WMAs, Refuges & Federal Lands

Wildlife management areas (WMAs), refuges and certain federal lands may have special fishing seasons and bag and possession limits, size limits or closures that differ from general regulations.

Required Licenses

Either a WMA Access Annual or 5-day Permit is required for all users of LDWF administered lands, including wildlife management areas, refuges and wetlands conservation areas. Persons 17 and under are not required to purchase WMA access permits. WMA access permits are not required for persons only traveling through the LDWF administered lands provided that the most direct route is taken and no activities or stops take place. This permit is included in the Sportsman’s Paradise License, Senior Hunt/Fish License and all lifetime licenses. WMA Access and Camping Permits may be purchased at LouisianaOutdoors.com. This permit is not required for access to National Wildlife Refuges or other Federally managed lands.

General Information

Use of airboats, aircraft, personal water craft, “mud crawling vessels” (commonly referred to as crawfish combines which use paddle wheels for locomotion) and hover craft is prohibited on LDWF-administered lands, EXCEPT type A personal water craft, model year 2003 and beyond, which are eight feet in length and greater, may be operated within WMAs from April 1 until the Monday of Labor Day weekend, from sunrise to sunset only, and EXCEPT personal water craft are allowed on designated portions of Alexander State Forest WMA year around. No person shall operate such watercraft at a speed greater than “slow/no wake” within 100 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, shoreline, dock, pier or persons engaged in angling or any other manually powered vessel.

Operation of internal combustion powered vessels within designated Limited Access Areas (LAAs) prohibited during the months of September through January. Trolling motors may be used to access and navigate within LAAs. Vehicles prohibited November through January. LAAs are on Atchafalaya Delta, Boeuf, Dewey W. Wills, Joyce, Manchac, Pass-A-Loutre, Pomme de Terre, Pointe-Aux-Chenes and Russell Sage WMAs. See WMA maps for specific locations.

Operation of vessels beyond bare steerage speed (the slowest speed a vessel can travel while maintaining directional control) in no wake zones prohibited.

A Self-Clearing Permit is required for ALL ACTIVITIES on LDWF administered lands including wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas (WMAs) and wildlife conservation areas (WCAs), EXCEPT for Rockefeller and Marsh Island Wildlife Refuges. The Self-Clearing Permit consists of two portions: Check In and Check Out.

• All persons must obtain a Self-Clearing Permit from a Self-Clearing Permit Station or check in/out electronically through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app/Internet Web portal. If checking in through a Self-Clearing Permit Station check-in portion must be completed and put in a permit box before each day’s activity on the day of the activity. Users may check in one day in advance of use.
• The check-out portion must be carried by each person while on the LDWF-administered land and must be completed and put in a permit box immediately upon exiting the LDWF-administered land.
• Self-Clearing Permits are not required of fishers and boaters who enter a WMA via watercraft from outside the WMA, provided they do not get out of the watercraft and onto WMA property.
• Self-Clearing Permits are not required for motorists/boaters traveling through the LDWF-administered land provided that the most direct route is taken and no activities or stops take place.

Operating, modifying, tampering with or altering water control structures on WMAs is prohibited.

Additional restrictions may apply at some WMAs. The following information includes specific restrictions by WMA. For additional information, contact your local LDWF Office.

For National Wildlife Refuges, please contact the area offices as follows:

• North Louisiana Complex - 318-726-4222
• Central Louisiana Complex - 318-253-4238
• Southeast Louisiana Complex - 985-882-2000
• Southwest Louisiana Complex - 337-598-2216

For fishing information on the Indian Bayou Recreational Area within the Atchafalaya Basin or the Bonne Carre Spillway contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 337-585-0853.

For fishing information within the Catahoula and Red Dirt National Wildlife Management Preserves, contact Kisatchie National forest 318-473-7160.

Atchafalaya Delta

• Camping and houseboat mooring is allowed only in designated areas. Houseboat mooring is allowed via permit only (through annual lottery or by a bid lease program) during hunting season and by normal means during the remainder of the year. Contact Lafayette Field Office for details.
• Vessels/Vehicles: Mudboats or air-cooled propulsion vessels powered by more than 36 total horsepower are prohibited on the WMA.
• Self-Clearing Permits available from Main Delta campground, Wax Delta Campground, Cul-de-sac on Big Island, and Berwick Public Boat Launch (Jesse Fontenot Boat Launch) or through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or internet/web portal.

Big Lake

Yoyos, limb lines and trotlines prohibited on Big Lake and Chain Lake. Commercial fishing prohibited.

Biloxi

Vessels/Vehicles: Mud boats or air-cooled propulsion vessels can only be powered by straight shaft “long tail” air-cooled mud motors that are 25 total horsepower or less on the WMA. All other types of airboats, mud boats or air cooled propulsion vessels (including “surface drive” boats) are prohibited.

• Overnight mooring of all vessels 50 feet in length or longer is prohibited.
• Camping and houseboat mooring Is allowed only in designated areas.

Barataria Preserve - National Park Service, Crown Point

Fishing or engaging in related activities, like crabbing or crawfish harvesting is permitted in the preserve subject to the following conditions:

• All reptile species are protected in the park and may not be harvested, collected or possessed while within the park.
• Amphibian species that are authorized by the state of Louisiana to be taken as game may be taken within the preserve.
• Anglers must otherwise comply with all State of Louisiana fishing regulations.
• Anglers may only fish from or access fishing areas from the Twin Canals trail and the Kenta Canal area. All other trails, bridges and canoe docks are closed to fishing.

Fishing is prohibited in any of the following areas of the Barataria Preserve: Visitor Center and Visitor Center Trail; Palmetto Trail; Bayou Coquille Trail; Marsh Overlook Trail; Ring Levee Trail; Pecan Grove Canoe Launch Trail; or from any vehicular bridge, sidewalks, trails, old road beds and utility access corridors.

Mooring or grounding of any watercraft over 25 feet in length is prohibited within any waters administered by Jean Lafitte NHP&P.

Operating a motorized watercraft, including electric trolling motors or airboats, is prohibited in the following areas of the Barataria Preserve: Bayou Des Famillies; Bayou Coquille; and Twin Canals

Hoop Nets

The use of a hoop net to capture fish is prohibited within all areas of the preserve.

Jug Line Fishing

Fishing with an unattended baited line attached to a float (jug line fishing) is permitted within the preserve with the following conditions:

• The angler clearly marks the float with their name, phone number and date last set.
• Jug lines are checked at least once every 24 hours.
• Jug lines are removed when no longer tended.
• Trotlines and lines attached to anything other than a float are prohibited.

Crabbing

The taking of crabs by means of a trap is permitted within the preserve with the following conditions:

• The trapper has a valid fishing license with a recreational crab trap endorsement.
• The trapper clearly marks the float of the trap with their name, phone number and date last set.
• The trapper sets no more than 10 traps per person.
• The trapper checks the traps at least twice a week.
• The trapper removes the traps when no longer tended.
• Recreational crabbing possession limit is 12 dozen (144) crabs per person per day.

Crawfish

Crawfish harvesting is permitted in the preserve along road side areas and along the Wood Duck trail, subject to the following harvesting conditions:

• Crawfish harvesting occurs between March 1 and June 30.
• Conducted up to 50 feet beyond the outside toe of the roadway, or trail shoulder or embankment.
• Conducted while using baited lift type mesh nets or baited wire traps. All other types of traps are prohibited.
• Anglers are limited to 10 or fewer nets or traps. Each trap must be continuously attended.
• Anglers require a valid fishing license with a gear endorsement to harvest crawfish within the preserve if using crawfish traps.
• The use of crawfish nets does not require a fishing license.
• Anglers are limited to 150 pounds of crawfish per person.

Bodcau

Nets and traps prohibited in Ivan Lake.

Bussey Brake

• Recreational fishing and all other allowed non-consumptive uses only.
• No personal watercraft or water skiing.
• No camping.
• No ATVs/UTVs or electric bicycles allowed.
• No motorized vehicles of any type allowed on reservoir levee except at boat launch for purpose of launching boat or to access fishing pier.
• Pulling boats over levees or any other activities that cause detriment to the levees is prohibited.
• Horseback riding and non-motorized bicycles are allowed only on the designated trail named levee trail (see map at boat launch kiosk). Access is granted at two marked locations, adjacent to the boat launch and just beyond the boat launch parking area.
• No tying boats to channel marker poles.
• A no-wake zone is in effect in the harbor inside the wave break.
• No boats allowed within 30 feet of fishing piers.

Fishing

• Fish may be taken only by rod and reel or cane pole for recreational purposes.
• All types of nets, including but not limited to gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, wire nets, fyke nets and fish seines are prohibited.
• Trotlines, yo-yos, limb lines, stump lines, slat traps, jugs, cans, and pipes are prohibited.
• Shoreline (non-boat) fishing only allowed at designated locations.
• No fishing or lake access from rocks along interior of reservoir levee.

Black Bass

• Daily Limit: recreational daily creel limit shall be five fish, in the aggregate.
• Possession Limit: possession limit shall be five fish while on water and 10 fish while off water, in the aggregate.
• Length: the maximum total length limit shall be 16 inches, with the exception that one fish over 16 inches may be kept.

Crappie

• Daily Limit: recreational daily limit shall be 25 fish, in the aggregate.
• Possession Limit: possession limit shall be 25 fish while on water and 50 fish while off water, in the aggregate.
• Length: the minimum total length shall be 10 inches.

Bluegill (Bream)

• Daily Limit: recreational daily creel limit shall be 50 fish, in the aggregate.
• Possession Limit: possession limit shall be 50 fish while on the water and 100 while off the water in the aggregate.
• Length: no minimum length.

Dewey W. Wills

Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day.

CAMERON PRAIRIE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

East Cove Unit

• Closed Areas are designated by a No Fishing or Area Closed signs for safety or management purposes.
• Public access is open year round, except during Louisiana coastal zone waterfowl hunting season or when Grand Bayous boat bay is closed.
• Boat access is permitted one hour before legal sunrise until one hour after legal sunset for fishing, crabbing and cast netting.
• There are no horsepower restrictions on boat motors and may be operated in refuge canals, bayous and lakes along with open trolling motor operation in marshes.
• Grand Bayou boat passage is only 10 feet wide and public use within this unit is boat use only; walking, wading, and/or climbing in or on the marsh, levees, or structures is prohibited.
• Fishing is permitted with rod and reel or pole and line only, daily fish limits are the same as Louisiana’s Sport Fishing limits.
• Crabbing is permitted with hand lines and drop nets only cotton line and drop nets up to 24” outside diameter may be used. The daily crab limit is five dozen (60) crabs per day, per vehicle or boat.
• Cast netting for shrimp is permitted during Louisiana inshore water season only. They must be 8.5 feet in radius daily shrimp limit is 5 gallons of heads-on shrimp per day, per vehicle or boat. Cast netting for bait is permitted year round, with bait shrimp limit outside LA shrimp season being 1 gallon per day per vehicle or boat.

Gibbstown Unit

• Closed Areas are designated by a No Fishing or Area Closed signs for safety or management purposes.
• Bank fishing and cast netting are open year round sunrise to sunset.
• Boat access is permitted for fishing and cast netting March 15 to Oct. 15, one hour before legal sunrise until one hour after legal sunset.
• Motorized boats are permitted in Outfall canal with no horsepower restrictions.
• Nonmotorized boats are permitted in Roadside Canal and waterways accessible from Bank Fishing Road.
• Fishing is permitted with rod and reel or pole and line only, daily fish limits are the same as Louisiana’s Sport Fishing limits.
• Cast netting for bait is permitted when units are open for fishing only, with bait shrimp limit outside LA shrimp season being 1 gallon per day per vehicle or boat.

Elbow Slough

Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Recreational crawfishing only, no traps or nets left overnight. March 1 - July 31.

Elmer’s Island Wildlife Refuge

• Commercial fishing, including guide service, is CLOSED.
• Access and use of Elmer’s Island is only permitted 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset seven days a week. However, the secretary of LDWF may restrict any portion of Elmer’s Island whenever circumstances exist such that restrictions are necessary to protect the Refuge or to protect the public from harm.
• Camping or overnight activities are prohibited.
• No glass containers are allowed.
• The discharge of firearms, including muzzleloaders or bows and arrows is prohibited.
• Maximum speed limit on the island is 5 MPH.
• Check for emergency closures and other information on Elmer’s Island at www.wlf.la.gov/page/elmers-island.

Esler Field (formerly Camp Beauregard)

Special regulations to be posted at Twin Lakes.

Fort Johnson - Vernon (formerly Fort Polk-Vernon)

Special regulations pertaining to fishing are posted at specific lakes.

Grassy Lake

• Recreational fishing regulations are the same as outside. NOTE: Allowed only after 2 p.m., during waterfowl season, EXCEPT allowed after 10 a.m. during early teal season.
• Recreational crawfishing is allowed from March 15 - July 31 and is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. No traps or nets are to be left overnight.

Isle Dernieres Barrier Islands Refuge

Wine Island, East Island, TRINITY ISLAND, Whiskey Island and Raccoon Island

• Public access by any means to the exposed land areas, wetlands and interior waterways of these islands is prohibited.
• Disturbing, injuring, collecting, or attempting to disturb, injure, or collect any flora, fauna, or other property is prohibited without a permit.
• Boat traffic is allowed adjacent to the islands in the open waters of the Gulf and bays.
• Boat traffic is prohibited in waterways extending into the interior of the islands or within any land-locked open waters or wetlands of the islands.
• Fishing from boats along the shore and wade fishing in the surf areas of the islands is allowed.
• Littering on the islands or in Louisiana waters or wetlands is prohibited.

J.C. Sonny Gilbert

Fishing restricted to rod and reel, and pole fishing only. All other gear prohibited.

Joyce

Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Recreational crawfishing only.

KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST- NATIONAL CATAHOULA AND NATIONAL RED DIRT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PRESERVES

Preserves will be closed to fishing during deer gun hunts. Consult hunting regulations for dates.

LACASSINE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

• Open to fishing and crabbing March 15 to October 15, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunrise.
• Boat motors must be 40 hp or less.
• Unit D is restricted to boats with trolling motors or without motors.
• More information can be found here www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/southwest-louisiana-NWR-complex-fishing-and-boating-regulations.pdf

Lake Boeuf

• Self-Clearing Permits available at Theriot Canal Boat Landing off LA 308 or through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or internet/web portal.
• All nighttime activities prohibited, including frogging.

Little River

Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Recreational crawfishing only, no traps or nets left overnight. March 1 - July 31.

Manchac

Crab traps are prohibited. Attended lift nets are allowed.

Maurepas Swamp

Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Recreational crawfishing only.

Pass-A-Loutre

• Oyster harvesting is prohibited.
• Camping is allowed only in designated areas.
• Self-Clearing Permits available at all designated camping areas, Camp Canal and at the WMA Headquarters or through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or internet/web portal.
• Vessels/Vehicles: Mudboats or air-cooled propulsion vessels powered by more than 36 total horsepower are prohibited on the WMA. Operation of mud boats and air-cooled propulsion engines prohibited after 2:00 p.m. Sept. 1 - Jan. 31, EXCEPT allowed after 2:00 p.m. in South Pass, Pass-a-Loutre, Southeast Pass, Loomis Pass, Dennis Pass, and Cadro Pass.

Pearl River

Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Recreational crawfishing only.

Pomme De Terre

• Recreational fishing regulations are the same as outside. NOTE: Allowed only after 2 p.m., during waterfowl season, EXCEPT allowed after 10 a.m. during early teal season.
• Recreational crawfishing is allowed from March 15 - July 31 and is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. No traps or nets are to be left overnight.

Pointe-aux-Chenes

• All nighttime activities prohibited. Possession of more than one daily limit of fish/crab/shrimp while on the WMA is prohibited.
• The harvest of all fish, shrimp, crabs and crawfish is for recreational purposes only and any commercial use is prohibited.
• Self-Clearing Permits available at Island Road Boat Launch, Grand Bayou Boat Launch and at Point Farm gate behind Montegut Middle School or through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or internet/web portal.
• Fishing, crabbing, cast netting or any other activities or trespassing on water control structures are prohibited.

Shrimping

• Shrimp may be taken by the use of cast nets only.
• During the inside open shrimp season, 25 pounds per boat or vehicle per day (heads on) maximum allowed. Size count must conform to open season requirements.
• During the inside closed season, 10 pounds per boat or vehicle per day (heads on) may be taken for bait.
• All castnet contents shall be contained and bycatch returned to the water immediately.

Oysters

• Oyster harvesting is prohibited.

Finfish

• Fish may be taken only by rod and reel or by hand lines for recreational purposes only.

Crabbing

• Crabs may be taken only through the use of hand lines or nets; however, none are to remain set overnight.
• No drop nets left unattended at any time. A maximum of 12 drop nets may be possessed/attended per boat or vehicle.
• Twelve dozen crabs maximum are allowed per boat or vehicle per day.

Crawfishing

• Crawfish may be harvested in unrestricted portions of the WMA and shall be limited to 100 pounds per person per day.
• Fishing gear used to catch crawfish must not remain set overnight.

Vessels & vehicles

• All boats powered by internal combustion engines having horsepower ratings above 25 hp., are not allowed in the Grand Bayou, Montegut and Pointe-aux-Chenes water management units. The public is permitted to travel anytime through the WMA for access purposes only, in the waterways known as Bayou Pointe-aux-Chenes, Grand Bayou, Humble Canal, Little Bayou Blue, St. Louis Canal, and Grand Bayou Blue. All other motorized vehicles, as well as horses and mules, are prohibited unless authorized by LDWF.

Queen Bess Island Wildlife Refuge

• Public access by any means to the exposed land areas, breakwaters and areas between land and breakwaters is prohibited.
• Disturbing, injuring, collecting, or attempting to disturb, injure, or collect any flora, fauna, natural debris, or other property is prohibited without a permit.
• Littering on the refuge or in Louisiana waters or wetlands is prohibited.

Richard K. Yancey

• That portion West of the Mississippi River Levee, March 15 - July 31, recreational crawfishing only.
• Crawfish harvest limited to 100 pounds per person per day.
• No nets or traps may be left overnight. No motorized watercraft allowed.
• Fishing closed from 30 minutes before sunrise until 2 p.m. on: Grand Bay, Silver Lake, Lower Sunk Lake, Lac A’ Sostein, Moreau Lake, and Hog Pen Lake during open waterfowl seasons, EXCEPT during early Teal Season, recreational fishing allowed after 10 a.m.

Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, State Wildlife Refuge (Vermilion) & Marsh Island Wildlife Refuge

• Trawling is prohibited.
• Trotlines, jug lines, trammel and gill nets, and traps are prohibited.
• Use of the refuges is permitted from official sunrise to official sunset. This includes access routes through the refuge. Overnight camping is prohibited.
• Firearms are prohibited. Littering is prohibited. Damage to or removal of trees, shrubs, and wild plants without prior approval is prohibited.
• Tampering with or altering water control structures is prohibited.

Shrimping

• 25 pounds of shrimp (heads on) per boat or vehicle per day is allowed during the inside open shrimp season as established by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
• 10 pounds of shrimp (heads on) for bait purposes may be caught during the closed season.
• Shrimp may be harvested only by cast net on the refuge and only for sport fishing or home consumption use. When harvesting shrimp with a cast net, contents shall be dumped in a container and not on the ground.

Crawfishing

• Recreational crawfishing is permitted in the open portion of the refuge with a limit of 100 pounds per boat or vehicle per day.
• Set nets may be used but must be attended and removed from the refuge daily. No commercial harvest is allowed.

Crabbing

• Crabs may be harvested from the open portion of the refuge with a limit of 12 dozen crabs per boat or vehicle per day.
• NOTE: No commercial harvest is allowed on Marsh Island, State Wildlife and Rockefeller refuges.

Oysters

• Oysters may be harvested by tonging (properly licensed) or by hand collection from the natural reefs, but only in waters approved (open) for harvest by the Department of Health.
• One gallon per boat or vehicle per day is allowed and oysters must be opened at the reef and the shells returned to the reef.
• Taking of oysters from the natural reefs may be closed at any time by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Vessels & Vehicles

• Speedboat racing and water skiing are prohibited.
• All boat traffic shall honor no wake zones and shall keep wave wash to a minimum.
• Pulling boats over or around levees, dams or water control structures or any other activities that may cause detriment to the integrity of levees, dams and water control structures is prohibited.
• Jet skis and airboats are prohibited.

Salvador/Timken

• All nighttime activities prohibited, EXCEPT during the Experimental Nighttime Activity Season.
• Self-Clearing Permits available at Pier 90 boat launch, Bayou Gauche boat launch and Bayou Segnette State Park boat launches or through the LDWF Self-Clearing Permit app or internet/web portal.
• The harvest of all fish, shrimp, crabs and crawfish are for recreational purposes only and any commercial use is prohibited.

Shrimping

• Shrimp may be taken by the use of cast nets only.
• During the inside open shrimp season, 25 pounds per boat per day (heads on) maximum shall be permitted. Size count shall conform with any open season requirements.
• During the inside closed season, 10 pounds per boat per day (heads on) maximum may be taken for bait.
• All castnet contents shall be contained and bycatch returned to the water immediately.

Finfish

• Fish may be taken only by rod and reel, or by hand lines for recreational purposes.

Crabbing

• Crabs may be taken only through the use of hand lines or nets; however, none are to remain set overnight.
• Twelve dozen crabs maximum are allowed per boat or vehicle per day.

Crawfishing

• Crawfish may be harvested in unrestricted portions of the WMA and shall be limited to 100 pounds per person per day. Fishing gear used to catch crawfish shall not remain set overnight.

Vessels & vehicles

• Use of mudboats powered by internal combustion engines with more than four cylinders is prohibited.
• Pulling boats over levees, dams or water control structures or any other activities that may cause detriment to the integrity of levees, dams and water control structures is prohibited.

Experimental Nighttime Activity Season

• 12 a.m., June 1 through official sunrise Aug. 15. Nighttime activities LIMITED to the take of frogs and fishing with a rod and reel. All other nighttime activities prohibited. Daily limit of 50 frogs per vessel in aggregate (bull frogs/pig frogs). If engaged in frogging on or while traversing the WMA, all frogs in possession will be deemed to have been taken from the WMA. At no time may anyone possess more than on daily limit of frogs while on the water.
• Size Limit: (Measured from the tip of the muzzle to the posterior end of the body between the hind legs). Bull frogs harvested must be 5 inches or larger. Pig frogs harvested must be 3 inches or larger.
• Check out portion of Self-Clearing Permit must include boat registration number under the comments section. Possession of firearms while participation in any experimental nighttime activity is prohibited.

Russell Sage

• Crawfishing is limited to 100 pounds per person per day limit.
• The waterfowl refuge north of LA Hwy. 15 is closed to all fishing during duck season, including early teal season, EXCEPT allowed during the “Falconry for Ducks” portion of the waterfowl season.

Sabine National Wildlife Refuge

• Northline Recreation Area
• Boat launching access open to fishing and crabbing March 15 to Oct. 15, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunrise.
• Fishing and crabbing from the pier open year round sunrise to sunset.
• Hog Island Gully Recreation Area
• Boat and kayak launching access open to fishing March 15 to Oct. 15, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
• Fishing and crabbing from the pier open year round sunrise to sunset.
• Blue Crab Recreation Area
• Non-motorized boat launching access into Units 1A and 1B for fishing open March 15 to Oct. 15, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
• Non-motorized boat launching access into Units 1A and 1B for fishing open Oct. 16 to March 14, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
• Fishing and crabbing from the pier open year round sunrise to sunset.
• West Cove Recreation Area
• Boat launching access open to fishing March 15 to Oct. 15, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunrise.
• Boat launching for passage to Calcasieu Lake and vicinity only Oct. 16 to March 14, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
• Fishing and crabbing from the pier open year round sunrise to sunset.
• Cast netting for shrimp from a boat in canals, bayous and ponds must see Louisiana Inshore Shrimp season and regulations, sunrise to sunset.
• When cast netting for bait, bait shrimp limit outside LA inshore shrimp season is one-gallon March 15 to Oct. 15, sunrise to sunset.

Sherburne

• Recreational crawfishing is permitted from March 15 - July 31 with a limit of 100 pounds per person per day. No traps or nets are to be left overnight.
• No motorized watercrafts are allowed on the farm complex.

Soda Lake

That portion west of Twelve Mile Bayou closed to fishing Oct. 1 - March 31.

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX

Full regulations can be found at www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/southwest-louisiana-nwr-complex-fishing-and-boating-regulations.pdf

Spring Bayou

• Recreational fishing regulations are the same as outside. NOTE: Allowed only after 2 p.m., during waterfowl season, EXCEPT allowed after 10 a.m. during early teal season.
• Recreational crawfishing is allowed from March 15 - July 31 and is limited to 100 pounds per person per day. No traps or nets are to be left overnight.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Indian Bayou Area

Commercial and recreational crawfishing is permitted from Oct. 1 - Jan. 31 starting at 12 PM each day and all day from Feb. 1 - July 31 with an additional permit required. The permit is available Jan. 1. Call USACE Port Barre Office for more details 337-585-0853 or visit www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/AtchafalayaBasin.aspx.