RECREATIONAL FISHING LICENSES

Recreational fishing and hunting licenses may be purchased online or by telephone using Visa or MasterCard. Call toll free 1-888-765-2602. An authorization number for immediate use will be provided and licenses will be mailed to the licensee.
A SERVICE FEE IS CHARGED.

Persons taking fish, whether recreationally or commercially, and persons involved in the fish industry, including wholesale/retail dealers and transporters, and vessels involved in the fish industry must be licensed.

All recreational licenses are valid from the date of purchase and expire on June 30 each year. In addition to other bona fide residency requirements, a Louisiana Driver's License or Louisiana ID Card issued by the Department of Public Safety is required to purchase resident recreational hunting and fishing licenses.

Title 56, Section 302.1.C.(1) requires that all recreational anglers fishing south of the "saltwater line" 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 exempted. All regulations apply regardless of where the fish is taken.

A recreational fisherman must purchase and have in possession a valid basic recreational fishing license to possess fish in Louisiana waters or to use the following:

1. Bow and arrow
2. A barbed or barbless spear
3. Frog gig/catcher
4. Scuba Gear
5. Hook & line (trot line)
6. Cast net with a radius not to exceed 8 ft. 6 in.
7. Rod and reel

Persons who obtain resident licenses when not complying with the bona fide residency requirements as stated in the definition section will be subject to criminal and/or civil sanctions.

Bona Fide Resident:
1. Any person who has resided in this state continuously during the 12 months immediately prior to the date on which he applies for any license and who has manifested his intent to remain in this state by establishing Louisiana as his legal domicile, as demonstrated by compliance with all of the following, as applicable:

• If registered to vote, he is registered to vote in Louisiana
• If licensed to drive a motor vehicle, he is in possession of a valid Louisiana drivers license
• If owning a motor vehicle located within Louisiana, he is in possession of a valid Louisiana registration for that vehicle
• If earning an income, he has filed a Louisiana state income tax return and has complied with state income tax laws and regulations.

2. As to a corporation or other legal entity, a resident shall be any which is incorportated or otherwise organized under, and subject to, the laws of Louisiana, and is domiciled in Louisiana and has a permanent physical location of business in Louisiana where records are held.

3. Any person, corporation or other legal entity which possesses a resident license from any state or country other than Louisiana shall not qualify for a resident hunting license in Louisiana.

RESIDENT RECREATIONAL LICENSE FEES

*Senior Fish/Hunt License: Any resident who turned sixty (60) years of age on or after June 1, 2000 must obtain a senior fishing/hunting license to hunt or fish. This license does not include special gear such as trawls, crab traps, crawfish traps, hoop nets, etc.

**LA Disabled Fishing and Saltwater applicants must present a copy of their driver's license and a recent award letter from the Office of Social Security to be considered. Available at Baton Rouge only.

***Persons who fish from a charter vessel in saltwater areas of the state, with a licensed guide on board at all times, may possess a Charter Passenger License at a cost of $5.00 that is valid for three consecutive days. Charter guide license number or mothership license must be provided when purchasing charter passenger licenses.

NON-RESIDENT RECREATIONAL LICENSE FEES

*Persons who fish from a charter vessel in saltwater areas of the state, with a licensed guide on board at all times, may possess a Charter Passenger License at a cost of $5.00 that is valid for three consecutive days.

**Non-residents fishing under the direction of a charter operation in a licensed charter skiff in saltwater areas of the state may possess a non-resident charter skiff three-day license at a cost of $30.00 and shall be valid for three consecutive days.

MILITARY LICENSE FEES

RECREATIONAL GEAR LICENSES

Recreational anglers ages 16 and over using any of the recreational gear listed below must, in addition to their basic fishing license, purchase the applicable gear license. If fishing in saltwater areas of the state, a saltwater fishing license is also required. Lifetime fishing license holders must also purchase a gear license to use recreational gear.

*Recreational wire nets and recreational hoop nets shall be used only in the geographical areas located north of a line that follows Interstate 10 from where it crosses the Louisiana/Mississippi state line westward to its junction with Interstate Highway 12 near Slidell, along Interstate Highway 12 westward to its junction with Interstate Highway 10 in the city of Baton Rouge, and then along Interstate 10 from the city of Baton Rouge westward to where it crosses the Louisiana/Texas state line.
**Not included in Sportsman's Paradise license.

LIFETIME LICENSES

Lifetime Licenses cover basic fishing, saltwater fishing, basic hunting, big game hunting, bow hunting and muzzleloader hunting licenses, state Waterfowl and Turkey stamps, and the WMA hunting permit.

Lifetime Licenses are available from the Baton Rouge office only. LDWF does not issue receipts or authorization numbers for lifetime licenses. Allow six weeks processing time. Applicants are required to have lived in Louisiana for the immediate 12 months prior to making application to qualify for resident rates. Mandatory documents required with completed application are a valid Louisiana driver's license issued a minimum of 12 months AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: (1) Louisiana voter's registration card, (2) Louisiana vehicle registration and (3) two previous years state tax filing, stamped by Department of Revenue & Taxation.

For a complete review of exceptions and exemptions, click here.