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I am not a resident of Louisiana. Do I have to register my boat in Louisiana to fish in Louisiana?
Out of state vessels do not have to be registered in Louisiana if they fall under one of the following: a) a sailboat less than 12 feet long, b) a sailboard, c) a vessel documented with the U.S. Coast Guard; or, d) a vessel with a valid registration from another state or country that is on the waters of Louisiana for 90 or fewer consecutive days.
Is the Department issuing applications for new oyster leases?
No, there is currently a moratorium in affect.
When is the last day to renew an oyster lease in 2006?
May 1, 2006 is the last day to renew an oyster lease in 2006.
When will the shrimp/oyster season open and when will it close?
There are two shrimp seasons in inside waters each year and the opening dates of both are fixed by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) based on staff recommendations and public comment. The spring season typically opens in Shrimp Management Zone II in early to mid May and closes in late June or early July. Zone 1 typically opens in mid to late May and closes in early July and Zone III typically opens in late May to early June and closes in late June to early July. The LWFC generally provides authority to the LDWF to set the closing dates, extend the season and establish special seasons based upon biological and technical data. Likewise, the LWFC fixes the opening and closing dates for the oyster season on the public oyster grounds each year. The season generally begins in early September and may extend until April1. The LWFC generally provides authority to the LDWF to delay the season or change the closing dates based upon biological and technical data.
How do I find the Artificial Reef sites deployed by the Department?
They are on our website
here
.
I saw an oil slick while fishing, who do I call to report it to?
If you see spilled oil, the law requires you to call BOTH of the following:
24-Hour Louisiana HAZMAT Hotline (877)925-6595
National Response Center (800) 424-8802
What information will I need to report if I see a spill?
To aid in a successful response, latitude and longitude of the spill/spill area are ideal. Any identifying information from an obvious source would be helpful as well.
Who do I contact with questions regarding trip tickets?
You can contact the department at 225-765-2449 from 8 AM- 430 PM Mon-Fri.
How do I get trip tickets?
The department will provide all forms, but it is the responsibility of the license holder to obtain them. To order forms, please call the department at 225-763-3588. Have your wholesale/retail, fresh products, or crab shedders license number ready when you call.
When does shrimp season open in Calcasieu Lake?
Calcasieu Lake is within shrimp management Zone III. Zone III extends from the western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island to the Louisiana-Texas state line. This includes both state inside and outside waters. There are two inshore shrimp seasons - one in the spring and one in the fall. The seasons are set by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC). The spring season is normally set at the May LWFC meeting and in Zone III normally opens in late May to early June. The fall season is normally set at the August LWFC meeting and normally opens in mid August. State outside waters in Zone III are normally open all year, though the LWFC may close these waters if necessary.
When does the oyster season open in Calcasieu Lake?
Calcasieu Lake oyster season is set by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) at their August meeting. The season time frame normally runs from mid October to the end of April. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) has classified Calcasieu Lake into two conditional oyster management areas. That portion of Calcasieu Lake east of the ship channel is known as the Lower Calcasieu Conditional Management Area or Area 29 and that portion of Calcasieu Lake west of the ship channel as the Westcove Conditional Management Area. The LDHH may issue daily closings in either area based upon river stage. Oyster fishermen need to contact the LDHH Shellfish Information Telephone Number each morning to get updates on the daily closings: 1-800-256-2775.
What are the limits on spotted seatrout in Calcasieu Lake?
The recreational creel limit in the Calcasieu and Sabine systems on spotted seatrout are 25 per day, a minimum total length of 12 inches with only two of the daily limit being greater than 25 inches. The area that the two over 25 inches applies is: the area of southwest Louisiana, including coastal territorial waters, south of Interstate 10 from is junction at the Louisiana-Texas boundary eastward to its junction with Louisiana Highway 171, south to Louisiana Highway 14, and then south to Holmwood, and then south on Highway 27 through Gibbstown south to Louisiana Highway 82 at Creole and south on Highway 82 to Oak Grove and 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.
BEGINNING JUNE 20, 2006
within the area described here, of the daily take and possession limit of
15
spotted seatrout, no person shall possess, regardless of where taken, more than two spotted seatrout exceeding 25 inches total length, which are considered part of the daily bag and possession limit. These regulations apply to the area of the state, including coastal territorial waters, south of Interstate 10 from its junction at the Texas-Louisiana boundary eastward to its junction with Louisiana Highway 171, south to Highway 14, and then south to Holmwood, and then south on Highway 27 through Gibbstown south to Louisiana Highway 82 at Creole and south on Highway 82 to Oak Grove and 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.
Can I crab without a license?
Any person using crab nets or crab lines for the purpose of taking crabs for recreational purposes shall not be required to purchase or possess a basic recreational fishing license or be required to purchase a gear license. However, persons using crab nets or crab lines on LDWF wildlife management areas or refuges must possess a basic and saltwater recreational fishing license or a Wild Louisiana Stamp. The use of crab traps by recreational fishermen requires a recreational crab trap license. This license allows recreational fishermen the use of no more than 10 crab traps.
What areas are closed to shrimping in Lake Pontchartrain?
The following portion of Lake Catherine and Lake Pontchartrain as described in LA R.S.56:804 is permanently closed to shrimping. The waters of Lake Catherine, and its passes, the Rigolets, Unknown Pass, and Chef Menteur, and that portion of Lake Pontchartrain as follows: the whole area from where the Rigolets and Chef Menteur Passes enter Lake Pontchartrain extending in a westerly direction to a point one and one-quarter miles west of the Southern Railway Bridge, being all of Lake Pontchartrain and its tributaries lying east of the Southern Railway Bridge, and all that portion of Lake Pontchartrain extending out one and one-quarter miles from shore along the Orleans Parish shoreline to the Jefferson-Orleans Parish line, and that area of Lake Pontchartrain along the north shore extending out one and one-quarter miles from shore and running from the Southern Railway Bridge to a line drawn between a point one and one-quarter miles southwest of Goose Point and Goose Point. All other areas are open to shrimping to properly licensed individuals during authorized seasons and using authorized gears.
Are there sharks in Lake Pontchartrain?
Yes. At certain times of the year sharks can be common in Lake Pontchartrain, especially mid to late summer. Sharks will move into the lake when temperatures and salinities increase. Bull shark is the most common shark in the lake in the warmer months, although several other species occur.
Why are biologists removing otoliths (ear bones) from fish?
For many fish, size is not a good indicator of age. Fish can be accurately aged by removing and sectioning otoliths (much like counting growth rings of a tree). Looking at harvest by age data we can more accurately determine the health of a stock.
At what age do I no longer need to purchase a hunting or fishing license?
Any resident who turned 60 years of age on or after June 1, 2000 must obtain a senior fishing/hunting license ($5.00) to hunt or fish. This license does not include special gear such as trawls, crab traps, crawfish traps, hoop nets etc.
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