General Information
LDWF Fisheries Contact Information
Freshwater Offices
Minden 318-371-3050
Monroe 318-343-4044
Pineville 318-487-5885
Lake Charles 337-491-2219
Lafayette 337-262-2080
Baton Rouge 225-765-2337
Lacombe 985-882-5228
Natchitoches 318-357-3214
Saltwater Offices
Lacombe 985-882-0027
Grand Isle 985-787-2163
New Orleans 504-284-2030
Bourg 985-594-4139
Lafayette 337-262-2080
Lake Charles 337-491-2579
Licensing / Boat Registration Information
225-765-2887 or 225-765-2898
For specific information on boat registration, please visit
www.wlf.la.gov/boat-registration-boat-and-motor-titles
LDWF Enforcement Offices
Have a specific question that you don’t see answered here?
Call an Enforcement Office to speak with someone directly.
Baton Rouge - - 225-765-2999
Lafayette - - 337-262-2080
Lake Charles - - 337-491-2580
Minden - - 318-371-3049
Monroe - - 318-343-2417
New Orleans - - 504-284-2023
Pineville - - 318-487-5634
Thibodaux - - 985-447-0821
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.
General information for Freshwater & Saltwater Anglers
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.
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 diagram
- Signs of barotrauma in fish and how to reverse it
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.
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 differ from day to day due to tides and shifts in wind and currents, in most cases, the flora and fauna found on either side of the line differ dramatically. A detailed description of the saltwater-freshwater line can be found below. As with any regulation issue, please contact your local LDWF Enforcement Office with any questions you may have (see Department of Wildlife & Fisheries).
NOTE: Persons fishing and/or possessing saltwater fish in these areas are required to have a saltwater fishing license in addition to the basic fishing license. Persons fishing for and/or possessing freshwater fish 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.
