Saltwater Fishing

State and Federal Licenses and Permit Requirements

State License Requirements

1. Basic Fishing License
2. Saltwater Fishing License
3. Recreational anglers who are 18 years of age or older and charter captains are required to obtain a no-fee Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) to possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, hinds, snappers, dolphinfish, wahoo, cobia and gray triggerfish. Anglers wishing to obtain or renew a permit must register or log in at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries ROLP portal. More details on this program are also available on this site. Anglers going on a charter trip are not required to have a ROLP; instead, it is required that the charter captain have a valid Charter Recreational Offshore Landing Permit in his/her possession. A Charter ROLP covers all paying anglers on a charter trip. A Charter ROLP is also valid for the captain on any private recreational trips taken without clients. Charter captains should only register for a Charter ROLP if they take clients on trips for ROLP species. Charter captains who only go on private trips (trips on which they are not acting as a captain/guide) for ROLP species should register for a Private ROLP using their recreational fishing license. No person should have both a private recreational and Charter ROLP at the same time.
4. A no-fee Recreational Saltwater Bowfishing Permit is required for all anglers age 18 and older who take or attempt to take saltwater recreational fish with bowfishing gear, or who engage in bowfishing activity south of the designated saltwater line shown on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries boundaries page. Anglers under the age of 18 years and anglers on a charter boat as clients are not required to have a Bowfishing Permit. Charter captains, including those fishing from vessels with a valid federal charter/headboat permit, are required to have a valid Charter Bowfishing Permit to take clients on bowfishing trips. A Charter Bowfishing Permit covers all paying anglers on a charter trip. A Charter Bowfishing Permit is also valid for the captain on any private, recreational bowfishing trips he may take. Charter captains should only register for a Charter Bowfishing Permit if they take clients on bowfishing trips. Charter captains who only go on private bowfishing trips (trips on which they are not acting as a captain/guide) should register for a private recreational Bowfishing Permit using their recreational fishing license. No person should have both a private recreational and Charter Bowfishing Permit at the same time.

All applicable licenses must be in possession of the angler.

Federal License Requirements

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Division in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of America and Caribbean Sea.

1. An Atlantic HMS Angling Permit is required for vessels fishing for tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks. You may apply for an initial or renewal permit in one of several ways. The permit fee is $24.
   • To apply for an initial or renewal permit online, visit the NMFS Permit Shop. Permits will be valid from the date of issuance through Dec. 31 of the same year.
   • An initial or renewal application package can be downloaded from the NMFS Permit Shop or mailed by calling the NMFS at (888) 872-8862.
   • Renew permits by calling the automated voice response system at (888) 872-8862. Permits will be valid from the date of issuance through Dec. 31, 2026.
   • A shark endorsement is required when targeting or possessing sharks under this permit. See NMFS Permit Shop for more details.
2. An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of America. The permit fee is $24. HMS Charter/Headboat Permit will be valid from the date of issuance through Dec. 31 of the same year.

Information about obtaining HMS permits and regulations is available at NMFS Permit Shop or by calling (888) 872-8862.

Know Before You Go

The National Marine Fisheries Service has a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Weather Service to broadcast unanticipated and time-critical fishery regulatory actions where there is minimal opportunity for advance public notice. These broadcasts are issued for four or five days, 24 hours a day, by selected NWR coastal stations. (VHF frequencies in MHz)

• 162.400
• 162.525
• 162.550
• 162.425
• 162.450
• 162.475

Saltwater Species You Cannot Harvest

Threatened or Endangered and Prohibited Species

The federally listed threatened and endangered, or prohibited species listed below are off limits for fishing or recreational take. Civil and criminal penalties may apply for taking the following aquatic species. If any of these protected species are incidentally caught, they must be released immediately unharmed. For information on safely releasing fish, visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries best fishing practices page.

• All Whales
• Dolphin (mammal)
• Goliath Grouper
• Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi)
• Largetooth Sawfish
• Nassau Grouper
• Sea Turtles
• Smalltooth Sawfish
• West Indian Manatee

Sharks

• Atlantic Angel Shark
• Basking Shark
• Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark
• Bigeye Sixgill Shark
• Bigeye Thresher Shark
• Bignose Shark
• Caribbean Reef Shark
• Caribbean Sharpnose Shark
• Dusky Shark
• Galapagos Shark
• Longfin Mako Shark
• Narrowtooth Shark
• Night Shark
• Sand Tiger Shark
• Sevengill Shark
• Sixgill Shark
• Shortfin Mako Shark
• Smalltail Shark
• Whale Shark
• White Shark

Important Information about Fishing in Gulf of America Federal Waters

The Gulf Council manages federal waters from where the Louisiana gulfward boundary ends and extends 200 miles seaward into the Gulf of America. Louisiana recreational and commercial anglers fishing beyond the 3 nautical-mile Louisiana gulfward boundary are in federal waters.

*NOTE: The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a resolution to clarify the effects of the extension of the state water boundary from three to nine nautical miles for reef fish management purposes, as established by the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The resolution clearly states that fishing gear used by the reef fish anglers in the commercial and recreational sectors will not change within these new boundary waters. The anglers of Louisiana will have the benefit of Louisiana’s reef fish management to 9 nautical miles, but there will be no change to the method of take or gear restrictions. Please also note that red drum are not considered reef fish; therefore, there is no change to regulations impacting this species.

LDWF reminds charter anglers with federal reef fish permits that they are only allowed to fish these new boundary waters when the federal recreational reef fish season is open. Federal reef fish permit regulations restrict the permit holder to the most restrictive season.

These waters are also known as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Federal fishing regulations are not always the same as state fishing regulations. To make sure that you are in complete compliance with federal regulations call the Gulf Council at (888) 833-1844, or e-mail. Visit Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council for information about federal fishing regulations, measurement guidelines, sanctuaries and closures, and fish identification charts.

Recreational Saltwater Tournament Operators

Federal regulations require any person conducting a fishing tournament in the federal waters of the Gulf of America involving the catch and/or landing of any HMS regulated species to register with the HMS Management Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service at least four weeks prior to start of the tournament. A Tournament Registration Form and additional details are available on the National Marine Fisheries Service tournament registration page.

Fax: (727) 824-5398

Mailing Address:
HMS Tournament Registration
National Marine Fisheries Service
263 13th Avenue S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Once the registration form has been processed an Atlantic HMS Tournament Confirmation Number will be produced and provided to the tournament operator.

NOTE: Registration is not complete unless the tournament operator has received a confirmation number from the HMS Management Division of NMFS. For more information, call (727) 824-5399 or visit NMFS Permit Shop.

There are many ways to catch fish and other aquatic species in Louisiana’s beautiful coastal waters. The headings below define the legal methods and illegal methods of take, plus certain exceptions that are allowed by species, methods and locations.

Always check with an LDWF Enforcement Office if you have questions.

Legal Methods

Some species of gamefish may not be taken with the gear listed below.

• Hook and Line
• Trolling Line
• Handline
• Bait Casting
• Yo-yos or Trigger Devices
• Bow and Arrow
• Dip Nets
• Fly Casting Apparatus
• Recreational Crawfish Traps (must have a minimum mesh size of a hexagon of 3/4 by 11/16 of 1 inch from wire to wire not including any coating on the wire)
• Standard Spearing Equipment (used by a skin diver sport fishing in saltwater or freshwater when submerged in the water)
• Barbless Spear or Multi-pronged Barbed Gig (may be used in saltwater for taking flounder ONLY)

Exceptions to Methods of Take by Species

An alternative method is allowed for taking red drum. Harvest of any other saltwater game fish species by this method is prohibited.

Red Drum

LEGAL

• Bow and Arrow
• Standard Spearing Equipment used by a skin diver submerged in water when sport fishing

Saltwater Restrictions and Exceptions by Method

Skin Divers

With the exception of freshwater game fish, the only legal method for a skin diver to take fish is when submerged in water using standard spearing equipment. See definition of game fish.

Mobility Impaired Individuals

Mobility impaired persons that are bona fide residents of Louisiana in possession of valid identification, and over 60 years of age, must purchase the applicable license.

Illegal Methods for Fishing or taking all Fish

It is unlawful to possess any of the prohibited instruments, weapons, substances or devices described below with the intent to take fish.

• Gill Nets (freshwater and saltwater)
• Spears
• Poisons
• Stupefying Substances or Devices
• Explosives
• Guns
• Tree-topping Devices
• Any instrument or device capable of producing electric current to shock fish
• Snagging Devices

You may not use any aircraft including fixed-wing, dirigibles, balloons, helicopters, or any other form of aerial surveillance to assist in harvesting finfish, except menhaden and herring-like fish.

Legal Bait Species

Including minnows, Shad, crawfish and shrimp (not including game fish)

LEGAL

• Cast nets
• Minnow traps
• Dip Nets(net must be on a fixed frame no larger than 3 feet in diameter worked exclusively by hand, by no more than one person, without any mechanical assistance)
• Bait Seines (a maximum mesh size not exceeding 1/4-inch bar, 1/2 inch stretched and 30 feet in length; must be operated solely on foot and by hand, without any pulley, mechanical device or assistance whatsoever)
• Recreational Trawls, only allowed in state waters when and where shrimp season is open (see Recreational Shrimping).

Important Information About Bringing Your Saltwater Catch to Shore

All saltwater finfish in the possession of a recreational angler must have the head and caudal fin intact until set on shore. Garfish may have the head and caudal fin removed prior to the fish being on shore as long as a sufficient patch of skin that clearly identifies the fish remains on the fish.

Exception: Tuna, swordfish and sharks possessed by a recreational angler must not be skinned or scaled until set or put on shore. Tuna that meet minimum size requirements may have the head removed if the carcass length is in excess of the minimum total length. For more information on lengths, visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries best fishing practices page.

Fillets may not be possessed on the water, except for the purpose of consumption at sea aboard the harvesting vessel. An individual must not have more than 2 pounds of finfish parts per person in state waters, or more than 1.5 pounds of finfish parts per person in federal waters, on board the vessel, provided that the vessel is equipped to cook finfish and that the finfish does not exceed applicable bag limits. These provisions do not apply to bait species.

Saltwater finfish caught or transported by a recreational angler are presumed to have been caught in Louisiana waters, for license requirements.

All regulations regarding these species apply whether caught in freshwater or saltwater areas.

Fillets exception:

An angler who holds and is in possession of a valid recreational fishing license and can demonstrate to the department’s satisfaction use of a boat launch located south of U.S. Hwy 90 and that the angler has been actively on the water or at a remote camp that can be accessed only by water for two days or more may possess up to the possession limit of filleted red drum, spotted seatrout, and southern flounder. The filleted fish shall have sufficient skin remaining on the fillet to allow for identification of the species and shall be segregated by species into plastic bags or plastic containers that are marked by species to allow for easy identification, the date caught, and the name and license number of the person who took the fish. The fish shall be in possession only of the person who took the fish. However, no angler shall be actively fishing or engaged in fishing while in possession of more than the daily take limit.

Required Onboard Gear for Fishing in Gulf of America Federal Waters

Louisiana state waters extend 9 nautical miles (10.357 statute miles or 3 marine leagues) seaward from the nearest land, but in some cases extend further. The EEZ is described as waters that extend seaward from that point out to 200 miles from the coast.

Recreational anglers onboard a vessel to fish for or possess Gulf reef fish in the Gulf of America EEZ must possess onboard and use the required gear as specified below. These devices are required because they reduce mortality on released fish. For more information on safely releasing fish, visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries best fishing practices page.

Non-stainless Steel Circle Hooks

Non-stainless steel circle hooks are required when fishing with natural baits for reef fish.

Dehooking Device

At least one dehooking device is required on board and must be used to remove hooks embedded in Gulf reef fish with minimum damage. The device must be constructed to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without reengaging during the removal process. The dehooking end must be blunt and all edges rounded. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the Gulf reef fishery.

DESCENDING DEVICE or VENTING TOOL

A descending device or venting tool that is rigged and ready for use, while fishing is occurring for Gulf reef fish in the Gulf EEZ, is required. This requirement is effective until Jan. 14, 2026.