Understanding Our New License Fee Changes

Recreational Fishing Licenses

• Basic Freshwater License includes all legal means/gear for catching freshwater species (e.g. hoop nets, seines, slat traps, cast nets with a radius smaller than 8’, 6”, wire nets, pipes, buckets, drums, tires, cans, crawfish traps, crawfish nets)
• Saltwater License includes all legal means/gear for catching saltwater species (e.g. crab traps [up to 10], shrimp trawl up 25 feet, oyster tong)
  • $7.50 from every Saltwater License continues to fund LA Creel.
• Hook and Line License allows an individual to use a pole, hook and line, without a reel or artificial bait, dip nets, landing nets, minnow traps, crab nets, or crab lines.
• Crabbing
  • To harvest crabs recreationally with crab nets or crab lines above the freshwater/saltwater line you will need EITHER a Hook and Line Fishing License OR a Basic Fishing License.
  • To harvest crabs recreationally with crab nets or crab lines below the freshwater/saltwater line, you will need EITHER a Hook and Line Fishing License OR a Basic Fishing License + Saltwater Fishing License.
  • An annual combination license or lifetime license would also convey roadside crabbing privileges for all water.
  • If you’re harvesting crabs recreationally with crab traps, you must have a Saltwater Fishing License.

Wildlife Management Area Access/Camping

• Wildlife Management Area Access Permit
  • As of June 1, you will need a permit to visit an LDWF Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for any reason – boating, hiking, bird watching, berry picking, fishing or hunting.
  • The fee for a WMA access permit, which grants access to the 1.5-million acres of land managed by LDWF, is $20/annual (resident/nonresident) or a $5/day (resident/nonresident).
  • All funds generated from the permit fees will be dedicated to managing the WMAs.
  • Youths 17 and under are not required to have a WMA access permit.
  • WMA Access Permits are included in the Sportsman's Paradise license, Senior Hunt/Fish License and all lifetime licenses.
• WMA Camping Permit
  • As of June 1, staying overnight on a designated WMA campground will require a camping permit (in addition to the access permit).
  • The camping permit is $7/night for up to five adults who are camping together and must be displayed at the party’s campsite.
  • A campsite is defined as any tent, RV, camper, vehicle or site occupied within a campground or vessel/houseboat moored adjacent to a campground.    
  • All funds generated from the permit fees will be dedicated to managing the WMAs.
  • Youths 17 and under are not required to have a camping permit

Retired Military

• Any person who is a retired member of the United States Armed Forces, including the Louisiana Army National Guard or the Louisiana Air National Guard, and was either born in Louisiana or is a bona fide resident of Louisiana, may obtain any license at the cost of a senior license. This license will cost $20.00 on June 1,2022.

Special Licenses

• Disabled/Special Circumstances License (blind, paraplegic, amputee, artificial limb(s), permanent brace(s), KIA surviving spouse)– The following individuals qualify for this $4.00 license.
  • Any resident of Louisiana who is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces, including the Louisiana Army National Guard or the Louisiana Air National Guard, who was killed in action while in a combat zone.
  • A resident who is blind; paraplegic; is a single or multiple amputee; or is required to use one or more artificial limbs or permanent braces for mobility as a result of a permanent and total disability.
  • A resident who is totally and permanently disabled and receiving a disability benefit from the federal social security system or a disability retirement income from a retirement system whose members are exempt from federal social security, either pursuant to the Railroad Retirement Insurance Act, 45 U.S.C. 231, or because they are employees of a state or a political subdivision of the state that has not voluntarily agreed to participate in federal social security under 42 U.S.C. 418
•  Disabled Veteran License  - The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation will cover the $4 fee for this license. The following individuals qualify for this license.
  • A veteran of the United States Armed Forces, including the Louisiana Army National Guard or the Louisiana Air National Guard, having a permanent service connected disability classification of 50% or more. The new rules allow for non-residents (as well as residents) to take advantage of this special price.
• Each individual who purchases a fishing or hunting license will have an opportunity to make a donation to help provide disabled veterans with hunting and fishing licenses.

Lifetime Licenses

• Lifetime licenses are NOT going away.
• The new lifetime licenses include recreational hunting, fishing, and gear privileges. After June 1, 2022, a lifetime license will cost $500 for any individual, except seniors 65 and older.
• The current individual lifetime licenses (e.g. Resident Lifetime Fishing Only [$300] and Resident Lifetime Hunting Only [$300]) that are available through the current license structure will no longer be offered after May 31, 2022.
• If you currently hold a Resident Lifetime Fishing License, you will keep your existing privileges and gain the gear privileges associated with the Recreational Freshwater License and the Recreational Saltwater License in the new structure.  However, your license will not be converted into a Hunting/Fishing Combo License.
• If you currently hold a Resident Lifetime Hunting License, you will keep your existing privileges. But your license will not be converted into a Hunting/Fishing Combo License.
• If you currently hold a Resident Lifetime Hunting/Fishing Combo License, on June 1, 2022 you will keep your exiting privileges and gain the gear fees and privileges of legal harvest associated with the Recreational Freshwater License and the Recreational Saltwater License in the new structure.
• For individuals that currently hold a Lifetime Fishing (only) License or a Lifetime Hunting (only) license, after June 1, 2022 those type of Lifetime licenses will no longer be available.  You will only have the option of a Lifetime Combination License for $500 in order to have both Hunting and Fishing.

Senior Licenses

• A person born before June 1, 1940 = License not required
• A person born between June 1, 1940 and May 31, 1962 = Annual License fee remains $5
• A person who is age 65+ after June 1, 2027 (not available until June 1, 2027) = Annual License fee is $20

Youth Licenses

• “Youth” will be considered age 17 and under (raised from age 15 and under) for all hunting and fishing activities that require a license.
• Youth (ages 17 and younger) who are actively harvesting deer or turkey are required to have a license.
• Youth (ages 17 and younger) who are hunting game animals besides deer or turkey are not required to have a license.
• Youth (ages 17 and younger) who are spectators of another person who is hunting, but who are not actively harvesting a game species, are not required to have a license or tags.
• For deer and turkey hunting ONLY, hunters age 17 and under will need to purchase a $5 Youth Hunting License to obtain Deer and Turkey Tags. The purpose of this license is to allow LDWF to count each youth hunter and receive federal funding ($35 for each hunter).
• Youth who hold Lifetime Hunting License or a Lifetime Combo License are not required to purchase the $5 annual license mentioned above to obtain deer and turkey tags mentioned above. They are, however, still required to use deer and turkey tags.
• Youth who hold Lifetime Hunting License or a Lifetime Combo License are not required to pay the fee associated with a Youth Lottery

Non-Resident Licenses

• Single and 3-day Recreational Fishing Licenses will be replaced by a 5-day license.
• A 3-day Charter License will still be available for saltwater and freshwater.
• A new Non-resident Native 10-day License will be available for most licenses. These licenses are intended for those who were born in Louisiana but have since moved out of state.

Digital Licenses

• LDWF will have licenses included in LA Wallet this year. Meanwhile, a digital copy of your license will be considered acceptable proof of your license – with the exception of deer tags, which must be printed.
• Paper Tags – LDWF is recommending the use of a zip-top bag and a zip tie to secure the tag to harvested game.
• LDWF is currently working to establish electronic tags that we hope will be available for 2022’s hunting season.

Charter Licenses

• Freshwater Charter Boat Captains will now be required to have a license to operate. The license is similar to the Saltwater Charter Boat Fishing Guide License.
• A Saltwater Charter Boat License can only be obtained after showing proof of current insurance and a valid captain's license from the United States Coast Guard.
• Resident and non-resident anglers will now be able to purchase a 3-day Charter Freshwater License in lieu of a yearly Basic Fishing License if they plan to only fish with a Licensed Freshwater Charter Captain. The similar saltwater 3-day Saltwater Charter Passenger License will also remain available.

Hunting Guide Licenses

• A hunting guide must possess a valid hunting guide license, proof of liability insurance, and a valid
  State Recreational Hunting License that grants hunting privileges appropriate for his clients’ guided hunting activity.
• Any person acting as a hunting guide who is in charge of the operation of a vessel shall also have a valid captain's license issued by the United States Coast Guard.

Seafood Business

• Businesses selling seafood from a vehicle will be required to purchase a Seafood Wholesale/Retail Dealer License.
• Any Individual can now be added to a fresh products license at any time for $5.00. The request to add this individual MUST come from the original license holder.

Boat Registration

• Boat registrations will be good for 3 years.
• 100% of boat registration revenue will go into the Aquatic Plant Control Fund with a yearly cap of $5 million; any overage will go to the Conservation Fund.
• Paddle craft will NOT require registration.