Operators of for-hire/charter vessels derive income from bringing recreational fishermen to take and retain legal species of fish.
Search the table linked below to make sure your charter captain has an active Charter Boat Fishing Guide License in Louisiana. If you would like more information on available charter captains, please visit the Louisiana Charter Boat Association’s website.
Licensed charter boat fishing guides and mothership vessels must have proof of liability insurance in their possession while on the water and make it available for inspection by duly authorized LDWF agents.
Saltwater charter captains, including those fishing from vessels with a valid federal charter/headboat permit, are required to have a valid Charter ROLP to possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, cobia, wahoo, and dolphinfish in Louisiana waters.
more information get or renew your ROLPHistorical Captain Permits that were valid or renewable on October 25, 2018, will be eligible for replacement with standard for-hire permits. Individuals have two years (June 21, 2020–June 21, 2022) to replace eligible permits and associate the newly issued permits with a vessel.
To apply for a conversion, contact NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Permit Office at 877.376.4877 or 727.824.5326.
As of January 5, 2021, all charter, headboat, and dually-permitted vessels with federal Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish or Coastal Migratory Pelagic permits must comply with Phase 1 requirements of the federal SEFHIER Program. Phase 2 requirements will be implemented March 1, 2022.
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