally and permanently disabled
and receiving federal social security disability benefits
or disability retirement income from a retirement sys-
tem whose members are exempt from social security
pursuant to the Railroad Retirement Insurance Act or
employees of the state or a political subdivision of the
state that has not voluntarily agreed to participate in
federal social security may qualify for reduced rate
basic and saltwater fishing licenses. Starting June 1,
2022, the fee is $4. (This exemption does not apply to
Supplemental Security Income benefits).
• Residents required to use one or more artificial limbs
or permanent braces for mobility or a single amputee
can be issued recreational basic and saltwater fishing
licenses for free. Starting June 1, 2022, residents re-
quired to use one or more artificial limbs or perma-
nent braces for mobility or a single amputee must
purchase a recreational fishing license for $4.
• As defined in R.S. 47:463.4(E), Mobility impaired per-
sons that are bona fide residents of Louisiana, in pos-
session of valid identification, and over 60 years of age,
may use one legal slat trap and/or one hoop net not
greater than 18 feet by 8 feet, where those gear are le-
gal, without a license, only for the purpose of catching
catfish and only for home consumption. Starting June
1, 2022, this is no longer valid. Mobility impaired
persons that are bona fide residents of Louisiana in
possession of valid identification, and over 60 years
of age, must purchase the applicable license.
• Applications for these licenses can be mailed to the
Baton Rouge office or presented to the Baton Rouge
office in person.
• Application forms are available at www.wlf.la.gov/
page/forms. For more information contact Sports Li-
cense at 225-765-2887.
DISABILITY LICENSES
• Louisiana and Texas residents who hold resident licenses from their
resident state or who are exempted from holding resident licenses
in their state may fish the border waters between Texas and Louisi-
ana without additional licenses. Boundary waters include:
• Caddo Lake
• Toledo Bend Reservoir
• Sabine River
• Sabine Lake
• Sabine Pass
• Louisiana residents who are 65 years old or older may fish in
Texas public waters (both freshwater and saltwater) as long as
they possess valid Louisiana resident licenses and comply with
Texas law.
• Louisiana residents born before June 1, 1940 are not required
to have a license to fish border waters, only.
• Louisiana residents who are 17 to 64 years of age must pur-
chase Texas non-resident fishing license(s) when fishing in Tex-
as, except when fishing in border waters.
• Texas residents who are 65 years old or older may fish in Loui-
siana public waters (both freshwater and saltwater) as long as
they possess valid Texas resident license(s) and comply with
Louisiana law.
• Texas residents born before Sept. 1, 1930 must possess Texas
resident fishing license(s) when fishing in Louisiana, except in
the border waters.
TEXAS/LOUISIANA RECIPROCAL
10
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
DEFINITIONS
1. Angling: to sh with rod, shing pole or hook and line, with or without a reel.
2. Bag Limit/Creel Limit: the maximum number of a species permied to be taken by one person in any one day.
3. Bait Seine: a net measuring no more than 30 feet in length with a mesh size not exceeding 1/4-inch mesh bar, 1/2-inch mesh stretched, and operated
solely on foot and solely by hand, without any mechanical device, pulley or mechanical assistance whatsoever.
4. Bait Species: all species of sh and other aquac life ulized for bait.
5. Bandit Gear: vercal hook-and-line gear with rods aached to a vessel and with line retrieved with rods and with line retrieved by manual, electric or
hydraulic reels. (Use prohibited in state waters)
6. Bona Fide Resident:
A. any person who has resided in this state connuously during the six months immediately prior to the date on which he/she applies for any license
and who has manifested his/her intent to remain in this state by establishing Louisiana as his/her legal domicile, as demonstrated by compliance
with all of the following, as applicable.
• If registered to vote, he/she is registered to vote in Louisiana.
• If licensed to drive a motor vehicle, he/she is in possession of a valid Louisiana driver’s license.
• If owning a motor vehicle located within Louisiana, he/she is in possession of a valid Louisiana registraon for that vehicle.
• If earning an income, he/she has led a Louisiana state income tax return and has complied with state income tax laws and regulaons.
B. Eecve Aug. 1, 2019, a Louisiana resident who was honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of
the armed forces of the United States, including Naonal Guard, for the purpose of purchasing a shing/hunng license will be considered a bona
de resident of Louisiana once he/she possesses a Louisiana driver’s license, or, if not licensed to drive, is in possession of a special idencaon
card issued by the Department of Public Safety and Correcons under the provisions of R.S. 40:1321.
C. any person who possesses a resident license from any other state shall not qualify for a resident license in Louisiana.
7. Can: a metal container of not more than 55-gallon capacity which is set for the purpose of taking sh.
8. Cast Net: a light circular net of vegetable or synthec materials that is weighted around its perimeter and is thrown by hand over the water.
9. Crab Dropnet: any device constructed with vegetable, synthec, or metal bers and without ues or throat, aached to a wire frame that forms a net
basket and is used for the purpose of taking crabs. This device shall be operated solely by hand and shed in a staonary, passive manner.
10. Crab Trap: a cube-shaped, device constructed of wire, no larger than 30 inches on any side, and with either a bait box or materials providing cover or
shelter for peeler crabs. The entrance funnels must extend no further than 7 inches into the inside of the trap, with the openings to the entrance funnels
on the vercal wall of the trap such that the horizontal diameter of each opening is at least one and one-half mes the vercal diameter of the opening.
11. any device constructed with vegetable or synthec material without ues or throats aached to a wire frame that forms a net basket
and is used for the purpose of taking crawsh.
12. any device constructed of coated wire with the opening of the throats or ues not exceeding 2 inches and which is used for the express
purpose of taking crawsh.
13. Dip Net: a net, usually a deep mesh bag of vegetable or synthec materials, on a xed frame not to exceed 3 feet in diameter aached to a handle
that is held and worked solely by hand by no more than one individual, and without any mechanical assistance.
14. (noun) any of numerous cold-blooded aquac vertebrates that characteriscally swim with ns, breathe with gills and are covered with skin
or scales.
15. Fish: (noun) all nsh, shellsh and crustaceans and all other species of aquac life.
16. Fork Length: distance from p of snout to midline of caudal n. Used to measure some sh with deeply forked tails, such as amberjack.
17. Freshwater Game Fish: see “Game Fish” denion.
18. any species of freshwater sh taken for recreaonal purposes.
19. Fyke Net: any cone-shaped net of vegetable or synthec bers having throats or ues which are stretched over a series of rings or hoops to support
the webbing, with vercal panels of net wings set obliquely on one or both sides of the mouth of the cone-shaped net.
20. Game Fish: all of the following species of freshwater and saltwater sh.
A. Freshwater Game Fish: largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), spoed bass (Micropterus punctulatus), shadow bass (Ambloplites ariommus),
black and white crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus, P. annularis), white bass (Morone chrysops), yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis), striped bass
(Morone saxalis), hybrid striped bass (striped bass-white bass cross or striped bass-yellow bass cross), and any species of bream (Lepomis sp.).
B. Saltwater Game Fish: any sailsh (Isophorus platypterus), blue marlin (Makaira indica), black marlin (Makaira nigricans), striped marlin (Tetrap-
turus audax), hatchet marlin (Tetrapturus spp.), white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus), and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus).
21. Hook: any curved or bent device aached to a line for the purpose of taking sh or alligator and consisng of not more than one eye and one shank
with no more than three barbs.
22. Hoop Net: a cone-shaped net of vegetable or synthec materials having throats or ues and which are stretched over a series of rings or hoops to
support the webbing.
23. Landing Net: means a net, usually a mesh bag of vegetable or synthec material on a xed frame aached to a handle held and operated by hand for
the sole purpose of assisng in the landing of sh legally caught by other legal gear.
24. Lead or Wing Net: a panel of neng of any mesh size or length, with or without weights and oats, aached to one or both sides of the mouth of a
cone-shaped net having ues or throats, and set so as to deect or guide sh toward the mouth of the net.
25. Licensee: any resident or nonresident lawful holder of an eecve license duly issued under the authority of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries (LDWF).
26. Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL): longest distance from p of lower jaw to midline of caudal n. Used to measure billsh such as marlin, swordsh and
paddlesh.
27. Mesh Size: the full measure of the mesh as found in use when measured as follows:
A. Bar measure is the length of the full bar stretched from the near side of one knot to the far side of the other aer being tarred, treated or oth-
erwise processed.
B. Stretched measure is the full stretched distance from the near side of one knot to the far side of the opposite knot diagonally across the mesh.
This measurement shall not be applicable to weaved or woven nets commonly used for menhaden shing. In woven nets, stretched measure is
the full stretched distance of the opening of the mesh; bar measure is one-half of stretched measure.
28. Minimum Length Limit (MLL): denotes that sh below the stated measurements must be returned to the water immediately.
29. a single untwisted synthec lament.
30. Nonresident: any person who is not a bona de resident as that term is dened by R.S. 56:8(69) (See Bona Fide Resident denion).
31. Oyster Tongs: Oyster tongs shall be made as a grasping device consisng of two pieces joined by a pivot or hinged like scissors used for picking up
objects. A single rake is not considered a tong.
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
32. Possess: in its dierent tenses, the act of having in possession or control, keeping, detaining, restraining or holding as owner, or as agent, bailee
or custodian for another. When possession of sh or other wildlife is prohibited, reference is made equally to such sh or other wildlife coming
from without the state as to those taken within the state.
33. a purpose other than deriving or aempng to derive an income of any kind from the harvest of sh. “Income” as used
herein shall not include a prize or award oered as a prize in a shing tournament.
34. nave frogs, toads, turtles, snakes, lizards and salamanders.
35. Saltwater Fish: all species of nsh which normally inhabit the saline waters of the marine and estuarine environment for most of their life cycle.
36. Saltwater Game Fish: see “Game Fish” denion.
37. any species of saltwater sh taken for recreaonal purposes.
38. an aquac invertebrate species having a shell. These species include, but are not limited to oysters, clams, crawsh, shrimp, crabs and
other mollusks and crustaceans.
39. Slat Trap: any device, used solely for the capture of caish, which is cylindrical, rectangular, or square in cross secon conguraon, constructed
of slats forming the length of the trap, with at least one pair of slats spaced at least 1 inch apart from each other on at least three sides of the
trap and which is no more than 6 feet in length, 2 feet in diameter or width and which has one or more cone-shaped throats, ues or entrances.
40. Slot Limit (SL): protecve size limits denong that sh within the range, inclusive of stated measurements, must be returned to the water immediately.
41. Snagging: a method of hooking sh without the sh taking the bait with their mouth. The angler jerks the shing line out of the water as soon
as any movement is felt on the line.
42. Stupefying Substances or Devices: explosives or chemicals or comparable destrucve shing pracces as a capture technique.
43. Take: in its dierent tenses, the aempt or act of hooking, pursuing, neng, capturing, snaring, trapping, shoong, hunng, wounding or killing
by any means or device.
44. Test Trawl: a trawl which is not more than 16 feet along the corkline or 20 feet along the headline or headrope.
45. Total Length: the longest measurable distance from the outermost poron of the snout lengthwise to the outermost poron of the caudal n.
46. Transport: in its dierent tenses, the act of shipping, aempng to ship, receiving or delivering for shipment, transporng, conveying, carrying
or exporng by air, land or water, or by any means whatsoever.
47. Trawl: any net, generally funnel-shaped, pulled through the water or along the boom with oer boards to spread the mouth open while being
shed. The term “trawl” also means and includes plumb sta beam trawls that do not exceed 16 feet, and that do not use oer boards but are
held open laterally by a horizontal beam, and vercally by two vercal beams (plumb stas), and that are used while the vessel is under way.
Trawls are only allowed to be used in state waters when and where the shrimp season is open.
48. Trigger: any tension-loaded device that contains several feet of line and a hook or hooks, which is baited and set, and which automacally hooks
and plays a sh.
49. Turtle Trap: any device designed to aract and/or capture turtles in aquac habitats. It must be open above water to allow respiraon of
air-breathing animals and clearly marked “turtle trap.”
50. a device intended to deate the abdominal cavity of a sh to release the gases so the sh may be released with minimum damage.
51. Wing Net: see Lead Net on page 10.
52. Wire Net: a cone-shaped net of vegetable (coon, ax, burlap) or synthec materials (nylon, polypropylene, plasc), with a mesh no less than
1-inch square or 2 inches stretched, having throats or ues and which is stretched over wire of 5-inch mesh or greater to support the webbing.
find more places to fish
with the ldwf community
fishing program!
In an eort to increase easy access to shing, LDWF
is partnering with local government or community
organizations to stock adult size channel catsh or
rainbow trout in community ponds throughout the state.
For Get Out & Fish! locations and stocking information visit:
www.wlf.la.gov/gof or email us at GOF@wlf.la.gov
LDWFGetOutandFish
11
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
Find us on Social Media
12
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
Minden
Monroe
Pineville
Lake Charles
Lafayette
Baton Rouge
Lacombe
Natchitoches
Baton Rouge 225-765-2999
Lafayette 337-262-2080
Lake Charles 337-491-2580
Minden 318-371-3049
Have a specic queson that you don’t see answered here?
Call an Enforcement Oce to speak with someone directly.
FRESHWATER OFFICES
318-371-3050
318-343-4044
318-487-5885
337-491-2577
337-262-2080
225-765-2337
985-882-5228
318-357-3214
SALTWATER OFFICES
985-882-0027
985-787-2163
504-284-2030
985-594-4139
337-262-2080
337-491-2579
Lacombe
Grand Isle
New Orleans
Bourg
Lafayette
Lake Charles
LDWF FISHERIES CONTACT INFORMATION
LICENSING / BOAT REGISTRATION
INFORMATION
225-765-2887 or 225-765-2898
For specific information on boat registration, please visit
www.wlf.la.gov/boat-registraon-boat-and-motor-tles
LDWF ENFORCEMENT OFFICES
GENERAL INFORMATION
Free Fishing Weekend
JUNE 1112
Enjoy a weekend of shing in Louisiana without
having to purchase a license. Visit www.wlf.la.gov
for special events and more information
Monroe 318-343-2417
New Orleans 504-284-2023
Pineville 318-487-5634
Thibodaux 985-447-0821
13
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR FRESHWATER & SALTWATER ANGLERS
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Want to check the weather and river stages before you leave on your next fishing
trip? Call the National Weather Service’s Dial A Forecast for regularly updated
marine forecasts.
Also stay tuned to the NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) for up to the minute broadcasts.
Louisiana is known around the world as a premier sport fishing destination. The Office of Fisheries uses scientific management methods to
protect and enhance fish environments, habitats and other populations of aquatic species. As an angler, the decisions you make and your
catch help us sustain the fisheries for present and future generations.
SALE OF RECREATIONAL FISH PROHIBITED
All aquatic species caught must be for personal use only and are not to be sold or used for commercial purposes.
It is illegal to buy, sell or trade any game fish.
BEST FISHING PRACTICES
For detailed information about best fishing practices, please visit
www.wlf.la.gov/page/best-fishing-practices. Information includes:
• Special tools or equipment requirements for certain species
• Appropriate gear needed for fishing
• Proper fish handling techniques
• How to measure a fish
• Signs of barotrauma in fish and how to reverse it
Shreveport: 318-635-7575 or www.weather.gov/shv
Lake Charles: 337-439-0000 or www.weather.gov/lch
New Orleans: 504-522-7330 or www.weather.gov/lix
SALTWATER - FRESHWATER LINE
The saltwater-freshwater line in Louisiana
extends easterly from the Texas state line
all the way to the Mississippi state line. The
areas north of this saltwater-freshwater line
are deemed freshwater. The areas south of
the described line, including a number of
saltwater lakes and waterways, are legally
considered saltwater. Although the actual
levels of salt in the water may dier from
day to day due to des and shis in wind
and currents, in most cases, the ora and
fauna found on either side of the line dif-
fer dramacally. A detailed descripon of
the saltwater-freshwater line can be found
below. As with any regulaon issue, please
contact your local LDWF Enforcement Of-
ce with any quesons you may have (see
page 12).
NOTE: Persons shing and/or possessing
saltwater sh in these areas are required to
have a saltwater shing license in addion
to the basic shing license. Persons shing
for and/or possessing freshwater sh in
saltwater areas are not required to hold a
saltwater license.
LOUISIANA SALTWATER LINE DEFINITION
The Intracoastal waterway from the Texas-Louisiana boundary to its junction with Louisiana Highway 27 at Gibbstown, south along Louisiana
Highway 82, east to its junction with the Intracoastal Waterway at Forked Island, the Intracoastal Waterway from Forked Island to Bayou
Barataria to the Harvey Canal, the Harvey Canal to the Mississippi River, the Mississippi River to the Industrial Canal, the Industrial Canal to
the Intracoastal Waterway, the Intracoastal Waterway to the Rigolets in Orleans Parish to the Louisville & Nashville Railroad bridge, the
Louisville & Nashville Railroad right-of-way from the Orleans Parish line to the Mississippi state line.
All the areas south of the saltwater line described above, plus the saltwater lakes known as Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake St.
Catherine, Chef Menteur Pass (except that 7/10 of a mile section from Bayou Sauvage south to the Intracoastal Waterway), the Rigolets,
Unknown Pass, Pass Manchac, Intracoastal, and that portion of the Calcasieu Ship Channel from the Intracoastal Waterway south to the Gulf of
Mexico, shall be designated as saltwater areas.
GENERAL INFORMATION
14
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
FRESHWATER FISHING IN LOUISIANA
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
All anglers fishing in freshwater must possess a valid Basic Fishing License.
A Basic Fishing License is also required to use the following gear:
• Bow and arrow
• Barbed or barbless spear
• Frog gig/catcher
All applicable licenses must be in possession of the fisherman.
FRESHWATER SPECIES YOU CANNOT HARVEST
The federally listed threatened and endangered, or prohibited species listed below are off limits for recreational take. Civil and criminal pen-
alties may apply for taking the following aquatic species.
• Louisiana Pearlshell Mussel (Margaritifera hembeli)
• Inflated Heelsplitter Mussel (Potamilus inflatus)
• Fat Pocketbook Mussel (Potamilus capax)
• Pink Mucket Mussel (Lampsilis abrupta)
PROHIBITED FRESHWATER SPECIES
It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to possess, sell, or transport any of the following species of fish into Louisiana without first
obtaining the written permission of the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
• All species of tilapia
• Carp (except koi, common carp and goldfish)
• Freshwater electric eel
• Rudd
• All members of the families of Asian swamp eels, snakeheads, walking catfishes, and pencil catfishes
Exotic species of Asian carp (silver, bighead, black and grass) taken from state waters must not be returned to the water and may not be
possessed alive.
No person shall have in possession or sell in this state a piranha, Rio Grande cichlid or apple snail. If an angler catches a Rio Grande cichlid
using legal methods, the fish shall not be returned to the water or kept alive while in the possession of the angler.
AQUATIC PLANTS
It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to possess, import, or transport any of the following species of aquatic plants into Louisiana
without first obtaining the written permission of the secretary of LDWF.
No fish of any species from outside of the state of Louisiana shall be liberated within the state
except upon written permission of the Secretary of LDWF.
POSSESSION LIMIT
No recreational anglers can have in their possession more than twice the daily bag limit of any species of freshwater recreational fish, EXCEPT
that anglers may have up to three times the daily bag limit of black bass (Micropterus spp.) below U.S. Highway 90 in coastal Louisiana.
Anglers may have up to 100 crappie in their possession at Toledo Bend Reservoir.
All freshwater game fish caught in any type of recreational or commercial net or trap must be returned immediately to the water from which
it was taken without injury. See tips for safely releasing fish at www.wlf.la.gov/page/best-fishing-practices.
No person shall possess filleted fish while aboard a vessel in freshwater. However, for the purpose of consumption, a person shall have no
more than 2 pounds of filleted finfish per person on board a vessel in freshwater, provided that the vessel is equipped to cook such finfish
and such finfish does not exceed the applicable take limit.
DAILY BAG LIMIT
Recreational anglers must not exceed the daily bag limit for any species while on the water.
FRESHWATER FISHING
• Rabbitsfoot Mussel (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica)
• Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi)
• Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)
• Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus)
• Scuba gear
• Hook and Line
• Cast net (radius not to exceed 8 feet, 6 inches)
• African Elodea
• Aquac Soda Apple
• Asian Marshweed
• Australian Pine
• Brazilian Elodea
• Duck Leuce
• Elodea
• Eurasian Watermilfoil
• False Pickerelweeds
• Giant Duckweed
• Giant Sensive Fern
• Hydrilla
• Indian Swampweed
• Kapok Tree
• Lile Floang Hearts
• Marine Naiad and
Slender Naiad
• Paragrass
• Purple Loosestrife
• Roundleaf Toothcup
• Salvinia species
• Torpedograss
• Water Chestnut
• Water Clovers
• Water Hyacinth
• Water Leuce
• Water Spinach
15
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
FRESHWATER FISHING
METHODS FOR FISHING OR TAKING FRESHWATER FISH
There are many ways to catch fish and other aquatic species in Louisiana’s beautiful rivers, lakes, bayous, ponds and streams. The headings below
define the legal methods and illegal methods of take, and certain exceptions that are allowable by species, methods and locations.
Always check with an LDWF Enforcement Office if you have questions. See page 12 for contact information.
LEGAL METHODS OF TAKE
• Hook and Line
• Bow and Arrow
• Yo-yos or Trigger Devices
• Recreational Slat Traps
• Recreational Crawfish Traps (must be marked with a water-
proof tag, provided by the fisherman, with the name and rec-
reational gear license number of the fisherman legibly printed
on the tag, and must have a minimum mesh size of a hexagon
of 3/4 by 11/16 of 1 inch from wire to wire not including any
coating on the wire)
ILLEGAL METHODS FOR FISHING OR TAKING ALL FISH
It is unlawful to possess any of the prohibited instruments, weap-
ons, substances or devices described below with the intent to take
fish.
• Crossbows
• Poisons
• Spears (see garfish, silver carp and bighead carp exception
listed in “Gear Restrictions by Species” section)
• Stupefying Substances or Devices
• Explosives
GEAR RESTRICTIONS BY SPECIES
Some alternative methods are allowed for catching/taking specific aquatic species.
FRESHWATER GAME FISH
Game fish are defined as largemouth bass, spotted bass, shadow
bass, yellow bass, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass,
black crappie, white crappie, and bream.
LEGAL
• Bream (Lepomis spp.) may not be taken as bait for sportfishing
purposes in any form of trap EXCEPT at Toledo Bend Reservoir,
where a minnow trap not exceeding 24 inches in length and
having a throat no larger than 1 inch by 3 inches may be used
to take bream for non-commercial bait purposes.
NOT LEGAL
• Standard Spearing Equipment used by recreational skin divers
is prohibited.
• Bow and Arrow
• Possession of game fish with nets or traps including recreation-
al hoop nets, slat traps, pipes, buckets, drums, tires or cans
including those licensed for recreational purposes.
CATFISH
LEGAL – snagging devices
PADDLEFISH (commonly called “spoonbill catfish,” but are not
catfish)
NOT LEGAL – snagging devices
GARFISH
LEGAL
• Spears
• Bows and arrows
LEGAL BAIT SPECIES
Including minnows, crawfish and shrimp (does not include game fish)
LEGAL
• Cast nets
• Minnow traps
• Recreational Trawls
• Dip Nets (net must be on a fixed frame no larger than 3 feet in
diameter worked exclusively by hand, by no more than one
person, without any mechanical assistance)
• Bait Seines (with a maximum mesh size not exceeding 1/4 inch
bar, 1/2 inch stretched and 30 feet in length; must be operated
solely on foot and by hand, without any pulley, mechanical
device or assistance whatsoever)
SILVER CARP & BIGHEAD CARP
LEGAL
• Boats
• Dip nets
• Spears
• Snagging
RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS BY METHOD
DIVERS
LEGAL
• Standard spearing equipment is the only legal method of take
for non-game species that can be used by a skin diver sub-
merged in water
NOT LEGAL
• The taking of gamefish with standard spearing equipment is
prohibited.
• Guns
• Any instrument or device capable of producing electric current
to shock fish
• Snagging Devices (see catfish, silver carp, and big head carp
exceptions listed below)
You may not use any aircraft including fixed-wing, dirigibles, bal-
loons, helicopters, or any other form of aerial surveillance to assist
in harvesting finfish, except menhaden and herring-like fish.
• Standard Spearing Equipment (used by recreational skin divers
submerged in water when sport fishing)
• Barbed Gig (allowed in saltwater for taking flounder ONLY)
• Recreational Hoop Nets*
• Recreational Wire Nets*
* Allowed only in the geographical areas of the state designated as
Freshwater (see map and definition on page 13).
MOBILITY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS
As defined in R.S. 47:463.4(E), mobility impaired persons who are
bona fide residents of Louisiana, in possession of valid identifica-
tion, and over 60 years of age may use one legal slat trap and/or one
hoop net not greater than 18 feet by 8 feet, where those gear are
legal, without a license, only for the purpose of catching catfish and
only for home consumption. Starting June 1, 2022, this is no longer
valid. Mobility impaired persons that are bona fide residents of
Louisiana in possession of valid identification, and over 60 years
of age, must purchase the applicable license.
16
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
FRESHWATER FISHING
RESTRICTIONS BY LOCATION
Some Louisiana waterbodies have specific gear restrictions and are listed below.
TROTLINES AND YO-YOS
Black-Clear Lake, Caddo Lake,
Chicot Lake, Lake Bruin including
Brushy Lake, Lake D’Arbonne, Lake
Lafourche, Lake St. Joseph, and
Prairie Lake
• You must tag trotlines with your name, address, phone number and the date you placed the
line. You must mark each end of the line with a visible oang object. You must aach an
8-foot coon leader on each end to ensure that if the trotline is le unaended, the leader
will deteriorate and the line will sink. You may set no more than three trotlines with no more
than 50 hooks per line and must aend them daily.
• You may not use more than 50 yo-yos or trigger devices. You must clearly tag each device
with your name, address and phone number. You may not aach them to a metallic object
or anchor them with any arcial object. You may only anchor them to an exisng pier,
boathouse, seawall or dock - you may not use any object such as rebar, cane, PVC tubing or
construcon material to anchor a yo-yo or trigger device to a water boom, stump, tree or
shoreline. You must rebait each yo-yo or trigger device at least once every 24 hours. You must
immediately remove all sh or any other animals caught or hooked on the device.
Poverty Point Lake and Bussey Brake
Reservoir
No trotlines or yo-yos.
NETS
Anacoco Lake, Lake Vernon and the
Lake, Caney Creek Reservoir, Cross
Lake, and Chicot Lake
No sh seines, gill nets, hoop nets or trammel nets.
Lake Bartholomew, Caddo Lake,
Lake Claiborne, Lake Concordia, and
D’Arbonne Lake
No sh seines, gill nets or trammel nets.
• No seines, nets or webbing in the Bogue Chio River from where it enters the state in
northern Washington Parish to where it enters the Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish.
• No hand grabbing to take sh from logs, buckets, barrels, drums or natural or arcial nesng
areas.
Lake Charles, Moss Lake, and Prien
Lake
No buery nets or shrimp trawls longer than 16 feet, sh seines, gill nets, strike nets or trammel
nets.
Cypress Lake and Black Bayou
Reservoir
• No sh seines, gill nets or trammel nets.
• No hoop nets, slat traps or wire nets from March 1 - Oct. 31.
False River Lake, Lake Bruin, Lake
Providence, and Poverty Point Lake
You may only use gill and trammel nets from Oct. 1 through sunset on the last day of February
of the following year. Net mesh must be at least 3.5 inches square (7 inches stretched). You may
leave gear overnight but may only remove sh during daylight hours.
Fool River No sh seines.
John K. Kelly-Grand Bayou Reservoir No sh seines, gill nets, hoop nets, trammel nets or wire nets.
Lacassine Bayou
No gill nets, hoop nets or trammel nets from March 1 - Nov. 30 (in the poron that ows through
Lacassine Naonal Refuge).
Nantachie Lake and Bussey Brake
Reservoir
No nets allowed.
Tchefuncte River
No seines, nets or webbing in this river or its tributaries, from its origin in Washington Parish to
where it empes into Lake Pontchartrain in St. Tammany Parish.
Toledo Bend Reservoir
No gill nets, trammel nets, ag webbing or sh seines. No hoop nets from March 1 to May 15
(only in that poron of the reservoir from a point north of Logansport where the lake enters
Texas and south to a point on the lake where the Texas Duck Refuge Canal intersects the Old
Channel of the Sabine River).
TRAPS
Lake Bruin
Slat traps are allowed from Oct. 1 through sunset on the last day of February of the following
year. You may leave gear overnight but may only remove sh during daylight hours.
Poverty Point Lake No slat traps.
Tchefuncte River
No traps in this river or its tributaries, from its origin in Washington Parish to where it empes
into Lake Pontchartrain in St. Tammany Parish.
17
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
FRESHWATER FISHING
FRESHWATER GAME FISH
BLACK BASS (Largemouth & Spotted)
1
Size Limit Daily Creel Limit
All state waters EXCEPT as follows: None 10 daily
Eagle Lake 16” MLL 10 daily
Poverty Point Reservoir
15-19” protected SL
2
8 daily
No more than one over 19” total length
False River (Pointe Coupee Parish) 14” MLL 5 daily
John K. Kelly-Grand Bayou Reservoir (Red River Parish)
14-17” protected SL
2
8 daily
No more than four over 17” total length
Caddo Lake
14-18” protected SL
2
for Largemouth
Bass
No length restriction for Spotted Bass
8 daily
No more than four Largemouth Bass
over 18” total length
Toledo Bend Reservoir and the Sabine River
3
above Toledo Bend
14” MLL for Largemouth Bass
No MLL for Spotted Bass
8 daily in combination or aggregate
Sabine River from Toledo Bend dam to I-10
12” MLL for Largemouth Bass
No MLL for Spotted Bass
8 daily in combination or aggregate
Sabine River south of I-10 (Louisiana waters only) Statewide regulations apply 10 daily
Bussey Brake
16” maximum total length limit, EXCEPT
one fish over 16 inches may be kept
5 daily, in the aggregate
5 fish while on water and 10 fish while off
water possession limit, in the aggregate
1
NOTE: For enforcement purposes, a spotted bass is defined as a black bass with a tooth patch on the tongue.
2
Fish falling within a protected slot limit must be immediately released.
3
Sabine River upstream from Toledo Bend Reservoir to the point at which the entire river enters TX (state line is marked with a sign).
4
Anglers may have up to three times the daily bag limit of black bass (Micropterus spp.) below U.S. Highway 90 in coastal Louisiana providing the fish are kept
whole or whole gutted in separate bags for each daily take limit. The bags must be marked with the date fish were taken, the species and number of fish contained
in the bag, and the name and recreational fishing license number of the person taking the fish.
Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass
FRESHWATER STATE CREEL AND SIZE LIMITS
MLL - Minimum Length Limit SL - Slot Limit
Possession Limit is TWICE the daily creel limit unless otherwise stated.
4
FRESHWATER GAME FISH
Size Limit Daily Creel Limit
STRIPED OR HYBRID STRIPED BASS (or any combination thereof)
All state waters None
5 daily
No more than two over 30” total length
WHITE BASS
All state waters EXCEPT as follows: None 50 daily
Caddo Lake, Sabine River and Toledo Bend Reservoir None 25 daily
CRAPPIE
All state waters EXCEPT as follows: None 50 daily; 100 fish possession limit
Poverty Point, Caddo Lake and Sabine River None 25 daily; 50 fish possession limit
Toledo Bend Reservoir None 25 daily; 100 fish possession limit
Eagle Lake (Madison Parish) 11” MLL 30 daily; 30 fish possession limit
Bussey Brake 10” MLL
25 daily, in the aggregate
25 fish while on water and 50 fish while off
water possession limit, in the aggregate
BOWFIN (Choupique)
All state waters 16” MLL No limit
Striped Bass
White Bass
White Crappie
Black Crappie
Bown
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2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
FRESHWATER GAME FISH CONTINUED
Size Limit Daily Creel Limit
YELLOW BASS
All state waters EXCEPT as follows: None 50 daily
Caddo Lake, Sabine River and Toledo
Bend Reservoir
None No limit
FRESHWATER NONGAME FISH
Size Limit Daily Creel Limit
BUFFALO FISH (or their hybrids)
All state waters 16” MLL 25 daily
CATFISH
All state waters EXCEPT as follows:
Blue Catfish: 12” MLL
100 daily in the aggregate. A fisherman
may possess up to 25 undersized catfish of
the three species combined.
Channel Catfish: 11” MLL
Flathead Catfish: 14” MLL
Caddo Lake, Sabine River and Toledo
Bend Reservoir
Blue & Channel Catfish: None
50 daily in the aggregate No more than
five over 30” total length
Flathead Catfish: 18” MLL 10 daily
FRESHWATER DRUM (Gaspergou)
All state waters 12” MLL 25 daily
PADDLEFISH
Statewide 30” max lower jaw fork length
2 daily (fish cannot be retained alive &
cannot be harvested by snagging methods)
Boundary waters with Texas and below
the saltwater line
no legal harvest or possession
SHAD
All state waters None 50 pounds daily
STURGEON
All state waters N/A No legal harvest or possession
OTHER FRESHWATER FISH
Size Limit Daily Creel Limit
SUNFISH (Bream)
All state waters EXCEPT as follows: None None
Bussey Brake None
50 daily, in the aggregate
50 fish while on the water and 100 fish
while off the water possession limit, in the
aggregate
All state waters None No limit
CRAWFISH
All state waters None 150 pounds daily
FRESHWATER FISHING
Yellow Bass: Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Gizzard Shad: NOAA; All other images by Duane Raver
Yellow Bass
Smallmouth Buffalo
Bigmouth Buffalo
Paddlesh
Gizzard Shad
Sturgeon
Freshwater Drum
Blue Catsh
Channel Catsh
Flathead Catsh
Yellow Bullhead
Spotted Gar
Redear Sunsh
Bluegill
19
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SALTWATER FISHING
SALTWATER FISHING IN LOUISIANA
STATE AND FEDERAL LICENSES AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
STATE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Basic Fishing License
2. Saltwater Fishing License
A Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP), free of
charge, is required of all anglers to possess tunas, billfish,
swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, hinds, snappers, dolphinfish,
wahoo and cobia, EXCEPT those anglers on a paid for-hire trip
where the captain possesses a valid Charter Recreational
Offshore Landing Permit, or those anglers that are under the
age of 16, not normally required to have a fishing license.
NOTE: A Notice of Intent to change the ROLP age to 18 and
older will go before the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in
December 2021. Please check our website for updates to this
rule: www.wlf.la.gov/page/rolp.
• The Recreational Offshore Landing Permit can be found on
the LDWF website at rolp.wlf.la.gov or through smart-
phone applications. The iPhone app can be downloaded
free of charge from the App Store by searching for the
“LDWF ROLP.” The Android app can also be downloaded
free of charge from the Google Play Store by searching for
“LDWF ROLP.”
All applicable licenses must be in possession of the fisherman.
FEDERAL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages the Atlantic
Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Division in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf
of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
1. An Atlantic HMS Angling Permit is required for vessels fishing for
tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks. You may apply for an initial
or renewal permit in one of several ways. The permit fee is $20.
• To apply for an initial or renewal permit online visit the
NMFS Permit Shop at hmspermits.noaa.gov.
• An initial or renewal application package can be download-
ed from the NMFS Permit Shop or mailed by calling the
NMFS at 888-872-8862.
• Renew permits by calling the automated voice response
system at 888-872-8862. Permits will be valid from the
date of issuance through Dec. 31, 2021.
• A shark endorsement is required when targeting or pos-
sessing sharks under this permit. See hmspermits.noaa.gov
for more details.
2. An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all
charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated
Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico The permit
fee is $20. HMS Charter/Headboat Permit will be valid from the
date of issuance through Dec. 31, 2021.
Information about obtaining HMS permits and regulations are
available at hmspermits.noaa.gov or by calling 888-872-8862.
SALTWATER SPECIES YOU CANNOT HARVEST
• All Whales
• Dolphin (mammal)
• Goliath Grouper
• Gulf Sturgeon
(Acipenser oxyrinchus
desotoi)
• Largetooth Sawfish
• Nassau Grouper
• Sea Turtles
• Smalltooth Sawfish
• West Indian Manatee
THREATENED OR ENDANGERED AND PROHIBITED SPECIES
The federally listed threatened and endangered, or prohibited species listed below are off limits for fishing or recreational take. Civil and
criminal penalties may apply for taking the following aquatic species. If any of these protected species are incidentally caught, they must be
released immediately unharmed. For information on safely releasing fish, visit www.wlf.la.gov/page/best-fishing-practices.
• Atlantic Angel Shark
• Basking Shark
• Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark
• Bigeye Sixgill Shark
• Bigeye Thresher Shark
• Bignose Shark
• Caribbean Reef Shark
• Caribbean Sharpnose
Shark
• Dusky Shark
• Galapagos Shark
• Longfin Mako Shark
• Narrowtooth Shark
• Night Shark
• Sand Tiger Shark
• Sevengill Shark
• Sixgill Shark
• Smalltail Shark
• Whale Shark
• White Shark
SHARKS
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The National Marine Fisheries Service has a Memorandum of Agreement with the
National Weather Service to broadcast unanticipated and time-critical fishery regula-
tory actions where there is minimal opportunity for advance public notice. These
broadcasts are issued for four or five days, 24 hours a day, by selected NWR coastal
stations. (VHF frequencies in MHz)
• 162.400
• 162.525
• 162.550
• 162.425
• 162.450
• 162.475
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FISHING IN GULF OF MEXICO FEDERAL WATERS
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council manages federal
waters from where the Louisiana gulfward boundary ends and
extends 200 miles seaward into the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana recre-
ational and commercial anglers fishing beyond the 3 nautical-mile
Louisiana gulfward boundary are in federal waters.
*NOTE: The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a
resolution to clarify the effects of the extension of the state water
boundary from three to nine nautical miles for reef fish manage-
ment purposes, as established by the 2016 Consolidated
Appropriations Act. The resolution clearly states that fishing gear
used by the reef fish fishermen in the commercial and recreational
sectors will not change within these new boundary waters. The fish-
ermen of Louisiana will have the benefit of Louisiana’s reef fish
management to 9 nautical miles, but there will be no change to the
method of take or gear restrictions. Please also note that red drum
are not considered reef fish; therefore, there is no change to regula-
tions impacting this species.
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2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
SALTWATER FISHING
RECREATIONAL SALTWATER TOURNAMENT OPERATORS
Federal regulations require any person conducting a fishing tourna-
ment in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico involving the catch
and/or landing of any HMS regulated species to register with the
HMS Management Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service
at least four weeks prior to start of the tournament. A Tournament
Registration Form and more information is available on the NMFS
website at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/compliance/tournaments/
registration.html.
To register a tournament, an Atlantic HMS Tournament Registration
Form must be completed, signed, and sent to the Atlantic HMS
Management Division by mail or fax.
Fax: 727-824-5398
Mailing Address:
HMS Tournament Registration
National Marine Fisheries Service
263 13th Avenue S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Once the registration form has been processed an Atlantic HMS
Tournament Confirmation Number will be produced and provided
to the tournament operator.
NOTE: Registration is not complete unless the tournament operator
has received a confirmation number from the HMS Management
Division of NMFS. For more information call 727-824-5399;
hmspermits.noaa.gov.
LEGAL METHODS
Some species of gamefish may not be taken with the gear listed below.
• Hook and Line
• Trolling Line
• Handline
• Bait Casting
• Yo-yos or Trigger Devices
• Bow and Arrow
• Dip Nets
• Fly Casting Apparatus
• Recreational Crawfish Traps (must be marked with a waterproof tag, provided by the fisherman, with the name and recreational gear
license number of the fisherman legibly printed on the tag, and must have a minimum mesh size of a hexagon of 3/4 by 11/16 of 1 inch
from wire to wire not including any coating on the wire)
• Standard Spearing Equipment (used by a skin diver sport fishing in saltwater or freshwater when submerged in the water)
• Barbless Spear or Multi-pronged Barbed Gig (may be used in saltwater for taking flounder ONLY)
METHODS FOR FISHING OR TAKING SALTWATER FISH
There are many ways to catch fish and other aquatic species in Louisiana’s beautiful coastal waters. The headings below define the legal
methods and illegal methods of take, plus certain exceptions that are allowed by species, methods and locations.
Always check with an LDWF Enforcement Office if you have questions.
EXCEPTIONS TO METHODS OF TAKE BY SPECIES
An alternative method is allowed for taking red drum. Harvest of any other saltwater species by this method is prohibited.
RED DRUM
LEGAL
• Bow and Arrows
• Standard Spearing Equipment used by a skin diver submerged in water when sport fishing
LDWF reminds charter fishermen with federal reef fish permits that
they are only allowed to fish these new boundary waters when the
federal recreational reef fish season is open. Federal reef fish permit
regulations restrict the permit holder to the most restrictive season.
These waters are also known as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Federal fishing regulations are not always the same as state fishing
regulations. To make sure that you are in complete compliance with
federal regulations call the Gulf Council at 888-833-1844, or e-mail
gulfc[email protected]g. Visit www.gulfcouncil.org for informa-
tion about federal fishing regulations, measurement guidelines,
sanctuaries & closures and fish identification charts.
SALTWATER RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS BY METHOD
SKIN DIVERS
With the exception of freshwater game fish, the only legal method for a skin diver to take fish is when submerged in water using standard
spearing equipment. See page 10 for definition of game fish.
MOBILITY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS
As defined in R.S. 47:463.4(E), mobility impaired persons who are bona fide residents of Louisiana, in possession of valid identification, and
over 60 years of age may use one legal slat trap and/or one hoop net not greater than 18 feet by 8 feet, where those gear are legal, without
a license, only for the purpose of catching catfish and only for home consumption. Starting June 1, 2022, this is no longer valid. Mobility
impaired persons that are bona fide residents of Louisiana in possession of valid identification, and over 60 years of age, must purchase
the applicable license.
21
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
SALTWATER FISHING
ILLEGAL METHODS FOR FISHING OR TAKING ALL FISH
It is unlawful to possess any of the prohibited instruments, weap-
ons, substances or devices described below with the intent to take
fish.
• Crossbows
• Gill Nets (freshwater and saltwater)
• Spears
• Poisons
• Stupefying Substances or Devices
• Explosives
LEGAL BAIT SPECIES
INCLUDING MINNOWS, CRAWFISH AND SHRIMP (not includ-
ing game fish)
LEGAL
• Cast nets
• Minnow traps
• Dip Nets(net must be on a fixed frame no larger than 3 feet in
diameter worked exclusively by hand, by no more than one
person, without any mechanical assistance)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BRINGING YOUR SALTWATER CATCH TO SHORE
All saltwater finfish in the possession of a recreational angler must
have the head and caudal fin intact until set on shore. Garfish may
have the head and caudal fin removed prior to the fish being on
shore as long as a sufficient patch of skin that clearly identifies the
fish remains on the fish.
EXCEPTION: Tuna, swordfish and shark possessed by a recreational
angler must not be skinned or scaled until set or put on shore. Tuna
that meet minimum size requirements may have the head removed
if the carcass length is in excess of the minimum total length. For
more information on Lengths, visit www.wlf.la.gov/page/best-
fishing-practices.
Fillets may not be possessed on the water, except for the purpose
of consumption at sea aboard the harvesting vessel. An individual
must not have more than 2 pounds of finfish parts per person in
state waters, or more than 1.5 pounds of finfish parts per person in
federal waters, on board the vessel, provided that the vessel is
equipped to cook finfish and that the finfish does not exceed appli-
cable bag limits. These provisions do not apply to bait species.
Saltwater finfish caught or transported by a recreational fisherman
are presumed to have been caught in Louisiana waters, for license
requirements.
All regulations regarding these species apply whether caught in
freshwater or saltwater areas.
FILLETS EXCEPTION:
A fisherman who holds and is in possession of a valid recreational
fishing license and can demonstrate to the department’s satisfac-
tion use of a boat launch located south of U.S. Hwy 90 and that the
fisherman has been actively on the water or at a remote camp that
can be accessed only by water for two days or more may possess up
to the possession limit of filleted red drum, spotted seatrout, and
southern flounder. The filleted fish shall have sufficient skin remain-
ing on the fillet to allow for identification of the species and shall be
segregated by species into plastic bags or plastic containers that are
marked by species to allow for easy identification, the date caught,
and the name and license number of the person who took the fish.
The spotted seatrout fillets shall be no less than 10 inches in length
and the red drum fillets shall be no less than 14 inches in length.
The fish shall be in possession only of the person who took the fish.
However, no fisherman shall be actively fishing or engaged in fishing
while in possession of more than the daily take limit.
Louisiana state waters extend 9 nautical miles (10.357 statute miles or
3 marine leagues) seaward from the nearest land, but in some cases
extend further. The EEZ is described as waters that extend seaward
from that point out to 200 miles from the coast.
Recreational anglers onboard a vessel to fish for or possess Gulf reef
fish in the Gulf of Mexico EEZ must possess onboard and use the
required gear as specified below. These devices are required
because they reduce mortality on released fish. For more
information on safely releasing fish, visit www.wlf.la.gov/page/best-
fishing-practices.
Non-stainless steel circle hooks are required when fishing with nat-
ural baits for reef fish.
DEHOOKING DEVICE
At least one dehooking device is required on board and must be used
to remove hooks embedded in Gulf reef fish with minimum damage.
The device must be constructed to allow the hook to be secured and
the barb shielded without reengaging during the removal process.
The dehooking end must be blunt and all edges rounded. The device
must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and
styles used in the Gulf reef fishery.
REQUIRED ONBOARD GEAR FOR FISHING IN GULF OF MEXICO FEDERAL WATERS
• Guns
• Tree-topping Devices
• Any instrument or device capable of producing electric current
to shock fish
• Snagging Devices
You may not use any aircraft including fixed-wing, dirigibles, bal-
loons, helicopters, or any other form of aerial surveillance to assist
in harvesting finfish, except menhaden and herring-like fish.
• Bait Seines (a maximum mesh size not exceeding 1/4-inch bar,
1/2 inch stretched and 30 feet in length; must be operated
solely on foot and by hand, without any pulley, mechanical
device or assistance whatsoever)
• Recreational Trawls, only allowed in state waters when and
where shrimp season is open (see Recreational Shrimping on
page 27).
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2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
SALTWATER FISHING
COMMON COASTAL SPECIES
Size Limit Bag & Possession Limit
COBIA
14
(Ling or Lemonsh)
36” min fork length 2 daily per person
DRUM
16” min total length
27” max total length
BLACK DRUM:
5 daily per person - bag and possession
No more than one over 27” max total length
Redfish
1
:
5 daily per person - bag
2
No more than one over 27” max total length
SOUTHERN FLOUNDER
No Size Limit 10 daily per person
MACKEREL
KING MACKEREL
3
:
24” min fork length
3 daily per person
SPANISH MACKEREL
3
:
12” min fork length
15 daily per person
STRIPED MULLET
No Size Limit 100 lbs. daily
Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout)
4
12” min total length
25 daily per person - bag
2
; 15 daily per person with no more than two over
25” (in specied areas)
HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES
5
Size Limit Bag & Possession Limit
MARLIN
14
BLUE MARLIN:
99” min lower jaw fork length
No Bag or Possession Limit
WHITE MARLIN:
66” min lower jaw fork length
SAILFISH
14
63” min lower jaw fork length No Bag or Possession Limit
Red Drum
Black Drum
Cobia
Striped Mullet
Southern Flounder
Spanish Mackerel
King Mackerel
SALTWATER STATE CREEL AND SIZE LIMITS
Spotted Seatrout
Unless otherwise established, there are no size limits on species not listed and unless otherwise noted,
possession limits for saltwater fish are the same as the daily bag limit.
Blue Marlin
White Marlin
Sailsh
23
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
SALTWATER FISHING
HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES
5
Size Limit Bag & Possession Limit
SHARK
6
ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE & BONNETHEAD SHARK
6
:
None
1 daily per person - possession. All shark harvest
prohibited from April 1 - June 30
SHORTFIN MAKO SHARK
6
:
Males: 71” min fork length
Females: 83” min fork length
1 in aggregate per vessel per trip - possession. No silky
or sandbar sharks. No prohibited species. All shark
harvest prohibited from April 1 - June 30. (See
complete list of Prohibited Sharks on page 25)
OTHER SHARKS (EXCEPT Prohibited silky and sandbar)
6
:
54” min fork length
SWORDFISH
7,14
29” min carcass length or
33 lbs. min dressed weight
Not more than 5 per vessel per trip
TUNA
8,14
BLUEFIN TUNA
8
:
73” min curved fork length
1 per vessel per year with appropriate federal permit
as incidental catch during the open season
BIGEYE TUNA
8
:
27” min curved fork length
No Bag or Possession Limit
YELLOWFIN TUNA
8
:
27” min curved fork length
3 daily per person
REEF FISH
3
*NOTE:
- Species within the 20 fish aggregate bag limit are Vermilion Snapper, Lane Snapper, Almaco Jack, Gray Triggerfish, Tilefish, Goldface Tilefish, and
Blueline Tilefish.
- Species within the 10 fish aggregate bag limit are all snappers (Gray, Mutton, Yellowtail, Cubera, Queen, Blackfin, Silk and Wenchman) except
Red, Vermilion and Lane.
Size Limit Bag & Possession Limit
GROUPER
9,10,14
BLACK & GAG
9
: 24” min total length
4 daily in aggregate
No more than 1 speckled hind and 1 Warsaw grouper
per vessel, not more than 2 red grouper per person,
and not more than 2 gag per person included in the
bag limit
RED & YELLOWFIN
9
: 20” min total length
SCAMP
9
: 16” min total length
GOLIATH & NASSAU: Take Prohibited Take/Possession Prohibited
SNAPPER
14
RED
10,11
: 16” min total length 2 daily per person
10 & 11
MUTTON: 18” min total length
10 daily per person in aggregate with no more than 5
mutton snapper
3
*
QUEEN, BLACKFIN, SILK & WENCHMAN: None
mangrove12” min
total length
LANE: 8” min total length
20 daily per person in aggregate, with no more than 1
gray triggerfish and not more than 10 vermilion
snapper per person included in the bag limit
3
*
VERMILION: 10” min total length
Swordsh
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Bluen Tuna
Bigeye Tuna
Yellown Tuna
Gag Grouper
Red Snapper
Gray Snapper
Lane Snapper
Shortn Mako Shark
Blacktip Shark
24
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
REEF FISH AND OTHER
3
Size Limit Bag & Possession Limit
ALMACO JACK
No Size Limit 20 daily per person in aggregate*
GRAY TRIGGERFISH
12
15” min fork length
1 daily per person in aggregate
3
*
TILEFISH (Goldface & Blueline)
No Size Limit 20 daily per person in aggregate*
AMBERJACK
13
GREATER
10,13
: 34” min fork length 1 daily per person
3
LESSER & BANDED RUDDERFISH
13
:
14-22” fork length slot limit
5 daily per person in aggregate
HOGFISH
14” min fork length 5 daily per person
TRIPLETAIL
18” min total length 5 daily per person
SALTWATER FISHING
Almaco Jack
Gray Triggersh
Greater Amberjack
Hogsh
Blueline Tilesh
Tripletail
Images by Duane Raver
EXPLANATION OF SALTWATER CREEL & SIZE LIMITS
1
RED DRUM (REDFISH) AND SPOTTED SEATROUT (SPECKLED TROUT)
Recreational saltwater anglers may possess a two days’ bag limit on land; however, no person shall be in possession of fish over the daily bag
limit in any one day or while fishing or while on the water, unless that recreational saltwater angler is aboard a trawler engaged in commer-
cial fishing for a consecutive period of longer than 25 hours. Take or possession of red drum in federal waters is prohibited.
The possession limit for red drum and spotted seatrout taken south of U.S. Hwy 90 shall be three times the daily take limit when the fisher-
man holds and is in possession of a valid recreational fishing license and can show a landing receipt from a public boat launch located south
of U.S. Hwy 90 that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the fisherman has been actively on the water or at a remote
camp that can be accessed only by water for two days or more. The fish shall be kept whole or whole gutted in separate bags for each species
of fish. The bags shall be marked with the date the fish were taken, the species, the number of fish contained in the bag, and the name and
license number of the person taking the fish. The fish shall only be in the possession of the person who took the fish. However, no fisherman
shall be actively fishing or engaged in fishing while in possession of more than the daily take limit.
2
OFF-WATER BAG LIMIT
Two days’ bag limit allowed in possession off of the water, not while fishing or in a boat EXCEPT as mentioned above in relation to south of
U.S. Hwy 90.
3
CHARTER VESSELS & HEADBOATS
Two-day limit allowed in possession only on charter vessels and headboats on multi day trips, if the vessels have two licensed operators, as
required by the U.S. Coast Guard for trips more than 12 hours, and if each angler has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel
verifying the length of the trip.
25
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
SALTWATER FISHING
5
HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES
An HMS Permit is required for all owners/operator of vessels in the
Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated
species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks. The Atlantic HMS
Permits will be valid from the date of issuance through Dec. 31,
2021. The permit fee is $20. NOTE: This permit requires the
reporting of all recreationally caught swordfish, billfish, and
bluefin tuna within 24 hours of landing that species, please see
hmspermits.noaa.gov/catchReports for more details.
An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all char-
ter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS
in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The HMS Charter/Headboat
Permit will be valid from the date of issuance through Dec. 31,
2021. The permit fee is $20.
For information about contact the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) Permitting Office at 1-888-872-8862 or 727-824-5399 or
visit the NMFS Permit Shop at hmspermits.noaa.gov. For complete
HMS regulations, contact the HMS Management Division at 301-
713-2347 or visit the website at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/
atlantic-highly-migratory-species. See page 19 for a complete listing
of Highly Migratory Species contact information.
6
SHARKS
Other seasons and rules may be currently in place in Federal waters
off Louisiana, please check those rules at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
rules-and-regulations.
CLOSED SEASON
All Louisiana state waters seaward to the gulfward boundary of the
Louisiana Territorial Sea shall be closed to the recreational and com-
mercial harvest and possession of all sharks between April 1 and June
30 of each year.
SMALL COASTAL SHARKS
Atlantic sharpnose shark; bonnethead shark; blacknose shark; fine-
tooth shark
LARGE COASTAL SHARKS
Blacktip shark; nurse shark; smooth hammerhead; bull shark; sand-
bar shark*; spinner shark; great hammerhead; scalloped hammer-
head; tiger shark; lemon shark; silky shark*
*NOTE: Recreational harvest of sandbar and silky sharks (ridgeback
sharks) is not allowed.
PELAGIC SHARKS
Blue shark; porbeagle shark; thresher shark; oceanic whitetip shark;
shortfin mako
NOTE: A person subject to a bag limit shall not possess at any time,
regardless of the number of trips or the duration of a trip, any shark
in excess of the bag limits listed under Highly Migratory Species on
Saltwater Creel and Size Limits chart (page 23). The practice of “fin-
ning,” that is, removing only the fins and returning the remainder of
the shark to the sea, is prohibited within and without Louisiana
waters. Notwithstanding other provisions of this part, a person may
fish for, but not retain, white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) with
rod and reel only under a catch-and-release program, provided the
person releases and returns such fish to the sea immediately with a
minimum of injury (For tips on safely releasing fish, visit www.wlf.
la.gov/page/best-fishing-practices).
PROHIBITED SHARKS
The following is a list of shark species that are prohibited: Atlantic
angel shark, sand tiger shark, dusky shark, bigeye sand tiger shark,
sixgill shark, largetooth sawfish, bigeye thresher shark, smalltooth
sawfish, narrowtooth shark, Caribbean reef shark, white shark,
Caribbean sharpnose shark, basking shark, sevengill shark, Galapagos
shark, bigeye sixgill shark, smalltail shark, longfin mako, bignose
shark, whale shark and night shark. No sandbar or silky sharks may
be retained under a recreational bag limit.
12-inch minimum total length, 25 fish per person daily bag limit.
EXCEPT: 15 fish daily bag and possession limit, with no more than
two spotted seatrout exceeding 25 inches total length, regardless of
where taken in a defined area of Cameron and Calcasieu parishes
located in southwestern Louisiana. The defined area, including
coastal territorial waters, is as follows: south of Interstate 10 from
its junction at the Texas-Louisiana boundary eastward to its junction
with Louisiana Highway 171, south to Highway 14, south to
Holmwood, and then south on Highway 27 through Gibbstown,
south to Louisiana Highway 82 at Creole and south on Highway 82
4
SPOTTED SEATROUT (SPECKLED TROUT)
to Oak Grove, then due south to the western shore of the
Mermentau River, following this shoreline south to the junction
with the Gulf of Mexico, and then due south to the limit of the state
territorial sea. Under the authority of the provisions of R. S.
56:325.1(A), the daily bag and possession limit shall be 15 fish,
regardless of where taken, with no more than two spotted seatrout
exceeding 25 inches total length. Those spotted seatrout exceeding
25 inches in length shall be considered as part of the daily recre-
ational bag and possession limit.
7
SWORDFISH
Recreational fishing vessels shall not possess more than five swordfish per vessel per trip. Swordfish taken under a recreational bag limit shall
not be sold, purchased, exchanged, bartered, or attempted to be sold, purchased, exchanged or bartered. No person aboard any vessel shall
transfer or cause the transfer of swordfish between vessels on state or federal waters. All recreationally harvested swordfish must be
reported, see hmspermits.noaa.gov/catchReports or call (800) 894-5528.
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2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
SALTWATER FISHING
Anglers fishing for tunas within or outside Louisiana state waters are
subject to both state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Federal
regulations regarding the recreational harvest of tunas change
often, especially for bluefin tuna. Prior to angling for or harvest of
tuna, be aware of the most current federal regulations for fishing or
harvest, including sizes, bag limits and closed seasons. For updates
on tuna quota monitoring and tuna retention limit adjustments,
anglers may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at 888-872-
8862. The “Atlantic Tunas Regulations Brochure” is available at
hmspermits.noaa.gov/library and announcements of changes may
be accessed via the web at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-
announcements/notices-and-rules.
Permanent Louisiana regulations on tuna harvest may be superseded
by seasonal changes within the federal regulatory system. See the
following websites (www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/species/tunas/
index.html and www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-announcements/
notices-and-rules) for current federal regulations. State requirements
regarding tuna regulations may also be subject to change, please
refer to the LDWF website for current information: www.wlf.la.gov/
fishing/saltwater-seasons-limits and www.wlf.la.gov/regulations.
BLUEFIN TUNA
All bluefin tuna must be reported within 24 hours of landing to
NMFS by calling 888-872-8862 or visiting hmspermits.noaa.gov. For
further information about angling category permits call the NMFS
HMS Division at 888-872-8862 or 301-713-2347. Federal quotas
and regulations for bluefin tuna can change often, be aware of the
most current bluefin tuna regulations and federal seasons by visit-
ing hmspermits.noaa.gov.
8
TUNA
10
CHARTER CAPTAIN & CREW
No harvest of red snapper, greater amberjack or grouper of any species is allowed for the captain and crew of vessel under charter (their
creel limit/bag limit is zero).
11
RED SNAPPER
Regulations for the recreational harvest of red snapper in Louisiana state waters may change frequently. For current red snapper seasons,
bag limits, and possession information check the LDWF website at: www.wlf.la.gov/fishing/recreational-fishing.
9
GROUPER
There is a closed season for the recreational harvest of gag from Jan. 1 through May 31 of each year. A closed season for the recreational
harvest of black, red, yellowfin and yellowmouth groupers as well as scamp has also been established from Feb. 1 - March 31 of each year
sea-ward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) curve.
Other seasons and rules are currently in place in Federal waters off of Louisiana. Please check those rules at www.gulfcouncil.org under
“Fishing Regulations.”
12
GRAY TRIGGERFISH
There is a closed season for the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish from Jan. 1 through the end of February and from June 1 - July 31
annually.
13
AMBERJACK
The recreational greater amberjack season is open May 1-31. There is a fixed closed season from June 1 - July 31. The season reopens Aug.
1 - Oct. 31, or until the annual quota is met or projected to be met. For more information, go to www.wlf.la.gov/news?cat=18 OR sero.nmfs.
noaa.gov/fishery_bulletins/2018/021/index.html.
14
RECREATIONAL OFFSHORE LANDING PERMIT (ROLP)
All recreational anglers, including those not normally required to have a fishing license, and charter captains must obtain an ROLP to possess
tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, dolphinfish, wahoo, and cobia. Charter captains mush obtain a Charter ROLP
in order to conduct trips possessing tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, dolphinfish, wahoo, and cobia. Anglers
on a paid for-hire trip (if the licensed charter guide on board has a valid Charter ROLP) and anglers 17 years of age or younger are not required
to have an ROLP (see pages 7 & 19 for details).
27
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OTHER SEASONS
Trawl, skimmer and butterfly nets cannot be used for any purpose
in state waters during the closed shrimp season. Shrimp seasons are
flexible and are determined by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission based upon biological and technical data relative to
shrimp populations as well as public input. The spring inshore sea-
son usually begins in early to mid-May, and may extend into July.
The fall inshore season usually begins near mid-August and typically
extends into December. The shrimp season in Louisiana’s outside
territorial waters is generally open year round EXCEPT for a closed
season in portions of state outside waters, which may be set during
the late winter to early spring months, usually beginning in
December or January and extending into March or May. The shrimp
season in the EEZ is usually open year-round.
NOTE: Restricted areas exist within WMAs, refuges and other areas
and may be closed to certain gear types or methods of fishing.
Check with your local LDWF Office or refer to the WMA and Refuge
section of this pamphlet.
SEASONS
RECREATIONAL SHRIMPING
HARVEST AREAS
For management purposes, Louisiana’s state waters are divided into
inside and outside waters. The “shrimp line” separates these
waters. It generally follows the coastline from the Louisiana/Texas
state line to the Louisiana/Mississippi state line. Inside waters
(landward of the shrimp line) are inshore waters; outside waters
(seaward out to three nautical miles) are the territorial seas. Inside
waters are further divided by major estuarine basin. The current
shrimp line can be found in LAC 76:370 or at www.wlf.la.gov/
amended_shrimp_line. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission (Commission) may amend the shrimp line due to
environmental changes. See the latest coordinates at www.wlf.la.
gov/fishing/insideoutside-shrimp-line.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), the
Commission, and the Louisiana Legislature are responsible for man-
aging the shrimp fishery in inshore waters and the territorial seas.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and NOAA
Fisheries are responsible for federal waters.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
CAST NET LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Basic Fishing License
2. Saltwater Fishing License*
TRAWL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Basic Fishing License
2. Saltwater Fishing License*
3. Trawl License. Starting June 1, 2022, the Trawl License will be
included in the Saltwater Fishing License.
CAST NETS, DIP NETS AND BAIT SEINES
A recreational fisherman is allowed to use dip nets, bait seines, and cast nets not to exceed 8.5 feet in radius. Recreational fishermen shall
not take at any time more than 50 pounds of shrimp per day during closed shrimp season and 100 pounds of shrimp per day during the open
season, in the aggregate, per boat or vehicle, regardless of the number of persons thereon. Shrimp taken are to be used for bait or for the
fisherman’s own consumption and are not sold, traded or otherwise permitted to enter into commerce. Certain WMAs and state or federal
refuges may have different rules. Always check with an LDWF Enforcement Office if you have questions.
RESTRICTIONS ON NIGHT SHRIMPING
• Night shrimping is prohibited between the hours of one-half
hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise in the follow-
ing areas: Vermilion Bay, East and West Cote Blanche bays, and
in Atchafalaya Bay, from the western shore of Vermilion Bay to
the western shore of the Atchafalaya River and the Atchafalaya
SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS
• No size limit on any saltwater shrimp taken during the spring
open season in Louisiana.
• No size limit on brown shrimp or seabobs taken during any
open season.
There is a minimum possession of 100 count (whole shrimp per
pound) on white shrimp taken in either inside or outside (offshore)
waters of Louisiana. This size restriction applies to the taking or
possession of such shrimp aboard a vessel.
EXCEPTION: There is no possession count on white shrimp taken or
possessed from Oct. 15 through the third Monday in December.
When more than 50 percent by weight of the shrimp taken or pos-
sessed is seabobs or brown shrimp, the maximum allowable
amount of undersized white shrimp taken or possessed shall not
exceed 10 percent by weight of the total shrimp taken or possessed.
River Ship Channel out to Eugene Island as described by the
inside-outside line.
• Trawling at night is prohibited in Cameron Parish sections of
Calcasieu Lake, the Black Lake Bayou System, Grand Bayou,
Little Burton’s Ditch, Grand Lake, and White Lake.
4. Federal Shrimp Vessel Permit required for vessels fishing
shrimp in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (EEZ)
No license required for use of bait seines and dip nets.
Starting June 1, 2022, a hook and line is required for anyone tak-
ing shrimp using any of the following gear: dip net, landing net,
crab net, or minnow trap
* A saltwater license only needs to be purchased if planning to fish
in the saltwater area as described in 56:322(A)&(B)
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2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
OTHER SEASONS
TRAWLS
Trawls cannot have a mesh size less than 5/8-inch bar or 1 and 1/4
inches stretched. In that portion of state inside waters from the
western shore of the Atchafalaya River to the western shore of
Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island, mesh size must
not be less than 3/4-inch bar or 1 and 1/2 inches stretched during
the fall inshore shrimp season.
TRAWLING DURING OPEN SEASON AND POSSESSION LIMITS
During the open shrimping seasons trawls 25 feet and less are
allowed for recreational purposes.
Recreational shrimpers using trawls 16 feet in length or less are
limited to 100 pounds (heads on) of shrimp per boat per day.
Recreational shrimpers using trawls greater than 16 feet in length
are limited to no more than 250 pounds of (heads-on) shrimp per
day per boat.
Shrimp taken recreationally may only be used for bait or the fisher-
man’s own consumption and may not be sold, traded or otherwise
permitted to enter commerce.
Federal Turtle Excluder Device (TED) regulations require any shrimp
trawler in the Gulf Area to have an approved TED installed in each
net that is rigged for fishing. However, certain exemptions to these
requirements may apply (e.g. vessels without mechanical advantage
or power net retrieval, test trawls). A net is rigged for fishing if it is in
the water, or if it is shackled, tied, or otherwise connected to any
trawl door or board, or to any tow rope, cable, pole or extension,
either on board or attached in any manner to the shrimp trawler.
More information concerning federal shrimp vessel permits, Turtle
Excluder Device (TED) and Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRD) require-
ments and exemptions can be obtained by contacting the NOAA
Fisheries Service at 727-824-5312 for TEDs or 727- 824-5305 for
BRDs or at www.nmfs.noaa.gov. Detailed information on TEDs may
be found at the following link to the NOAA Fisheries website www.
nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/teds.html.
TRAWLING RESTRICTIONS
• No net or beam trawl used for taking fish or shrimp from the
saltwater areas of the state is allowed to be left unattended.
• Taking shrimp with saltwater trawls from May 1 - Sept. 15 each
year is prohibited in state waters on the south side of Grand
Isle from Caminada Pass to Barataria Pass in Jefferson Parish;
from the southeast side of the Caminada bridge to the north-
west side of Barataria Pass at Fort Livingston, extending from
the beach side of Grand Isle to a distance of 500 feet beyond
the shoreline into the Gulf of Mexico.
• Trawls cannot be used for any purpose in state waters during
the closed shrimp season.
• No person is allowed to trawl over any privately leased bedding
grounds or oyster propagating place that is staked off, marked
or posted as required by law or regulation.
• Trawling is prohibited in Lake Maurepas and that portion of
Lake Pontchartrain from the shoreline to 1.25 miles out from
the Jefferson/Orleans Parish line east to the eastern shore of
South Point, from South Point to North Shore along the rail-
road bridge west from North Shore to Goose Point.
• Trawling is prohibited between the railroad bridge and
Interstate 10 in Lake Pontchartrain.
• Trawls are prohibited in the waters of Bayou Judge Perez
(Bayou Hermitage) from its entrance into Lake Judge Perez
(Lake Hermitage) to Devils Bayou, a distance of approximately
1 mile, located in Plaquemines Parish.
• Trawling is prohibited north of the LA Highway 631 Bridge at
Des Allemands, Louisiana, and in Lac Des Allemands, its
streams and tributaries.
• Trawling is also prohibited in the cove immediately adjacent to
Cypremort Point State Park landward of a line from Blue Point
to Cypremort Point.
RECREATIONAL OYSTERING
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Basic Fishing License
2. Saltwater Fishing License
3. A Recreational Tonging License is required for each tong in use. Starting June 1, 2022, the Recreational Tonging License will be includ-
ed in the Saltwater Fishing License.
4. A Senior Fishing License is required of residents who turned 60 years of age on or after June 1, 2000, to take oysters.
METHODS OF TAKE
Recreational oyster harvest for home consumption is limited to
tonging or gathering by hand.
RESTRICTIONS ON METHODS OF TAKE
• Recreational oyster harvest is allowed only from public oyster
areas open for the harvesting of oysters or from private leases
on which the fisherman is authorized to take oysters.
Recreational oyster fishermen may harvest oysters from a pri-
vate lease only with the written permission of the leaseholder.
At no time will the act of harvesting oysters be permitted in
areas closed to oyster harvest. The culling of oysters (the act of
separating undersized oysters or dead shell and returning to
the water), must occur over the reefs where harvest occurred.
• The harvest or take of oysters during the period of one-half hour
after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise is prohibited.
• Oysters taken from the reefs of Louisiana either for sale or
consumption must be landed in Louisiana, except with a valid
out-of-state oyster-landing permit and with the fisherman
being in compliance with all other rules and regulations.
29
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OTHER SEASONS
SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS
• All oysters taken from public oyster areas must be 3 inches or greater in length from hinge to mouth. Size limits do not apply to oysters
taken from private leases.
• Recreational oyster harvesters are limited to two sacks per person per day for personal consumption, except in the Calcasieu Lake Public
Oyster area where the limit is set at one sack per person per day.
• Possession limits apply to oysters taken from a private lease and public grounds.
SEASONS
The LWFC determines the public oyster areas to be opened for oyster fishing by opening and closing the seasons as biological and technical data
indicates. The owner of an oyster lease or his/her designee, with written permission, may fish oysters at any time of year on their lease.
EXCEPTION: Public oyster areas opened by the LWFC and private leases may, however, be closed by the Louisiana Department of Health
(LDH) for public health reasons. Information on LDH closed areas is available at ldh.la.gov.
RECREATIONAL CRABBING
METHODS OF TAKE
• Blue crabs or stone crabs can be taken with any legal crab trap,
crab drop net, trawl, hoop net, trotline, handline, bushline, dip
net or cast net.
• The taking of crabs by means of trawls in inside waters is per-
mitted only during the open season for shrimp and with legal
mesh sizes. For legal mesh sizes refer to the section about
trawls listed under Recreational Shrimping.
• Gear restrictions may exist within certain wildlife management
areas (WMAs), refuges or other areas.
RESTRICTIONS ON METHODS OF TAKE
• Dredges are not allowed for the intentional taking of crabs.
• No person may possess adult female crabs in the berry stage
(i.e., carrying the eggs or young attached to the abdomen). All
crabs taken in the berry stage by any means must be returned
immediately to the waters.
• No crab traps shall be set in navigable channels or entrances to
streams. Traps must be placed so vessels can safely navigate.
• Metal tackle or metal crab traps shall not be used in any of the
public waters north of the Intracoastal Waterway in the
Calcasieu River or in any body of water comprising the
Calcasieu River System north of the Intracoastal Canal or in the
waters of Vermilion Bay from Cypremort Point 1 mile offshore
to Blue Point.
• Crab traps are prohibited in the Tchefuncte River.
• The use of crab traps may be prohibited for derelict crab trap
removal in 2022 for portions of February and/or March.
(NOTE: Please check our website for the most recent informa-
tion).
• NOTE: During the 2019 legislative session, language was
amended regarding the placement of escape rings in crab traps.
REQUIRED LICENSES
1. No license is required for any person using crab nets or crab lines for the purpose of taking crabs, unless they are fishing on a WMA or
state refuge. Starting June 1, 2022, a Hook and Line License or a Saltwater Fishing License will be required for crab nets or crab lines.
2. Persons harvesting crabs on LDWF WMAs or refuges must possess a basic recreational fishing license or a Wild Louisiana Stamp.
Starting June 1, 2022, the license required to take crabs depending on method and a WMA Access Permit will be required.
3. A Recreational Crab Trap Gear License is required to use crab traps.* Starting June 1, 2022, only a Saltwater Fishing License is required.
There is a limit of 10 traps per licensed fisherman. Crab traps may be prohibited on certain LDWF WMAs and refuges. Consult fishing
regulations on WMAs and refuges for more details.
*If using crab traps in the saltwater area, as defined in 56:322(A)&(B), one must also possess a saltwater license.
LEASES
For information on Oyster Leases visit www.wlf.la.gov/fishing/oyster-lease-section or call (504) 284-5279.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
2045 Lakeshore Dr., Ste. 422
New Orleans, LA 70122
SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS
• There is no minimum recreational size limit for blue crabs. The limit is 12 dozen per person, daily and in possession.
• Certain WMAs and state and federal refuges may have different possession limits. Consult a local LDWF or Enforcement Office for spe-
cifics (see WMA and Refuge Regulations on page 33).
• There is no minimum recreational size limit for stone crabs or stone crab claws.
30
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
OTHER SEASONS
ABOUT CRAB TRAPS
• A crab trap is a cube-shaped device, constructed of wire, no
larger than 30 inches on any side, and with either a bait box or
materials providing cover or shelter for peeler crabs. The
entrance funnels must extend no further than 7 inches into the
inside of the trap, with the openings to the entrance funnels
on the vertical wall of the trap such that the horizontal diame-
ter of each opening is at least one and one-half times the ver-
tical diameter of the opening.
• Certain traps advertised by retail outlets as crab/fish/crawfish traps
may not be legal. If unsure that the trap you purchased or plan to
use is legal, please consult your local Enforcement Agent.
• The baiting, tending, checking or removing of serviceable crab
traps in use, the contents of such crab traps or their lines,
buoys or markers is prohibited in public waters from one-half
hour after legal sunset until one-half hour before legal sunrise.
• Crab traps that are no longer serviceable or no longer in use must
be removed by the owner and properly disposed of or stored.
• No person other than the licensee or his/her agent shall inten-
tionally damage or destroy serviceable crab traps or the floats
or lines to which they are attached, nor shall they remove the
contents thereof.
• Each crab trap shall be marked with a 2-inch stainless steel
self-locking tag attached to the center of the trap ceiling. Tags
shall be supplied by the fishermen and shall have the recre-
ational crab trap gear license number printed thereon. Crabbers
are allowed to use a durable plastic bait box marker as an alter-
nate means of tagging crab taps. Crab traps may be attached to
a trotline to which at least one end is attached to a non-floating
line and a visible float of at least 6 inches in diameter or 2-gallon
volume size. Crab traps located in areas designated as freshwa-
ter north of the northern bank of the Intracoastal Waterway
and west of Louisiana Hwy 70 and those areas located on the
eastern side of the Mississippi River and inland from the saltwa-
ter line are not required to be marked with a float and float line,
unless the trap is placed in a lake. Each crab trap on a trotline
shall be registered with LDWF and shall have attached to it a tag
bearing the crab fisherman’s license number. This is the LDWF
number located at the top of your license.
• All crab traps are required to be marked with a solid float at
least 6 inches in diameter. The float must be attached to the
trap with a non-floating line at least 1/4 inch in diameter. West
of Louisiana Hwy 70, there is no mark required.
• Each trap shall have a minimum of three escape rings. A mini-
mum of two escape rings shall be located in the upper chamber
flush with the baffle. A minimum of one escape ring shall be
located in the lower chamber no greater than one mesh length
from the trap floor. As of July 1, 2022, all escape rings shall be
located no greater than one mesh length from the corners. The
minimum sizes of the rings shall be 2-3/8 inches in inside diam-
eter, not including the ring material. The rings shall be rigid and
attached to the trap with material of an equal or smaller diame-
ter than the wire strands of the trap. Except from April 1 through
June 30 and from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, escape ring openings
shall not be obstructed with any material that prevents or ham-
pers exit of crabs. However, the provisions of this shall not apply
to any crab trap constructed of wire mesh 2 and 5/16 inches
square or greater.
RECREATIONAL CRAWFISHING
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Basic Fishing License
2. A Recreational Crawfish Trap Gear License is required to use
crawfish traps in public waters. Starting June 1, 2022, the
Crawfish Trap Gear License will be included in the Basic
Fishing License.
METHODS OF TAKE
Crawfish may be taken with any legal crawfish trap, crawfish net,
hoop net, wire net, handline, bushline, bait seine or dip net. A cast
net must not exceed 8.5 feet in radius. Crawfish traps may be pro-
hibited on certain LDWF WMAs and refuges. Consult fishing regula-
tions on WMA’s and Refuges for more details.
CRAWFISH TRAP
A crawfish trap is defined as any device constructed of coated wire
with the opening of the throats or flues not exceeding 2 inches, and
which is used for the express use of taking crawfish. Crawfish traps
are typically of the pillow style or cone style with minimum mesh
size no smaller than 3/4 inches by 11/16 inches. Traps must have a
minimum mesh size of a hexagon of 3/4 by 11/16 of 1 inch from
wire to wire not including any coating on the wire.
Crawfish traps must be marked with a waterproof tag, provided by
the fisherman, with the name and recreational gear license number
of the fisherman legibly printed on the tag.
CRAWFISH NET
A crawfish net is defined as any device constructed with vegetable
or synthetic material without flues or throats attached to a wire
frame that forms a net basket and is used for the purpose of taking
crawfish.
SEASONS
There is no closed season for wild crawfish harvest EXCEPT for some wildlife management areas and state and federal refuges (see WMAs
and Refuges on page 33).
EXCEPTIONS
• A Basic Recreational Fishing License or a Wild Louisiana Stamp
is required to use crawfish nets, dip nets, hand lines, or bait
seines on LDWF WMAs or refuges. Starting June 1, 2022, a
WMA Access Permit will be required.
• A Basic Recreational Fishing License or a gear license is not
required to use crawfish nets, dip nets, hand lines or bait
seines for taking crawfish recreationally. Starting June 1, 2022
a hook and line or a Basic Fishing License must be purchased
to use crawfish nets, dip nets, hand lines or bait seines for
taking crawfish recreationally.
SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS
• There is no minimum size for crawfish.
• The bag and possession limit for crawfish is 150 pounds daily per person in state waters.
• No more than 35 traps may be used per person while fishing recreationally for crawfish.
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OTHER SEASONS
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS
METHODS FOR COLLECTING OR CATCHING THESE SPECIES
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Basic Resident or Non-Resident Fishing License.
The regulations listed below apply to all frogs, salamanders, lizards,
snakes, turtles and related species. All reptiles and amphibians
caught are for personal (non-commercial) use only. These regula-
tions do not include alligators. For alligator regulations visit www.
wlf.la.gov. Always check with an LDWF Enforcement Office if you
have questions.
ILLEGAL METHODS OF TAKE FOR ALL REPTILES AND
AMPHIBIANS
• Removal of nesting or nest-tending animals is prohibited.
• Use of gasoline to flush animals from hiding places is prohibited.
• Natural cover such as stumps and logs may not be destroyed
while searching for animals.
• Additional illegal methods of take are species specific and
are grouped accordingly.
SPECIES YOU CANNOT HARVEST
• Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
• Southern red backed salamander (Plethodon serratus)
• Webster’s salamander (Plethodon websteri)
• Mud salamander (Pseudotriton montanus)
• Red salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)
THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES
The following federally listed threatened and endangered, or pro-
hibited species are off limits for recreational take. Civil and criminal
penalties may apply for taking the following aquatic species. If any
of these protected species are incidentally caught, they must be
released unharmed immediately:
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS AND STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS
WMAs, state refuges and federal lands may have specific regulations regarding open seasons, harvest and gear restrictions. For state or
federally regulated areas refer to the “WMAs, Refuges and Federal Lands” section on page 33.
ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLES
• No size limit.
• Take is limited to no more than one snapping turtle per day, per person, per vehicle/vessel.
DIAMONDBACK TERRAPINS
• Must measure 6 inches or more carapace length.
• Legal during all months except between the dates of April 15 - June 15.
• It is illegal to take this species by a trap of any kind.
BOX TURTLES
• Take is limited to two box turtles per day.
• Possession is limited to four box turtles of the genus Terrapene at any time.
TURTLE EGGS
• No turtle eggs may be taken except for those of the red eared slider.
TURTLE TRAPS
• Traps must be checked daily.
• Must be marked as “turtle trap.”
• Must be open above water to allow breathing.
• Must be constructed as a horizontal, single-throated device.
• It is illegal to possess finfish while turtle trapping.
Carapace
Length
TURTLES
• Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
• Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
• Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
• Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
• Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)
• Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)
• Ringed map turtle (Graptemys oculifera)
• Dusky gopher frog (Rana sevosa)
• Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
• Louisiana pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni)
• Black pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi)
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2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
OTHER SEASONS
FROGS
LEGAL METHOD OF TAKE
• Frogs may be taken using any visible light and mechanical devices
known as frog catchers or with devices that puncture the skin, such
as gigs or spears.
ILLEGAL METHOD OF TAKE
• Possession of firearms while taking or hunting frogs at night is pro-
hibited.
BULLFROGS AND PIG FROGS
• Length requirements (measured from tip of the muzzle to the pos-
terior end of the body between the hind legs)
• Bullfrogs harvested must be 5 inches or larger.
• Pig frogs harvested must be 3 inches or larger.
• Frogs harvested on private lands, ponds or waters where the indi-
vidual is an authorized representative are not limited by length
requirements.
• Harvest is legal during all months of the year except April and May.
Frog
Length
The Sport Fish Restoration Program is a “user pays, user benets” system of
resource management. The federal and state governments, the sport shing
industry, anglers and boaters formed the cooperative eort to increase
boating and sport shing opportunities.
The cycle of funding (illustrated
to the left) shows how Louisiana
anglers and outdoor enthusiasts
support the Sport Fish Restoration
Program, and the benets they
receive in return.
33
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
WMAs, REFUGES & FEDERAL LANDS
FISHING REGULATIONS ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS, REFUGES &
FEDERAL LANDS
Use of airboats, aircraft, personal water craft, “mud crawling ves-
sels” (commonly referred to as crawfish combines which use paddle
wheels for locomotion) and hover craft is prohibited on WMAs,
EXCEPT type A personal water craft, model year 2003 and beyond,
which are eight feet in length and greater, may be operated within
WMAs from April 1 until the Monday of Labor Day weekend, from
sunrise to sunset only, and EXCEPT personal water craft are allowed
on designated portions of Alexander State Forest WMA year
around. No person shall operate such watercraft at a speed greater
than “slow/no wake” within 100 feet of an anchored or moored
vessel, shoreline, dock, pier or persons engaged in angling or any
other manually powered vessel.
Operation of internal combustion powered vessels within designat-
ed Limited Access Areas (LAAs) prohibited during the months of
September through January. Trolling motors may be used to access
and navigate within LAAs. Vehicles prohibited November through
January. LAAs are on Atchafalaya Delta, Boeuf, Dewey W. Wills,
Joyce, Manchac, Pass-A-Loutre, Pointe-Aux-Chenes and Russell Sage
WMAs. See WMA maps for specific locations.
Operation of vessels beyond bare steerage speed (the slowest
speed a vessel can travel while maintaining directional control) in no
wake zones prohibited.
A Self-Clearing Permit is required for ALL ACTIVITIES on WMAs. The
Self-Clearing Permit consists of two portions: Check In and Check
Out.
• All persons must obtain a WMA Self-Clearing Permit from a
Self-Clearing Permit Station or check in/out electronically
through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app/Internet Web por-
tal. If checking in through a Self-Clearing Permit Station check-
in portion must be completed and put in a permit box before
each day’s activity on the day of the activity. Users may check
in one day in advance of use.
• The check-out portion must be carried by each person while
on the WMA and must be completed and put in a permit box
immediately upon exiting the WMA
• Self-Clearing Permits are not required of fishers and boaters
who enter a WMA via watercraft from outside the WMA, pro-
vided they do not get out of the watercraft and onto WMA
property.
• Self-Clearing Permits are not required for motorists traveling
through the WMA provided that the most direct route is taken
and no activities or stops take place.
Operating, modifying, tampering with or altering water control
structures on WMAs is prohibited.
Additional restrictions may apply at some WMAs. The following
information includes specific restrictions by WMA. For additional
information, contact your local LDWF Office.
For National Wildlife Refuges, please contact the area offices as
follows:
• North Louisiana Complex -
318-726-4222
• Central Louisiana Complex -
318-253-4238
• Southeast Louisiana Complex -
985-882-2000
• Southwest Louisiana Complex -
337-598-2216
For fishing information on the Indian Bayou Recreational Area with-
in the Atchafalaya Basin or the Bonne Carre Spillway contact the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers at 337-585-0853.
For fishing information within the Catahoula and Red Dirt National
Wildlife Management Preserves, contact Kisatchie National forest
318-473-7160.
Wildlife management areas (WMAs), refuges and certain federal lands may have special fishing seasons and bag and possession limits, size
limits or closures that differ from general regulations.
REQUIRED LICENSES
A Wild Louisiana Stamp, hunting license or fishing license, depending on activities in which an individual is engaged, is required for use of depart-
ment-administered lands, including wildlife refuges, WMAs and habitat conservation areas. Persons under 16 years of age and over 60 years of
age or older are exempt from this requirement. Persons attending official functions of private, non-profit and charitable organizations recognized
as tax-exempt under the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code shall also be exempted from this requirement.
Starting June 1, 2022, the Wild LA Stamp is being replaced by the WMA Access Permit and will always be required for access to any depart-
ment-administered lands, including wildlife refuges, WMAs and habitat conservation areas. Persons 17 years of age and under are exempt
from this requirement. Seniors 60 years of age or older ARE NOT exempt and must purchase a WMA Access Permit.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ATCHAFALAYA DELTA
• Camping and houseboat mooring is allowed only in designated areas. Houseboat mooring is allowed via permit only (through annual
lottery or by a bid lease program) during hunting season and by normal means during the remainder of the year. Contact Lafayette Field
Office for details.
• Vessels/Vehicles: Mudboats or air-cooled propulsion vessels powered by more than 36 total horsepower are prohibited on the WMA.
• Self-Clearing Permits available from Main Delta campground, Wax Delta Campground, Cul-de-sac on Big Island, and Berwick Public Boat
Launch (Jesse Fontenot Boat Launch) or through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or internet/web portal.
34
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
WMAs, REFUGES & FEDERAL LANDS
ELMER’S ISLAND WILDLIFE REFUGE
• Commercial fishing, including guide service, is CLOSED.
• Access and use of Elmer’s Island is only permitted 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset seven days a week.
However, the secretary of LDWF may restrict any portion of Elmer’s Island whenever circumstances exist such that restrictions are nec-
essary to protect the Refuge or to protect the public from harm.
• Camping or overnight activities are prohibited.
• No glass containers are allowed.
• The discharge of firearms, including muzzleloaders, bows and arrows, or crossbows is prohibited.
• Maximum speed limit on the island is 5 MPH.
• Check for emergency closures and other information on Elmer’s Island at www.wlf.la.gov/page/elmers-island.
BILOXI
Vessels/Vehicles: Mud boats or air-cooled propulsion vessels can only be powered by straight shaft “long tail” air-cooled mud motors that
are 25 total horsepower or less on the WMA. All other types of airboats, mud boats or air cooled propulsion vessels (including “surface drive”
boats) are prohibited.
• Overnight mooring of all vessels 50 feet in length or longer is prohibited.
• Camping and houseboat mooring Is allowed only in designated areas.
CAMP BEAUREGARD
Special regulations to be posted at Twin Lakes.
DEWEY W. WILLS
Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day.
BUSSEY BRAKE
• Recreational fishing and all other allowed non-consumptive
uses only.
• No personal watercraft or water skiing.
• No camping.
• No ATVs/UTVs or electric bicycles allowed.
• No motorized vehicles of any type allowed on reservoir levee
except at boat launch for purpose of launching boat or to
access fishing pier.
• Pulling boats over levees or any other activities that cause
detriment to the levees is prohibited.
• Horseback riding and non-motorized bicycles are allowed only
on the designated trail named levee trail (see map at boat
launch kiosk). Access is granted at two marked locations, adja-
cent to the boat launch and just beyond the boat launch park-
ing area.
• No tying boats to channel marker poles.
• A no-wake zone is in effect in the harbor inside the wave break.
• No boats allowed within 30 feet of fishing piers.
FISHING
• Fish may be taken only by rod and reel or cane pole for recre-
ational purposes.
• All types of nets, including but not limited to gill nets, trammel
nets, hoop nets, wire nets, fyke nets and fish seines are
prohibited.
• Trotlines, yo-yos, limb lines, stump lines, slat traps, jugs, cans,
and pipes are prohibited.
• Shoreline (non-boat) fishing only allowed at designated
locations.
• No fishing or lake access from rocks along interior of reservoir
levee.
BLACK BASS
• Daily Limit: recreational daily creel limit shall be five fish, in
the aggregate.
• Possession Limit: possession limit shall be five fish while on
water and 10 fish while off water, in the aggregate.
• Length: the maximum total length limit shall be 16 inches, with
the exception that one fish over 16 inches may be kept.
CRAPPIE
• Daily Limit: recreational daily limit shall be 25 fish, in the
aggregate.
• Possession Limit: possession limit shall be 25 fish while on
water and 50 fish while off water, in the aggregate.
• Length: the minimum total length shall be 10 inches.
• Daily Limit: recreational daily creel limit shall be 50 fish, in the
aggregate.
• Possession Limit: possession limit shall be 50 fish while on the
water and 100 while off the water in the aggregate.
• Length: no minimum length.
BIG LAKE
Yoyos, limb lines and trotlines prohibited on Big Lake and Chain Lake. Commercial fishing prohibited.
BODCAU
Nets and traps prohibited in Ivan Lake.
ELBOW SLOUGH
Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Recreational crawfishing only, no traps or nets left overnight. March 1 - July 31.
35
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
WMAs, REFUGES & FEDERAL LANDS
FORT POLK-VERNON
Special regulations pertaining to fishing are posted at specific lakes.
GRASSY LAKE
• Recreational fishing is permitted only after 2 p.m., during the waterfowl season in Smith and Red River bays, and in Grassy Lake proper.
• Recreational crawfishing is permitted from March 15 - July 31 and is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. No traps or nets are to
be left overnight.
JOYCE
Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Recreational crawfishing only.
J.C. SONNY GILBERT
Fishing restricted to rod and reel, and pole fishing only. All other gear prohibited.
MAUREPAS SWAMP
Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Recreational crawfishing only.
LAKE BOEUF
MANCHAC
Crab traps are prohibited. Attended lift nets are allowed.
• Self-Clearing Permits available at Theriot Canal Boat Landing off LA 308 or through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or internet/web
portal.
• All nighttime activities prohibited, including frogging.
WINE ISLAND, EAST ISLAND, WHISKEY ISLAND AND RAC
COON ISLAND
• Public access by any means to the exposed land areas, wet-
lands, and interior waterways of these islands is prohibited
without a permit.
• Disturbing, injuring, or collecting flora, fauna, or other property
is prohibited without a permit.
• Boat traffic is allowed adjacent to the islands in open water
(Gulf and bays).
• Boat traffic is prohibited in waterways extending into the in-
terior of the islands or within any land-locked open waters or
wetlands of the islands.
• Fishing from boats along the shore and wade fishing in the surf
areas of the islands is allowed.
• Littering is prohibited.
TRINITY ISLAND
• Public access is allowed in a designated public use area.
• The area is approximately 3,000 linear feet by 500 linear feet
and it borders the western end of the man-made canal com-
monly known as California Canal. It is accessible via California
Canal or the Gulf of Mexico. The boundaries are marked and
maintained by LDWF.
• Public recreation such as bird-watching, picnicking, fishing, and
overnight camping is allowed in this area.
• Travel on or across this area shall be limited to foot or bicycle
traffic only. No use of ATVs or other vehicles powered by in-
ternal combustion engines or electric motors shall be allowed.
• Carrying, possessing, or discharging firearms, fireworks, or ex-
plosives in the designated public use area is prohibited.
• Littering is prohibited.
• Disturbing, injuring, or collecting flora, fauna, or other property
is prohibited without a permit.
• Any member of the public utilizing the public use area must
have a portable waste disposal container to collect all human
waste and to remove it upon leaving the island.
• Public access outside of the public use area is prohibited with-
out a permit.
• Boat traffic is allowed adjacent to the island in open water (Gulf
and bays) and within the man-made canal commonly known as
California Canal.
• Fishing from boats along the shore and wade fishing in the surf
areas of the island is allowed.
• No boat traffic is allowed in other man-made or natural water-
ways extending into the interior of the island or in any land-
locked open waters or wetlands of the island.
ISLE DERNIERES BARRIER ISLANDS REFUGE
LITTLE RIVER
Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Recreational crawfishing only, no traps or nets left overnight. March 1 - July 31.
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2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
WMAs, REFUGES & FEDERAL LANDS
POINTE-AUX-CHENES
• All nighttime activities prohibited. Possession of more than one
daily limit of fish/crab/shrimp while on the WMA is prohibited.
• The harvest of all fish, shrimp, crabs and crawfish is for recre-
ational purposes only and any commercial use is prohibited.
• Self-Clearing Permits available at Grand Bayou Boat Launch and
at Point Farm gate behind Montegut Middle School or through
the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or internet/web portal.
SHRIMPING
• Shrimp may be taken by the use of cast nets only.
• During the inside open shrimp season, 25 pounds per boat or
vehicle per day (heads on) maximum allowed. Size count must
conform to open season requirements.
• During the inside closed season, 10 pounds per boat or vehicle
per day (heads on) may be taken for bait.
• All castnet contents shall be contained and bycatch returned to
the water immediately.
OYSTERS
• Oyster harvesting is prohibited.
FINFISH
• Fish may be taken only by rod and reel or by hand lines for
recreational purposes only.
CRABBING
• Crabs may be taken only through the use of hand lines or nets;
however, none are to remain set overnight.
• No drop nets left unattended at any time. A maximum of 12
drop nets may be possessed/attended per boat or vehicle.
• Twelve dozen crabs maximum are allowed per boat or vehicle
per day.
CRAWFISHING
• Crawfish may be harvested in unrestricted portions of the
WMA and shall be limited to 100 pounds per person per day.
• Fishing gear used to catch crawfish must not remain set overnight.
VESSELS & VEHICLES
• All boats powered by internal combustion engines having
horsepower ratings above 25 hp., are not allowed in the Grand
Bayou, Montegut and Pointe-aux-Chenes water management
units. The public is permitted to travel anytime through the
WMA for access purposes only, in the waterways known as
Bayou Pointe-aux-Chenes, Grand Bayou, Humble Canal, Little
Bayou Blue, St. Louis Canal, and Grand Bayou Blue. All other
motorized vehicles, as well as horses and mules, are prohibited
unless authorized by LDWF.
• Type A personal watercraft, model year 2003 and beyond,
which are 8 or more feet in length may be operated on Pointe-
aux-Chenes WMA from April 1 until the Monday after Labor
Day Weekend, from sunrise to sunset only. No person shall
operate such watercraft at a speed greater than “slow/no
wake” within 100 feet of any anchored or moored vessel,
shoreline, dock, pier, persons engaged in angling or any other
manually powered vessel.
POMME DE TERRE
• Recreational fishing regulations are the same as outside. NOTE: Allowed only after 2 p.m., during waterfowl season.
• Recreational crawfishing is allowed from March 15 - July 31 and is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. No traps or nets are to be
left overnight.
RICHARD K. YANCEY
• That portion West of the Mississippi River Levee, March 15 -
July 31, recreational crawfishing only.
• Crawfish harvest limited to 100 pounds per person per day.
• No nets or traps may be left overnight. No motorized water-
craft allowed.
RUSSELL SAGE
• Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day limit.
• The waterfowl refuge north of LA Hwy. 15 is closed to all fishing during duck season, including early teal season, EXCEPT allowed during
the “Falconry for Ducks” portion of the waterfowl season.
QUEEN BESS ISLAND WILDLIFE REFUGE
• Access is prohibited Feb. 1 - Sept. 30.
• No disturbance or removal of vegetation or natural debris from the island is allowed.
• No fishing between the breakwaters and the island from Feb. 1 - Sept. 30.
• Vehicles are prohibited.
• No nighttime activities allowed.
• Fishing closed from 30 minutes before sunrise until 2 p.m. on:
Grand Bay, Silver Lake, Lower Sunk Lake, Lac A’ Sostein,
Moreau Lake, and Hog Pen Lake during open waterfowl sea-
sons, EXCEPT during early Teal Season, recreational fishing
allowed after 10 a.m.
PEARL RIVER
Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Recreational crawfishing only.
PASS-A-LOUTRE
• Oyster harvesting is prohibited.
• Camping is allowed only in designated areas.
• Self-Clearing Permits available at all designated camping areas, Camp Canal and at the WMA Headquarters or through the LDWF Self-
Clearing Permit app or internet/web portal.
• Vessels/Vehicles: Mudboats or air-cooled propulsion vessels powered by more than 36 total horsepower are prohibited on the WMA.
Operation of mud boats and air-cooled propulsion engines prohibited after 2:00 p.m. Sept. 1 - Jan. 31, EXCEPT allowed after 2:00 p.m.
in South Pass, Pass-a-Loutre, Southeast Pass, Loomis Pass, Dennis Pass, and Cadro Pass.
37
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
WMAs, REFUGES & FEDERAL LANDS
SALVADOR/TIMKEN
• All nighttime activities prohibited, EXCEPT during the
Experimental Nighttime Activity Season.
• Self-Clearing Permits available at Pier 90, Bayou Gauche, Bayou
Segnette State Park landings, and at Airboat Adventures in
Lafitte or through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or inter-
net/web portal.
• The harvest of all fish, shrimp, crabs and crawfish are for rec-
reational purposes only and any commercial use is prohibited.
SHRIMPING
• Shrimp may be taken by the use of cast nets only.
• During the inside open shrimp season, 25 pounds per boat per
day (heads on) maximum shall be permitted. Size count shall
conform with any open season requirements.
• During the inside closed season, 10 pounds per boat per day
(heads on) maximum may be taken for bait.
• All castnet contents shall be contained and bycatch returned to
the water immediately.
FINFISH
• Fish may be taken only by rod and reel, or by hand lines for
recreational purposes.
CRABBING
• Crabs may be taken only through the use of hand lines or nets;
however, none are to remain set overnight.
• Twelve dozen crabs maximum are allowed per boat or vehicle
per day.
CRAWFISHING
• Crawfish may be harvested in unrestricted portions of the WMA
and shall be limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Fishing
gear used to catch crawfish shall not remain set overnight.
VESSELS & VEHICLES
• Use of mudboats powered by internal combustion engines
with more than four cylinders is prohibited.
• Pulling boats over levees, dams or water control structures or
any other activities that may cause detriment to the integrity
of levees, dams and water control structures is prohibited.
EXPERIMENTAL NIGHTTIME ACTIVITY SEASON
• 12 a.m., June 1 through official sunrise Aug. 15. Nighttime
activities LIMITED to the take of frogs and fishing with a rod
and reel. All other nighttime activities prohibited. Daily limit of
50 frogs per vessel in aggregate (bull frogs/pig frogs). If
engaged in frogging on or while traversing the WMA, all frogs
in possession will be deemed to have been taken from the
WMA. At no time may anyone possess more than on daily limit
of frogs while on the water.
• Size Limit: (Measured from the tip of the muzzle to the poste-
rior end of the body between the hind legs). Bull frogs harvest-
ed must be 5 inches or larger. Pig frogs harvested must be 3
inches or larger.
• Check out portion of Self-Clearing Permit must include boat
registration number under the comments section. Possession
of firearms while participation in any experimental nighttime
activity is prohibited.
SHERBURNE
• Recreational crawfishing is permitted from March 15 - July 31 with a limit of 100 pounds per person per day. No traps or nets are to be
left overnight.
• No motorized watercrafts are allowed on the farm complex.
SODA LAKE
That portion west of Twelve Mile Bayou closed to fishing Oct. 1 - March 31.
ROCKEFELLER WILDLIFE REFUGE, STATE WILDLIFE REFUGE (Vermilion) & MARSH ISLAND WILDLIFE REFUGE
• Trawling is prohibited.
• Trotlines, jug lines, trammel and gill nets, and traps are
prohibited.
• Use of the refuges is permitted from official sunrise to official
sunset. This includes access routes through the refuge.
Overnight camping is prohibited.
• Firearms are prohibited. Littering is prohibited. Damage to or
removal of trees, shrubs, and wild plants without prior approv-
al is prohibited.
SHRIMPING
• 25 pounds of shrimp (heads on) per boat or vehicle per day is
allowed during the inside open shrimp season as established
by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
• 10 pounds of shrimp (heads on) for bait purposes may be
caught during the closed season.
• Shrimp may be harvested only by cast net on the refuge and
only for sport fishing or home consumption use. When har-
vesting shrimp with a cast net, contents shall be dumped in a
container and not on the ground.
CRAWFISHING
• Recreational crawfishing is permitted in the open portion of the
refuge with a limit of 100 pounds per boat or vehicle per day.
• Set nets may be used but must be attended and removed from
the refuge daily. No commercial harvest is allowed.
CRABBING
• Crabs may be harvested from the open portion of the refuge
with a limit of 12 dozen crabs per boat or vehicle per day.
• NOTE: No commercial harvest is allowed on Marsh Island,
State Wildlife and Rockefeller refuges.
OYSTERS
• Oysters may be harvested by tonging (properly licensed) or by
hand collection from the natural reefs, but only in waters
approved (open) for harvest by the Department of Health.
• One gallon per boat or vehicle per day is allowed and oysters
must be opened at the reef and the shells returned to the reef.
• Taking of oysters from the natural reefs may be closed at any
time by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
SPRING BAYOU
• Recreational fishing is permitted, EXCEPT only after 2 p.m. during waterfowl season, EXCEPT during early teal season, recreational fishing
allowed after 10 a.m.
• Recreational crawfishing is permitted from March 15 - July 31 and is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. No traps or nets are to
be left overnight.
38
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
WMAs, REFUGES & FEDERAL LANDS
KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST- NATIONAL CATAHOULA AND NATIONAL RED DIRT
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PRESERVES
Preserves will be closed to fishing during deer gun hunts. Consult hunting regulations for dates.
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS - INDIAN BAYOU AREA
Commercial and recreational crawfishing is permitted from Oct. 1 - Jan. 31 starting at 12 PM each day and all day from Feb. 1 - July 31 with
an additional permit required. The permit is available Jan. 1. Call USACE Port Barre Office for more details 337-585-0853 or visit www.mvn.
usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/AtchafalayaBasin.aspx.
BARATARIA PRESERVE - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, CROWN POINT
Fishing or engaging in related activities, like crabbing or crawfish
harvesting is permitted in the preserve subject to the following
conditions:
• All reptile species are protected in the park and may not be
harvested, collected or possessed while within the park.
• Amphibian species that are authorized by the state of Louisiana
to be taken as game may be taken within the preserve.
• Anglers must otherwise comply with all State of Louisiana fish-
ing regulations.
• Anglers may only fish from or access fishing areas from the
Twin Canals trail and the Kenta Canal area. All other trails,
bridges and canoe docks are closed to fishing.
Fishing is prohibited in any of the following areas of the Barataria
Preserve: Visitor Center and Visitor Center Trail; Palmetto Trail;
Bayou Coquille Trail; Marsh Overlook Trail; Ring Levee Trail; Pecan
Grove Canoe Launch Trail; or from any vehicular bridge, sidewalks,
trails, old road beds and utility access corridors.
Mooring or grounding of any watercraft over 25 feet in length is pro-
hibited within any waters administered by Jean Lafitte NHP&P.
Operating a motorized watercraft, including electric trolling motors
or airboats, is prohibited in the following areas of the Barataria
Preserve: Bayou Des Famillies; Bayou Coquille; and Twin Canals
HOOP NETS
The use of a hoop net to capture fish is prohibited within all areas
of the preserve.
JUG LINE FISHING
Fishing with an unattended baited line attached to a float (jug line
fishing) is permitted within the preserve with the following conditions:
• The angler clearly marks the float with their name, phone
number and date last set.
• Jug lines are checked at least once every 24 hours.
• Jug lines are removed when no longer tended.
• Trotlines and lines attached to anything other than a float are
prohibited.
CRABBING
The taking of crabs by means of a trap is permitted within the
preserve with the following conditions:
• The trapper has a valid fishing license with a recreational crab trap
endorsement.
• The trapper clearly marks the float of the trap with their name,
phone number and date last set.
• The trapper sets no more than 10 traps per person.
• The trapper checks the traps at least twice a week.
• The trapper removes the traps when no longer tended.
• Recreational crabbing possession limit is 12 dozen (144) crabs per
person per day.
CRAWFISH
Crawfish harvesting is permitted in the preserve along road side
areas and along the Wood Duck trail, subject to the following har-
vesting conditions:
• Crawfish harvesting occurs between March 1 and June 30.
• Conducted up to 50 feet beyond the outside toe of the road-
way, or trail shoulder or embankment.
• Conducted while using baited lift type mesh nets or baited
wire traps. All other types of traps are prohibited.
• Anglers are limited to 10 or fewer nets or traps. Each trap must
be continuously attended.
• Anglers require a valid fishing license with a gear endorsement
to harvest crawfish within the preserve if using crawfish traps.
• The use of crawfish nets does not require a fishing license.
• Anglers are limited to 150 pounds of crawfish per person.
LIFE JACKETS SAVE LIVES
Personal Flotaon Devices (PFDs) save lives. Get one and wear it when you’re on the water.
Remember that children 16 years old or younger must wear a properly sized and ed, per-
sonal otaon device approved by the U.S. Coast Guard at all mes when a vessel is under-
way. Get your child ed for a proper life vest and lead by example by wearing one too. For
more informaon on how to nd the right life vest or for more boang safety ps, visit www.
uscgboang.org or www.wlf.la.gov.
CONSUMER ALERT: Choosing the correct Personal Flotaon Device (PFD) can be the
dierence between life and death when on the water. Make sure the PFD is U.S. Coast Guard
(USCG) approved. A USCG approved PFD will have an approval number on the label usually on the
inside part of the PFD. A PFD that is not USCG approved is illegal and unsafe. More and more non-approved PFDs are
showing up in the marketplace and are being sold at larger retailers where most customers assume it is an approved version.
VESSELS & VEHICLES
• Speedboat racing and water skiing are prohibited.
• All boat traffic shall honor no wake zones and shall keep wave
wash to a minimum.
• Pulling boats over or around levees, dams or water control
structures or any other activities that may cause detriment to
the integrity of levees, dams and water control structures is
prohibited.
• Jet skis and airboats are prohibited.
39
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
LOUISIANA REQUIRED BOATING EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST
PERSONAL
WATERCRAFT
BOATS LESS
THAN 16
FEET
BOATS 16 FEET
TO LESS THAN
26 FEET
Registration on Board
P P P
Validation Decals Displayed
P P P
PFDs: Type I, II or III
P P P
PFDs: Type IV
P
Engine Cut Off Device
P
Type B Fire Extinguishers
P P P
Navigation Lights
P P
Horn, Whistle or Bell
P
Daytime Visual Distress Signals
P
Nighttime Visual Distress
Signals
Backre Flame Arrestor
P
Ventilation System
P P P
Mufer/Underwater Exhaust
P P P
1 2,3,4 2,4
6
6 7 7
7
5 5
8 8
1. Those on personal watercra (PWC) must wear a USCG approved Type I, II, III or V personal otaon device (PFD) at all mes.
2. Children 16 years of age and younger must wear a USCG approved Type I, II or III PFD while underway on a vessel less than 26 feet long. A
wearable USCG approved Type I, II or III PFD must be readily available for each of the other passengers onboard.
3. All persons onboard a motorboat less than 16 feet which is being propelled by a hand ller outboard motor are required to wear a USCG
approved Type I, II, III or V PFD while the motorboat is underway.
4. Persons engaged in water sports, which includes but is not limited to water skiing, being towed on a tube, wake boarding, wake surng,
etc. must wear a USCG approved Type I, II, III or V PFD. An inatable PFD does not meet the requirements.
5. A motorboat less than 26 feet with a hand ller outboard motor in excess of 10 horsepower designed to have or having an engine cut-o
switch must have the engine cut-o switch link aached to the operator, the operator’s clothing, or the operator’s PFD, if worn, while
the motor is running and the vessel is underway.
6. Certain items are not applicable to PWCs because PWCs are not allowed to operate between sunset and sunrise.
7. Required on federally controlled waters (oshore, dal coastal areas).
8. Required for inboards and stern drivers only.
BOATER EDUCATION
All persons born aer Jan. 1, 1984 are required to complete a NASBLA approved boang educaon course to operate a motorboat over 10
horsepower and must carry proof of such when operang the motorboat. A motorboat may be operated if any person on board or parcipat-
ing in any boang acvity from the motorboat is over the age of 18, and if required to have completed a boang course, has completed the
required boang safety course.
LDWF oers Boang Classes in every region of the state, free of charge to the public.
For those who cannot aend a classroom seng an online boang class is available, however, it is not administered by LDWF and a fee is
assessed. Visit www.wlf.la.gov for more informaon about Boater Educaon.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE & FISHERIES
LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
TO REPORT MISSING/OVERDUE BOATERS, REPORT A BOAT CRASH
INCIDENT OR REPORT VIOLATIONS, PLEASE CALL 1-800-442-2511.
LADWF TIPS APP now available from the Apple Store and Google Play
All boaters are encouraged to ensure their vessels are in good working
condition and all required safety equipment is on board.
BOATING SAFETY
40
2022 Recreational Fishing Regulations
FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES
Fish are a lean and nutrious source of protein. However, some sh
may contain chemicals that could pose health risks. Louisiana sh
consumpon advisories are based on the esmate that the average
Louisiana resident eats four sh meals per month (a meal is consid-
ered to be 1/2 pound of sh for adults and children). If you or your
family members eat more than four meals of sh a month from local
water bodies, you might increase your health risks.
The following informaon on sh consumpon advisories has been
furnished by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). LDH, De-
partment of Environmental Quality and Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries coordinate in the issuance of advisories.
Unless the sh species is specically addressed in the details of these
advisories, please limit consumpon of all species in an advisory area
to four meals per month. You can contact the Oce of Public Health
toll free at 1-855-229-6848 for more informaon about eang sh
that contain chemicals.
Readers should be aware that the informaon provided is a summary
of the informaon available at the me of prinng. Advisories may be
changed or added at any me. For current advisories call Al Hindrichs
at the Department of Environmental Quality at 225-219-3189, or visit
LDH at ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/564 or more informaon about
eang sh that may contain chemicals.
CONTAMINANTS IN FISH
Almost everywhere you look in Louisiana there is water, and where
there is water, people catch and eat fish. However, in a few Louisiana
waters, fish and shellfish have chemical contamination in amounts
that may be harmful to your health if you were to eat too much over
a long period of time.
These contaminants are in the environment because of various
reasons such as natural deposition, industrial discharges, leaking
landfills and misuse of pesticides. Fish take in the contaminants
from water, sediments and food. Larger, older fish and fish that eat
other fish tend to accumulate more contaminants than smaller,
younger fish.
The Office of Public Health evaluates chemicals in fish to determine
if the fish are contaminated and pose a health threat to children,
pregnant women, adults or (when indicated) subsistence anglers. A
fish consumption advisory is issued when unacceptable levels of
chemical contaminants have been found in the fish filet.
FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY
Fish consumption advisories in Louisiana are based on chemical levels
in the fish filet. Advisories are issued at very conservative levels to
insure the safety of individuals consuming fish. Advisories provide
guidance regarding fish consumption for each species of fish. They do
not tell you to stop fishing or to stop eating fish. Just be selective
about the fish you or your family eats. None of the fish in Louisiana
are contaminated enough to cause harm after a single or a few meals.
The health risk comes from eating contaminated fish often and
regularly over a long period of time. For information on specific
waterbodies with advisories please visit deq.louisiana.gov/page/
fishing-consumption-and-swimming-advisories for a downloadable
map of advisory locations. A cell phone application is also available
through Google Play and the Apple Store by entering the search term:
LA Fish Advisories. More information can also be obtained by calling
the Louisiana Department of Health hotline at 1-888-293-7020 or the
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality at 225-219-3189.
A “meal” is considered to be 1/2 pound (8 oz.) in size. Unless the fish species is specifically addressed in the details of the advisory, please
limit consumption of all species in an advisory area to four meals per month. Louisiana fish consumption advisories are based on the estimate
that the average Louisiana resident eats four fish meals per month. If you or your family eat more than four meals of fish a month from local
water bodies, you might increase your health risks. You can contact the Office of Public Health toll free at 1-888-293-7020 for more
information about eating fish that contain chemicals.
HEALTH ADVICE AND GUIDELINES
Contaminants found in Louisiana fish can be grouped into two categories: organic chemicals (HCB, HCBD, PCBs and Dioxin) and metals (mer-
cury, lead). Organic contaminants build up in fish fat deposits and just under the skin, more than in the muscle tissue (filet). Metals are dis-
tributed evenly throughout the fish and cannot be removed from the filet by cooking or cleaning.
HOW TO REDUCE ORGANIC CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION IN FISH
• Remove all organs and skin. Organs and skin can be high in fat
and organic chemicals.
• Trim off fatty areas. This includes belly fat, side fat and back fat.
Organic contaminants concentrate in fat.
• Bake or broil skinned, trimmed fish on a rack or grill so fat drips
off. Throw away drippings.
• When fish are poached or fried, throw away the broth or oil.
Keep smaller fish to eat. Usually, younger, smaller fish are less
contaminated than larger, older fish.
• Eat fewer predator fish such as bass, gar or pickerel.
Contaminants bio-accumulate in predator fish.
• Vary diet by eating a variety of fish, shellfish, meat and poultry.
• Vary source of fish, seafood, meat, poultry and wild game.
CONSUMPTION ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT, NURSING OR MIGHT BECOME PREGNANT
AND FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (EPA AND FDA, 2004)
By following these three recommendations for selecting and eating
fish or shellfish, women and young children will receive the benefits
of eating fish and shellfish and be confident that they have reduced
their exposure to the harmful effects of mercury. Follow these same
recommendations when feeding fish or shellfish to a young child,
but serve smaller portions.
1. Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish, as these
contain high levels of mercury.
2. Eat up to 12 ounces a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that
are lower in mercury. The five most commonly eaten fish that
are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pol-
lock and catfish. Up to 6 ounces a week of albacore (“white”)
tuna may be consumed since this variety contains more mer-
cury than light tuna.
3. Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family
and friends in your local lakes, rivers and coastal areas. If no
advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces per week of fish caught
in local waters. Do not consume any other fish that same week.
FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES
T
he target shooting and hunting
community prides itself on being safe
and responsible with rearms in all
situations—from using them outdoors to storing
them safely at home. Sometimes, however,
unusual conditions such as extremely dry
environments require an extra level of awareness
and safety on the part of shooters.
Wildres have many possible causes. The National
Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association
for the rearms and ammunition industry, reminds
all shooters that during dry and hot weather
conditions their use of certain ammunition and
targets could accidentally ignite a wildre. NSSF
reminds all target shooters and hunters, as well
as other outdoor enthusiasts, to consider the
potential consequences of their activities in re-
prone environments.
Shooters & Hunters:
Help Prevent Wildfires.
•
Make it a point to know the
regulations and rules related to
shooting in areas experiencing dry
and hot conditions, whether on public
or private land or at shooting ranges.
Many national forests, for example, do
not allow recreational shooting when
re restrictions are in effect.
•
Consider the type of ammunition and
targets you are using. Minimize the
risk of res by not using steel-jacketed
ammunition, ammunition with steel-core
components, tracer rounds or exploding
targets in re-prone areas.
•
Remember that equipment, such as
cars and ATVs, can have extremely
hot exhaust systems that could
ignite dry vegetation, so park only in
designated areas.
•
Extinguish and dispose of smoking
materials safely.
•
Follow guidelines to extinguish
campres.
•
Warn others of potential dangers and
behaviors for starting wildres.
•
Report any wildre you see to
authorities.
•
Spread this message to other target
shooters, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.
prone environments.
NSSF.ORG
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